For the health and safety of our patrons and speakers, masks may be required for indoor in-person Houston Seminar events, and we strongly prefer registrants to be fully vaccinated. Since events are held at a variety of venues with their own policies and protocols, there may be other requirements for some courses. We make every effort to inform guests in a timely manner if there are additional health and safety guidelines they will be asked to follow. Our trips and study tours, particularly those that include shared transportation or plane flights, may also require guidelines beyond those for in-person courses, which will be determined in conjunction with venues, vendors, and local guidelines. We will make every effort to announce these guidelines as far in advance as possible. Thank you for bearing with us as we continue to navigate the world of COVID-19 while bringing enriching experiences to our audiences.
The Houston Seminar was founded in 1977 to stimulate learning and cultural awareness by sponsoring courses on political and social issues and the arts.
The non-profit organization typically offers six to eight lecture series and tours each spring and fall. Topics may include art, music, literature, dance, theater, architecture, psychology, history, politics, the environment, or current trends and events. Courses may take the form of workshops, formal lecture series, symposia, lecture/performances or guided tours. Speakers are well known in their fields and often provide new insights as well as in-depth information for their audiences.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some Houston Seminar programs are being held remotely via Zoom, and many of those are recorded for participants to view after the scheduled program date and time. Scheduling is varied and flexible, with courses taking place at various times of day. Some courses are complete in one or two sessions. Others meet weekly or every other week for several weeks.
Formal lectures usually include a question-and-answer period. Lecture performances feature musicians, actors, directors or critics. Guided tours provide behind-the-scenes viewing of art collections, focused community project visits, architectural walks and over-looked places. Occasional study tours offer carefully planned, thoughtfully paced group travel.
A volunteer Board of Directors organizes all courses and publishes seasonal brochures and fliers. Attendance fees cover honoraria, expenses and overhead. Reduced fees are often available for students and teachers.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- Vera Baker
- Gina Barrios
- Marcela Descalzi Brave
- Barbara Catechis
- Janet Clark
- Liz Crowell
- Erika de la Garza
- Anne Furse
- Marta Galicki
- Gastonia “Terri” Goodman
- Sis Johnson
- Lynn Kelly
- Rainey Knudson
- Marley Lott
- Nancy Manderson
- Hadia Mawlawi
- Judy Nyquist
- Carlisle Vandervoort
- Bess Wareing
- Vallette Windham
ADVISORY BOARD
- Gail Adler
- Nancy Crow Allen
- Diane Cannon
- Bettie Cartwright
- Jan Cato
- Kathleen Huggins Clarke
- Sandy Godfrey
- Kate Hawk
- Nancy F. Haywood
- Pamela Howard
- Josephine John
- Emilie S. Kilgore
- Gaye V. McCullough
- Evelyn Thomas Nolen
- Ann Norwood
- Mary Flood Nugent
- Beverly “Sam” Ramirez
- Louisa Stude Sarofim
- Anne Schlumberger
- Jacqueline Andre Schmeal
- Dorothea Shaddock
- Hinda Simon
- Barbara Sklar
- Josephine Powell Smith
- Ginger Teague
- Gay Tigner
- Emily Todd