There’s no bigger testament to Houston being a national—no, international—city than its thriving art scene. Works from the world’s most influential artists, past and present, cycle through the Museum District, officially formed in 1997 and made up today of 19 museums, all within walking distance of each other. Its spaces connect residents and tourists alike to a sense of shared humanity through visual art, science, and history.

But where Houston sprawls, so does its art. There are more museums, cultural institutions and events, and local artists outside the Museum District than within it. In the following pages, we peel back the curtain and dig deeper into Houston’s multifaceted art scene. Tracing its roots to a spontaneous gathering of makers and readers 30 years ago, Zine Fest Houston is a delightfully quirky slice of the local alt-art community, where pro zinemakers and amateurs put pen and scissors to paper to create pieces that are relatable, often funny, always inspiring—and that you can actually afford to buy. Project Row Houses in Third Ward is also celebrating the big 3-0. We look at how the nonprofit’s purpose goes way beyond exhibiting art, notably through its initiatives that aim to engage and preserve the historically African American community around it. Houston’s art scene has also spilled into people’s homes: we speak with artists who have turned their residences into galleries in order to showcase the work of emerging talents.

Fear not: you will still find pieces of the Museum District in this issue. We examine what our city’s cultural powerhouses are doing to make art more accessible, whether that’s better accommodating people with disabilities or making programming available free of charge. Finally, the Museum District would not be what it is without the people who work in it day in, day out: the docents, exhibition designers, archivists, registrars, preparators, receptionists, content strategists, event planners, security guards, and so on. We tracked down a handful of them to learn more about what they do—spot them sprinkled throughout these pages, among many other fun surprises. —Emma Balter 

Houston’s Cultural Institutions Tackle Art Accessibility

It’s no secret that Houston has a world-class arts scene, but what does it take for it to be truly accessible to all? From welcoming people with disabilities to translating materials in other languages, here’s what local museums and cultural institutions are doing—and what they need to improve. By Geneva Diaz

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Houstonians Are Opening Their Homes to Emerging Artists

Did you know that more and more art galleries in Houston are hosted in people’s homes? These alternative spaces have long been a feature of the city’s underground art scene. Take a look inside. By Daniel Renfrow

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What It’s Really Like to Work in a Houston Museum

Houston’s Museum District wouldn’t be what it is without the people who work there day in, day out. We spoke with an exhibit designer, an archivist, a preparator, a docent, and even a social media team to get a peek at what their jobs are like. By Emma Balter and Geneva Diaz

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How Project Row Houses Transformed Houston’s Third Ward

One of Houston’s most important cultural institutions, Project Row Houses, celebrated its 30-year anniversary this year. The row house–style galleries in Third Ward are more than just a place to view art. Here’s how the organization created an infinite loop between its work and the community. By Jennifer Stewart

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How Two Houston Artists Fell in Love through Their Art

Houston-based artists JooYoung Choi and Trenton Doyle Hancock are total couple goals. Their meet-cute almost didn’t happen, but through a twist of fate and last-minute decision, their partnership has now been going strong since 2010. By Meredith Nudo

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Zine Fest Houston’s Nebulous History Is All Part of Its Legacy

It’s the 30th anniversary of Zine Fest Houston this year … kinda. The history of the event has more folds than, well, a zine. We take a look back at how it all started, at a small gathering in Hermann Park in 1993. By Daniel Renfrow

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Houston’s Latest Murals Tell the Story of the City

Houston's art scene isn't just confined to museums and performing arts venues. It's all around us. The city has been going through somewhat of a mural renaissance lately, with sprawling, ambitious projects painting over downtown, and smaller ones tucked away for discerning eyes to find. Photography by Anthony Rathbun aND Text By Emma Balter