Artsy Things to Do Around HOU

I have always been a fan of Houston’s art institutions, like the Houston Ballet, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the free events at Miller Outdoor Theater. I had gone through my life as a native Houstonian, knowing that I was connected to and in support of the Houston arts scene. From big exhibition openings and the yearly Nutcracker showing, to supporting small businesses like Honey Art Cafe and taking arts classes at Glassell and Spring Street Studios.

It wasn’t until I was recently employed at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston that I learned Houston has so much more to offer than I knew. As your newest plug for arts and culture around the city, here are some artsy things to do around HOU right now:

Where We Find Ourselves

Satchel Lee, daughter of the iconic Spike Lee, has recently debuted her first solo exhibition right in Houston called Where We Find Ourselves. It’s a tribute to the legacy of Houston’s Freedmen’s Town– the historic neighborhood that became a refuge for recently freed enslaved people. 

“Through photography, film, architectural modeling, and installation, artist Satchel Lee brings a forensic intimacy to the project, placing the South, and specifically Freedmen’s Town, under a microscope. Lee reveals the physical remnants of a once self-sustaining Black community founded by formerly enslaved people and the brilliance embedded in its spatial and spiritual architecture.”

Where We Find Ourselves is on view for free at Houston Freedmen’s Town Visitor Center through December 4, 2025. 

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

Shameless plug, but the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH) is a completely free museum nestled right in Houston’s museum district. Right now, they have an exhibition by Tomashi Jackson on view called Across the Universe that presents nearly a decade of work across disciplines and will provide an overview of the threads in Jackson’s practice and her varied use of materials. Downstairs, the OUT OF STOCK exhibition– curated by the museum’s teen council– features work from 30 teen artists that explore and respond to our consumer culture. You have time to see Across the Universe as it’s on view now until Spring 2026, but OUT OF STOCK is on view through October 19. See it before it goes!

CAMH also regularly hosts free public programs, drop-in arts and crafts activities, and open studios. The museum not only presents contemporary art, but invites you to engage with and create some yourself! All for $FREE.99. 

Houston Cinema Arts Society

If you’re a total film bro like me, you should check out Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS). They put on the annual Houston Cinema Arts Festival every November, but they host screenings, conversations, and pop-ups year-round. Their programs spotlight indie films, experimental shorts, and projects that you won’t find at your average movie theater.

Untitled Art Fair

If you’re into discovering new artists (or just love a good art fair vibe), Untitled Art Fair is the spot. Originally launched in Miami, they’ve expanded into Houston to showcase contemporary artists, galleries, and collectives in an accessible, welcoming way. “The inaugural Untitled Art, Houston will celebrate the city’s rich cultural fabric through Special Projects, prizes, live podcast panels, institutional presentations, community partnerships, and more. The boutique invitational fair’s mission is to champion creative innovation in contemporary art and reflect Houston’s distinct cultural identity and international reach.” (McKenzie, Visit Houston)

Untitled Art, Houston, a boutique invitational fair, will take place from September 19 through September 21, 2025, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.

Burlesque Classes

Take a Burlesque class at Houston Divine Studio! It’s part workout, part performance art, and 100% confidence boost. The classes are about self-expression and tapping into your sexy, playful side. The instructors here are so nice, fun, and inclusive. Plus, Houston has a bustling burlesque community, so you might find yourself inspired to go see a live show after class. Check out their affordable class packs on Mind Body!

Sesh’s Art Residency

Paintings and wall-hangings adorn the walls of Houston’s 1st female-founded coworking space that inspire and empower our communities of color, women and the LGBTQ+ community. When you’re in the space, take a stroll around. All of the art on our walls were selected via our open call for artists. When you’re not in the mood for a gallery visit, ticketed event, or dance class, find artistic inspiration right where you work.