Future Front Texas: A Decade of Cultivating Community Through Art
Meet the creative collective supporting emerging artists and makers through markets, exhibitions and community-based programming
In the heart of Austin’s vibrant art scene, Future Front Texas stands as a testament to the power of grassroots community building. As the organization celebrates its fourth year under the Future Front Texas name and a remarkable decade since its inception, its impact on Austin’s cultural landscape continues to grow and evolve.
From meetup to movement
What began as a simple question posed by Jane Hervey during her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas has blossomed into a community arts organization that welcomes over 20,000 visitors annually across three seasons of programming.
“I was doing this study when I was in college at UT about barriers to people feeling like they can be creative or that they’re a part of the arts and culture industry,” explains Hervey, Future Front Texas’ founding Executive Director. “I just thought it wasn’t possible that I wasn’t reflected in culture and that my voice wasn’t wanted. Where was that even coming from?”
This curiosity led to the first Boss Babes ATX meetup in 2015, centered around a simple premise: bringing together women and feminine-identifying creatives making “really cool stuff” in Austin’s creative industries.
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From that initial gathering, the project grew organically, with participants supporting each other’s work and generating ideas for workshops, markets and festivals. After three years, Hervey and a core team of dedicated volunteers recognized they had built something far beyond a meetup series. In 2021, they relaunched as Future Front Texas, establishing a formal nonprofit organization to continue their mission.
A homegrown arts ecosystem
At its core, Future Front Texas models the value of local art and creativity. Through flagship exhibitions like the Front Market, the organization platforms independent artists, craft people, musicians, filmmakers, storytellers and creatives of all disciplines.
“It’s all about modeling the value of local art and creativity and the way that accessing local art and knowing the artists and creatives in your community can unlock your own creativity and curiosity as an individual,” Hervey shares. “That’s just vital to dreaming the future, to seeing yourself reflected in the communities that you live in.”
The organization’s commitment to Texas roots runs deep. Board President Xochi Solis, who joined the team after attending one of their early events, brings nearly two decades of experience working in Austin’s creative ecosystem.
“We’re really specific about being homegrown here in Texas and how those stories we can carry through,” says Solis. “Despite changes to the built environment or people leaving the city, there is work to be done to maintain the legacy of these stories and what was here before.”
Measurable impact
Over the past decade, Future Front Texas has distributed more than a million dollars in commissions to local artists and creatives. Beyond the financial investment, their greatest impact may be inspiring others to advocate for their communities.
“Our organization alone has inspired the formation of more than a hundred other creative collectives across central Texas,” Hervey notes. “We’re signaling, ‘Hey, you can do this too. You can advocate for local artists, creativity, and curiosity.'”
Their events have become launchpads for creative entrepreneurs. The Front Market, their biannual craft fair, has welcomed more than 30,000 visitors and 2,400 makers and designers over the past five years, with many vendors going on to establish successful brick-and-mortar businesses.
What’s next for Future Front Texas
As Future Front Texas celebrates this milestone year, they’re continuing to grow their vision. The Spring Front Market, taking place May 3-4 at Distribution Hall, will feature over 175 different pop-up booths, daily DJs, interactive activities including an air-dry clay station and a community coloring area.
For Hervey, Solis, and their team of five staff members and approximately 100 annual volunteers, the future is about expanding their reach while staying true to their grassroots origins.
“We’re trying to be that creative community hub where you can explore and meet local artists and creatives and see yourself reflected in your community,” Hervey says. “The future is now. We can support each other right now. We can shout out the artists and the creatives we love who are inspiring us right now.”
In a rapidly changing Austin, Future Front Texas remains committed to preserving the city’s creative spirit while helping shape its cultural future.
For more information about the Spring Front Market on May 3-4 and other upcoming events, visit Future Front Texas online.