In the spring of 2005, the Founding Directors of TWAC, including Dr. David Gottlieb, Alex Sutton, Jerry Macdonald with The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and Nick Wolda with Visit The Woodlands, met to discuss creating a fine arts festival along the Waterway in The Woodlands, Texas. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion had a self-contained arts show featuring Texas artists, and the dream was to expand this show with participation from artists around the world. At the time, no major festival existed along the Waterway, and they believed this would be an ideal next step for the new community space. This conversation led to discussions with The Art Colony, producers of the Houston Bayou Arts Festival, to help produce the first fine arts festival in The Woodlands.
The Woodlands Arts Council, Inc. (TWAC) is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2005. Our mission is to provide cultural and educational enrichment opportunities that encourage, support, and promote the performing and visual arts in the region.
Over the last 18 years we have sustained and fulfilled our mission through dynamic programming including events for the community, student art scholarships, educational performances, microgrants and public art. We were established "Because Art Matters" but everyday The Woodlands Arts Council makes art matter. This impact is only possible with the incredibly generous support of our volunteers, donors, and sponsors.
In 2023, The Woodlands Arts Council moved into our first official space. Previously run out of volunteers and staff members' homes and donated offices, this space will be the first to allow TWAC to hold events, build our staff, expand our programs, and offer local support to the creative community.