Outspoken Bean is Houston's 2021-2023 Poet Laureate and The Academy of American Poets Poet Laureate Fellow 2022-2024. The New Jersey born, San Antonio raised, H-Town based military brat was introduced to the arts and world cultures at a very young age and has not let go of it. "An energetic pioneer for poetry, in all its different sizes and shapes, Bean is dedicated to making sure that poets get heard," Emily Hinds of Arts and Culture Magazine wrote of Bean. Bean uses poetry to engage different mediums and institutions to create new and engaging art, such as being the first poet to perform on Houston Ballet's main stage with their production "Play."
Our teaching artists can be seen throughout HGO’s community and learning initiatives in schools and across the city.