Mission, History & Staff
Our Mission
The Houston Museum District Association is dedicated to collaborative efforts that maximize use of the artistic, scientific and educational resources of Houston Museum District institutions by all citizens of and visitors to Houston.
Our History
Eleven institutions formed the Houston Museum District Association on January 27, 1997 and received the IRS 501 (c) (3) designation as of August 22, 1997 (HMDA Form 990 2016). Five new museums joined the District in June 2002 and two more in April 2007. The District is now comprised of the following 19 museums located within an approximate 1.5-mile radius of the Mecom Fountain in Hermann Park:
- Asia Society Texas Center
- Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
- Children’s Museum of Houston
- Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
- Czech Center Museum Houston
- DiverseWorks
- Holocaust Museum Houston
- Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
- Houston Center for Photography
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Houston Zoo, Inc.
- The Health Museum
- The Jung Center of Houston
- Lawndale Art Center
- The Menil Collection
- Museum of African American Culture Center
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- Rice University Art Gallery
- The Rothko Chapel
Staff
Julie Farr, Executive Director
Julie Farr, Executive Director of Houston Museum District Association, brings extensive nonprofit experience to the cultural sector. She holds a degree from Marywood University in Advertising Design and from the Pennsylvania State University where she trained as a fine art photographer. For many years, she owned an award winning commercial and fine arts photography studio while serving on a number of nonprofit boards in the northeast. Farr serves on the Board of Directors of Texans for the Arts, Houston Arts Alliance and the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau.
In 2007, Farr joined the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) as Executive Director where she led strategic planning, fundraising campaigns and established programs. She served as a Board Member and Chair of the Policy and PR & Marketing Committees of the Houston Museum District while participating in review panels for the Texas Commission on the Arts, Houston Arts Alliance and Wallace Foundation. She has been a member of Houston Arts Alliance’s Programs and Services Committee and the Capacity Building Initiative. Farr was on the Board of the Midtown Management District and served as co-chair of the Cultural Arts Committee – initiating a cultural component for the district’s 10 Year Service Plan.
Contact Us:
We would love to hear from you! Email Executive Director, Julie Farr: director@houstonmuseumdistrict.org