Arts and Culture at UH

The University of Houston is situated in the heart of Houston, the fourth most populous and the most ethnically and racially diverse city in the U.S. It is said that 145 languages are spoken in Houston, with many found on the UH campus.

In this richly vibrant intercultural environment, creativity, collaboration, and artistic expression of every kind grow and take root, both on-campus and in the surrounding community. World-class musicians, artists, and performers teach, mentor and share their artistic exploration in the classroom and the many exhibition spaces on campus.

On-Campus Visual Arts

The University of Houston is home to several exhibition spaces open to faculty, guest artists and students, and a vibrant collection of Public Art, installed throughout UH’s 6 campuses and instructional sites. Founded in 1973, the Blaffer Art Museum is the gateway between the University of Houston’s Central campus and the City of Houston. Through its exhibitions, publications and public programs, the Blaffer furthers the understanding of contemporary art as a catalyst for creative innovation, dialogue and participation. Its exhibitions and programs are free and open to the public. The Katherine G. McGovern College of the Arts School of Art students study in classrooms adjacent to these exhibit spaces. A highlight of spring semester are the MFA thesis exhibition and the year-end undergraduate exhibition.

Performing Arts at UH

Moores School of Music Moores Opera House hosts a regular schedule of concerts, recitals, and opera Additional spaces are the Dudley Recital Hall

On the other side of campus, the Cullen Performance Hall and the Student Center Theater enliven campus life with comedy, dance, and film presentations. Student organizations present lectures, festivals, and cultural celebrations (such as the Cultural Catwalk and A Taste of Houston), offering frequent opportunities to learn and engage with the rich diversity of experience at UH.

Houston Area Museums and Exhibition/Performing Arts Spaces

Houston has more than 500 cultural, visual, and performing arts organizations, 90 of which are devoted to multicultural and minority arts.

Houston’s renowned Museum District has 19 museums within walking distance. Houston is one of five cities in the United States with resident, top-tier professional companies in the four disciplines of the performing arts: ballet, opera, symphony, and theater.

Major visual and performing arts organizations in Houston include MFAH, The Menil Collection, Houston Ballet, Houston Opera and Houston Symphony, while numerous smaller companies (Apollo Chamber Players, DaCamera, Ars Lyrica, TUTS, HITS) perform chamber music, jazz, and musicals. Miller Outdoor Theater provides world-class entertainment free in a historic outdoor venue in the middle of Hermann Park. “niche” museums like the Contemporary Craft Museum, the Czech Museum, the Funeral Museum and the Art Car Museum delight visitors with special exhibitions and programs. In Houston’s historic Third Ward, African American history comes alive and continues to be made at the Buffalo Soldiers Museum, Project Row Houses, the Eldorado Ballroom and Emancipation Park. Film buffs can catch screenings of classic vintage films, new international releases and topical documentaries at MFAH and the Houston Cinema Arts Society.