::Voices Breaking Boundaries brings artists and issues from countries such as Afghanistan, Bosnia, Colombia, Haiti, and Norway; local communities in West Houston’s large Vietnamese population and Houston’s Third Ward::

Over the years, Voices Breaking Boundaries continues to challenge traditional methods of presenting art by combining our low-budget with cutting edge technology. From our start in a bookstore in southwest Houston where we presented spoken word, uncensored open mic and multi-disciplinary art such as capoeira and African American jazz we have evolved into an organization that is known around Houston and beyond for the ways in which the art we present intersects today’s global, national and local socio-political issues.

We have used basic telephone phonelines to bring in voices such as Naomi Shihab Nye, Arundhati Roy and Ahmed Rashid to our Houston audience through the microphone and for the way in which we give young artists from Lee High School the same billing as internationally known artists such as Farnoosh Moshiri. We believe the world should exist without boundaries and we use art to present our vision of a different world.

After more than six years of presenting programs in Houston , VBB has now set up some basic guidelines for how we operate but we are always willing to go back to the table with new ideas.

Some of the most important programs we offer are: multi-disciplinary performances, visual art exhibits and youth multi-disciplinary workshops that culminate in performances and exhibitions.

Multi-disciplinary performances

Each year, VBB hosts about 9-10 multidisciplinary performances. Each show is theme-based touching on issues such as Palestinian rights, the rise of HIV/AIDS, international peace, etc. All performing arts shows that VBB hosts generally include at least three artistic disciplines ranging from spoken word, digital art, music, film, dance and more. We also a present Cultural Narratives series, through which we present writers, radio personalities and public figures who speak on current socio-political issues. In addition, VBB presents youth performances in public venues or in student high schools. Shows are curated by VBB Board members as well as community participants. There is no formal submission process. If you are interested in presenting/ performing in a show, please contact our office.

Visual Arts

Over the last two years, VBB presented visual art shows in our shotgun house on the Project Row Houses. This year, since we are in a smaller space, VBB is hosting living room shows around Houston and the work we present ranged from photography, print, canvas, sculpture and multi-media.

There is no formal submission process. If you are interested in presenting a show, please contact our office.

Quotes

I got a different perspective on the Bangladesh history and cultural background. Also, yesterday’s films were very enchanting to me, especially The Forgotten Army.
– Audience member, Traveling Film Festival South Asia, February 2001

I thought the format was excellent and the films were wonderful. The panel discussion was informative.
– Audience member, Traveling Film Festival South Asia, February 2001

I am glad to see these kinds of films. It helps our new generation understand the background. We will like to see more like these. Thanks.
–Audience member, Traveling Film Festival South Asia, February 2001

Very informative. Beautifully filmed. Very good forum to bring Hindu’s, Muslim’s, and Christian’s together to express opinions. Also, shed light (some) on underlying tensions of conflicts.
–Audience member, Traveling Film Festival South Asia, February 2001

Thank you for dedicating this time to focus on woman’s issues that are many times ignored. Thank you for putting the effort into putting on this film festival.
–Audience member, Traveling Film Festival South Asia, February 2001

Thanks for the great weekend. It was a real pleasure for me and a great experience. Thanks for all the hard work you did to make it so fantastic an experience.
—Anthony Arnove, Words for Peace, September 2003

I feel very grateful being a part of such a splendid group of artists, and honestly, not just out of politeness, let me exclaim: "I' not worthy!” It was an exhilarating experience for me which I wish to repeat over and over.
—Yvonne Gerych, Flow, February 2003

I really enjoyed working on the show. Lise was amazing to work with, and everyone else was delightful as well. I want to thank you and VBB (especially Shaista Parveen) for inviting me to participate, and I look forward to working with VBB in the future.
–Debra Matthes, Flow, February 2003

The exhibit that VBB asked me to create impassioned me to an extent that I had not felt in years. It drew me out of the funk I felt studying engineering and caused me to switch my major to Visual Art.
–Photographer Eric Hester, Translating Intimacy, March 2004

Thank you again for asking us to do this. It is a very special opportunity for us.
—Paul Hester, Translating Intimacy, March 2004

So glad we came. All the way home we discussed ways we might make ourselves more useful…A stellar event. Truly, truly. How --what can we do? To help VBB DO even more?
—Audience member, Artists and Dissent, May 2004

Thank you for all the hard work the VBB community put into bringing us there… I really appreciated the detail that went into bringing us to Houston. Kudos to VBB! Y’all are a tight community. Our residency with you was one of the best we’ve experienced
– Anida Esguerra, Mango Tribe, Words for Peace, September 2004

The DiverseWorks show was brilliant. I notice that you were taping the show. Is a DVD copy available? What is the cost? I would like a copy… I want to wish you peace and prosperity in all of your future endeavors.
– Audience member, Words for Peace, May 2006

It was a very moving evening last night. The performances were great and there has not been anything as relevant or timely as this in a long time. What a crowd! Congratulations.
–Audience member, Words for Peace, May 2006