The Bigger Change project is a collaboration between Central Houston, Inc., a local economic development organization, and Street Art for Mankind, a global non-profit organization that seeks to bring about social change through art. Funded in part by TotalEnergies, a global company with an office in Houston, the project was conceived by Harris County District 1 commissioner Rodney Ellis. Ellis then went to downtown Houston to organize an art walk, which led to the creation of Big Art. The Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) is responsible for investigating vandalism and removing it from METRO facilities, buses, train cars, bus carports, bus canopies, benches, railway platforms and signs.
The president and CEO of downtown Houston, Kris Larson, whose company is an economic development organization that represents the interests of the city center, said that additional murals may be added next year. The Greater East End Management District (GEEMD) maintains a successful graffiti reduction program. The Department of Neighborhood Inspections and Public Services (IPS), a division of the Department of Neighborhoods, oversees the reduction of graffiti on residential and commercial properties. The Keep America Beautiful Graffiti Hurts program provides communities with educational and programming tools to reduce the incidence and severity of graffiti and labeling.
The Department of Public Works and Engineering removes graffiti from traffic signs, traffic signal monitoring monitors, and assigned properties and facilities. This series is made possible by a partnership with Downtown Houston and Total Energies and the support of the City of Houston and Harris County. Discover a unique art walk with 8 spectacular murals that reflect the creativity, diversity and resilience of this incredible community. The themes chosen for each mural are inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the diversity of the local community and the empowerment of local people and organizations that make a difference in Houston and around the world.
The Bigger Change project is an inspiring collaboration between multiple organizations in Harris County. From Central Houston Inc., to Street Art for Mankind, to TotalEnergies, to METRO, to GEEMD, to IPS, to Keep America Beautiful, to the Department of Public Works and Engineering – each organization has played an important role in creating murals and graffiti that reflect the creativity, diversity and resilience of this incredible community. The Bigger Change project has been made possible by a partnership between Downtown Houston and Total Energies as well as support from the City of Houston and Harris County. Through this collaboration, nine larger-than-real works will be presented in the city center this fall as part of Big Art.
These works include Lula Goce's “The Shaman” – a tribute to women who have maintained knowledge of nature throughout history – as well as Case Maclaim's “King of Road” – an ode to social equity. By working together with multiple organizations in Harris County, Bigger Change has been able to create murals that reflect the creativity, diversity and resilience of this incredible community. Through their efforts, they have been able to bring about social change through art while also providing access to new opportunities for all.
