by Shelby Hodge
CultureMap Houston

The stage of Zilkha Hall at Hobby Center was packed with leaders of the arts, business and legislative communities Tuesday night when the Houston Arts Alliance held its biennial reception spotlighting the economic benefits of the city's arts community, not the least of which is 150,000 jobs.

Mayor Annise Parker and City Controller Ron Green praised the contributions of the arts to the city and applauded recent additions to the scene —Houston Ballet's Center for Dance, the Asia Society's new home and the new facility for the Houston Buffalo Soldiers Museum, each of which was built during the national recession.

In addition to seven city council members, HAA CEO Jonathon Glus and HAA board chairman Marshal Lightman helped spread the word on the organization that works as a public arts agency for the city by distributing more than $3 million in grants to some 250 non-profit arts organizations and individuals.

Helping celebrate the rich trove of arts were Texas Commission on the Arts exec Gary Gibbs, Joe Dilg, Judy Nyquist, Greg Ortale, Minnette Boesel, John Guess and Peter Brown.