A crowd of more than two hundred, including city officials, arts organization leaders and business representatives, attended Thursday evening's Arts Reception in the Founder's Room at Hobby Center. The event provided an excellent opportunity for a diverse cross-section of Houston's arts-vested community to meet and mingle.

(In the pic: Jonathon Glus, CEO, Houston Arts Alliance; Fabené Welch, Chair, Houston Arts Alliance Board of Directors; Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker; Houston Controller Ronald C. Green.)

After introductions by Houston Arts Alliance Board Chair Fabené Welch, Mayor Annise Parker spoke. Mayor Parker firmly stated her belief that the arts are good for business, that they bring in visitors, stimulate cultural tourism, and provide an environment to attract business and students to Houston. She also iterated the need to get this message out, that the arts boost the bottom line. Mayor Parker complimented HAA on making the arts funding process clear and transparent, especially in a time when arts funding is under attack. In closing, she challenged the attendees to recommit to civic engagement, because the city is all in this together.

Houston Controller Ronald Green next took the podium and recognized the city employees in attendance. Houston is a great place for the arts, and he voiced the necessity to communicate this both inside and outside the city. Controller Green reasserted the need to advocate for the arts, because Houston cannot attract business without a good quality of life and the arts are what make the city a good place to live.

Last to speak was Houston Arts Alliance CEO Jonathon Glus, and he noted that for every dollar spent in the arts, there is a seven dollar return on investment. He also spoke of the ephemeral element, that the arts are the soul of a city, and he thanked Mayor Parker and the city government for supporting the arts.