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Make a top ten list of cities in the United States with the fine arts institutions (museums, theatres, art galleries, etc.)
1. New York City
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Chicago
4. Philadelphia
5. Boston
6. San Francisco
7. Seattle
8. Los Angeles
9. Cleveland
10. Houston
I am glad to see that Cleveland didn't get overlooked in many of the lists that people came up with. The second largest performing arts center in the country has to count for something
3. Houston doesn't have any really top architecture movements present or symbolic of the city or top architecture firms based in the city, that I am aware of. Are there any?
Philip Johnson had a very LONG history with the city of Houston. Although his firm was based out of New York, his influence on Houston architecture can be compared Mies van der Rohe in Chicago or Le Corbusier in Paris (not that I'm trying to put Houston's architecture on the same level as either one of those two cities.) Houston was actually a very pivotal city during the Post-modern movement which included Phillip Johnson. The caliber of our Post-modern architecture is very much comparable to the art deco scene in Miami. Not to mention, we also have two of the best architecture schools in the country at Rice and University of Houston. As far as architecture firms, check out Morris, Innerloop, and PageSoutherlandPage. Those are the first ones that come to mind at least.
I would say the most notable museum, however, is one of our smallest - The Menil Collection. It's probably a testament to Houston's eclectic/urban style, but it houses some of the more famous modern European works of art (which probably should be kept in MoMA if it weren't kept here). Rothko chapel is nearby, again highlighting the "abstract expressionist" style often found around the city. Coming from the same modernist ideals, Philip Johnson designed a number of the city's prominent buildings. I like it, to say the least.
Ironically, Phillip Johnson actually did the original designs for the Rothko Chapel and he also designed St. Thomas' campus which is like a block away from the Manil.
Location: The land of sugar... previously Houston and Austin
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scarface713
The Houston Theater District is separate and in Downtown (second to NYC in theater seats in a DT area).
Yes, the Houston theater district is 2nd in size after Broadway I believe, and the museum district is in the top 4 or 5 (and the city ranks 3rd I think in volume of fine arts museum space.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by potato head8
Houston, as urban as it is, has a bit of an underground, industrial, minimalist art subculture. But I would say the style is limited to independent non-profit art organizations like DiverseWorks, Barnevelder, Aurora Picture Show, FotoFest, and the like.
Definitely, and don't forget the Orange Show (http://www.orangeshow.org/art-car-weekend-poster/ - broken link).
Quote:
Originally Posted by potato head8
Regarding established theater & museum institutions, Houston has a pretty thorough selection with a ballet, symphony, theater co, and opera.
One of a handful or so cities in the country to have all four permanent, year-round companies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by potato head8
The museums are good, with the MFAH having acquired a rather large endowment.
I would say the most notable museum, however, is one of our smallest - The Menil Collection. It's probably a testament to Houston's eclectic/urban style, but it houses some of the more famous modern European works of art (which probably should be kept in MoMA if it weren't kept here). Rothko chapel is nearby, again highlighting the "abstract expressionist" style often found around the city. Coming from the same modernist ideals, Philip Johnson designed a number of the city's prominent buildings.
Just curious...what brings you to this conclusion? I would be the two cities are pretty even in this contest.
Unfortunately or fortunately ATL's culture comes from its media prominence, not from it's fine arts and that's not a knock on ATL's scene. Houston has a vibrant and well endowed fine art scene, both public and private. Houston and ATL have areas in which the are superior in, fine arts just isn't one of them for ATL. Houston should really be around number 5 on the list instead of the tail end.
1. NYC
2. Chicago
3. LA
4. Cleveland
5. Boston
6. San Francisco
7. Washington, D.C.
8. Detroit
9. Philly
10. Houston
IMO
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