Since opening in 2017, the Moody Center for the Arts has been a site for synthesizing Rice's intellectual capital, Houston's community spirit, and artists' creative insight into meaningful connections and critical dialogue. As the founding director, it was these catalyzing outcomes that guided my stewardship for over a decade. Now, what began as a bold vision for innovative pedagogy and open engagement is the daily reality of the Moody's impact.
Like Houston, the Moody is many things. It is at once an artist studio, research lab, college classroom, performance space, and community art center—and exists in multiple places— within the building, across campus, and as a constituent in the constellation of national academic galleries and local art spaces. The multiplicity that defines the Moody is a measure of its ambition, ensuring the public, faculty, and students have multiple entry points into the transformative intersection of art and research.
To that end, the Moody has created dynamic programming and thought-provoking exhibitions; expanded the permanent art collection; and proactively brought site-responsive works to where the campus community studies, works, and lives.
Through the Moody, you are invited to be an integral part of Rice's mission to support discovery in and outside the classroom, contribute to a thriving urban community, and champion creative, cross-disciplinary innovation. As that work continues, I look forward to seeing how it evolves in the years to come.
Alison Weaver
Founding Suzanne Deal Booth Executive Director
Moody Center for the Arts
Rice University