Creative Waco
Creative Waco: City Growth Solid Gold Neighbor
Krista Brinser, Assistant Director, Community Relations
Every day on the commute to work I pass Waco's Sculpture Zoo installation—28 distinct sculptures of animals trailing Brazos River through Cameron Park and I pass 1,000 Hopes for Waco, a mural of a stylized paper crane taking flight from downtown streets – located on the corner of University Parks Drive and Jackson Avenue.The Sculpture Zoo broke ground in 2019, and serves as a welcoming guide through Cameron Park up to the entrance of Cameron Park Zoo. The mural came to life in 2018, painted on the side of one of Waco's then-newest downtown retail developments. These works of art not only fascinate visitors to our city, but draw Wacoans downtown to explore our city center in new ways. As the city continues to develop rapidly–from infrastructure to industry – so does the local arts scene, through public art, festivals and events.
In 2016, the City of Waco received a Cultural District designation from the Texas Commission on the Arts, championed by Fiona Bond, executive director of Creative Waco – Waco's local arts agency. The Cultural District designation allows cities and organizations to harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community revitalization, something the greater-Waco community has embraced with open arms.
Creative Waco is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2015, with a mission to grow and support a thriving cultural and creative community in Waco and McLennan County. Day to day, Creative Waco implements Waco's Cultural Plan, working to grow and support sustainable arts organizations, developing a hub of cultural activity in downtown Waco and engaging the creative sector in revitalization, entrepreneurship and economic development.
Evidence of their success is painted all over town. Regularly, programs hosted by Creative Waco strengthen and train veteran and aspiring artists. Under their guidance, murals grace city walls. They champion displays of public art and performances, whether permanent installations, or festivals that increase public access. Creative Waco seeks to be a resource that enhances all aspects of cultural life—from fine arts to museums and beyond.
Be sure to follow them on social media to stay up to date on upcoming projects and opportunities as they carry out their mission to grow and support a thriving cultural and creative community in Waco!
Get involved!
Visit creativewaco.org for information about programs, events and partner organizations.
In April, be sure to mark your calendars for the 2020 Chalk Waco Chalk Art Festival, where artists will be taking over the downtown cultural district in advance of the 40,000 + Silo District Marathon visitors. Sponsorship opportunities are available!