In 2005, the Founding Directors of The Woodlands Arts Council (TWAC)—including Dr. David Gottlieb, Alex Sutton, Jerry MacDonald of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and Nick Wolda of Visit The Woodlands—gathered with a bold vision: to create a fine arts festival along The Woodlands Waterway. At the time, the Pavilion hosted a smaller, Texas-focused arts show, but the dream was to expand it into an international event that would bring artists from around the world to our community. With guidance from The Art Colony, producers of Houston’s Bayou City Art Festival, that vision came to life as the very first fine arts festival in The Woodlands.
TWAC was officially established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2005 with a mission to provide cultural and educational enrichment opportunities that encourage, support, and promote the performing and visual arts. For nearly two decades, we have fulfilled this mission through diverse and dynamic programming—ranging from student art scholarships and educational performances to public art, microgrants, and beloved community events.
Founded “Because Art Matters,” TWAC continues to make art matter every day. None of this impact would be possible without the generosity of our volunteers, donors, and sponsors who believe in the power of the arts.
In 2023, TWAC reached a milestone by moving into its first permanent home. After years of operating from volunteers’ homes and donated office space, this new location provides room to host events, grow our team, expand programming, and deepen our support for the creative community of The Woodlands and beyond.