BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A tour of the historic and artistic parts of Brownsville by the Texas Commission on the Arts was a big success, says one of its members.
Diane Milliken Garza, CEO of the RGV Philanthropic Foundation, said the aim of the visit was to get Brownsville officially designated as a state recognized Cultural District.
“Learning who we are and who they are is what nurturing relationships is all about. Relationships bring advocacy, good will and solidarity. As I drove them around for their two day visit, I had plenty of time to introduce them to the history, the charm, the talent, the beautiful uniqueness that is our beautiful Border home,” Milliken Garza said. “Their understanding of who we are and what we have to offer in the world of art and culture was carried back with them. We will not be forgotten.”
Milliken Garza said she is “very grateful” to Gov. Greg Abbott for appointing her to the Texas Commission on the Arts.
“I have spent my entire adult life working in local philanthropy, either as a volunteer board member or most recently as the CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Philanthropic Foundation. Discovering that the key to prosperity and the sustainability of that prosperity is cultural tourism has been pivotal in my philanthropic journey. All of this only comes about because of and through the arts,” Milliken Garza said.
“The arts are the only thing that you can fund once and it then funds itself through cultural tourism… and local tourism… if you do it right. I am grateful to my colleagues in our state level art organizations for accepting my invitation to come and help us reimagine the use of our beautiful local talent to capture more and continuing cultural tourism. It is not a thing they do often as Texas has a million towns.”
Milliken Garza said one of the things she felt compelled to do was reassure those visiting from other parts of Texas that Brownsville was safe.
“I told them about the numbers in the FBI reports on violent crime and how our border cities have almost no violent crime…and then through some crazy alignment of the stars, the newest FBI report on violent crime was published yesterday and they happened to see it. Their email telling me they saw it and immediately noticed it was in my inbox this morning How does that even happen? We are living in a truly magical and blessed place.”
On the first day of the visit the guests were taken to Jolie Petite restaurant for lunch. Many Brownsville leaders involved in the arts were present, along with Mayor John Cowen, Jr., and City Manager Helen Ramirez. Every one at the event was asked to give a few remarks.
Cowen said: “I firmly believe that our art, culture and history are what makes Brownsville better. And I think a true measure of a city is how we support those endeavors. We have got to collaborate, we’ve got to find public private partnerships, we have got to be creative.”
Cowen added: “We are a growing city. We are fortunate to be one of the fastest growing cities in the country and we have to absolutely make sure that our art and culture and history are at the forefront. Thank you all for being here.”
In her remarks, Ramirez touted the City of Brownsville’s One City initiative. She said if the City, the economic development groups, nonprofits and UT-Rio Grande Valley can come together “we can really accelerate what we want to accomplish.”
Ramirez said the City of Brownsville is currently focused on “non-sexy” projects such as money, water, wastewater, and the Public Utilities Board. “What we need is a $100 million in investment, in terms of infrastructure, to really take us to where we need to be. She said downtown Brownsville benefit from this.
“What is so special about Brownsville is its history. It is 170 years old. In many cities, Main Street USA could be anywhere. The malls, there is noting really unique about them,” Ramirez said, in her remarks to the group. “You are helping to building something very unique. I really want you to think about how every one of us contributes to the future. I don’t think we are going to have to wait ten years. I think it will be three to five years.”
Ramirez urged those in the arts and culture sector to participate in the City’s new Downtown Master Plan initiative. “You are a big part of it. Please be a part of it,” she said.
Gary Gibbs is executive director of the Texas Commission on the Arts. In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian at the start of the group’s visit, Gibbs said Brownsville has a lot to offer.
“We’re taking a tour of downtown Brownsville to see all the cultural amenities that are here and help advise the community on how to move forward in their revitalization. There's a rich cultural tradition here in the Valley and specifically in Brownsville, and it's something to celebrate.”
Gibbs said he was “very impressed” to see a large turnout of arts and culture supporters at the Jolie Petite luncheon. “It is great to to see such a large collection of people that are passionate and ardent about the arts and with that kind of support only good things that can come of it.”
Gibbs said he has visited Brownsville at least seven times before as part of the Texas Commission on the Arts. He said he is aware of Brownsville’s goal to become a state recognized Cultural District.
“I am aware of that goal. Our agency, the Texas Commission on the Arts, legislatively, is empowered to designate cultural districts, and we currently have 57 of them in various communities across the state. We hope to help Brownsville attain that status as well.”
Editor's Note: The above news story was penned by Ron Whitlock of Ron Whitlock Reports.
Editor's Note: Here is a video recording of the Guardian's interview with Gary Gibbs:
