DiverseWorks

Houston, TX

Founded by artists, DiverseWorks (DW) is known for its groundbreaking artistic programming, meaningful engagement with communities, and advancement of art and ideas in Houston and the nation. DW is a forum for innovative visual art that compels viewers to broaden their definitions of what art can be and do. DW is participating in National Art Strategies’ The Project cohort to develop new organizational structures for art nonprofits nationwide. Committed to equitable pay for artists, DW has been W.A.G.E. certified since 2013.

DiverseWorks is conducting feasibility, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction studies for a new climate-forward headquarters for the arts: DiverseWorks Climate-Forward HQ. The project, developed in collaboration with another Houston nonprofit, Lawndale, will serve as the first carbon net-positive facility for the arts in the city and allow DW to support artists and communities to advance conversations around climate change and build a sustainable future for the arts in Houston. The space will demonstrate regional, accessible, and low-cost strategies for sustainable design and will serve as a resilience hub, supporting community needs in extreme events and through climate-focused programming throughout the year. The proposed project would be housed on the site of a former gasoline filling station—remediating the site and supporting community revitalization with its adjacency to other arts organizations.

Milestones:

• Develop a strategy for a carbon neutral building with a stretch goal of producing more energy than the building uses (carbon positive)

• Certification feasibility for LEED or another third-party verified certification, including exploring the parameters required to serve as a community resilience hub

• An actionable plan to move forward in a collaborative partnership with Lawndale to design and build a climate-forward DiverseWorks HQ

• Model a new kind of collaborative partnership between arts organizations