The Collective was founded in 1987 by artist
Michelle Barnes and
Texas Southern University professor Dr. Sarah Trotty as an exhibition space for professional African American artists in Houston, especially African American women artists. It has become a platform for emerging artists that also provides educational workshops for children and adults in collaboration with organizations such as
Project Row Houses and
SHAPE Community Center. Prior to founding the Collective, Barnes in 1983 founded the Barnes-Blackman Gallery in partnership with
The Ensemble Theatre with art shown part-time in the theater's lobby prior to each performance. Its purpose was to bring "the African-American community into the arts at every level, from making art to administering programs." The Barnes-Blackman Gallery moved to the Collective's first location at 1501 Elgin near La Branch in November 1989, with the first show taking place on February 11, 1990, in conjunction with
Houston Fotofest. There was no heat and no working toilets in the building that had been vacant for years before being leased by Barnes, so she was able to negotiate a lower rent in exchange for renovating the building. In 2005 the organization held a "Fun Razing" benefit party to celebrate the demolition of the old building with plans to replace it with a $22 million, 100,000 square foot building with 8,500 square feet for the Collective. The Collective is a founding member of the Third Ward Community Cloth Cooperative, which was established in 1992. It relocated to the Midtown Art Center Tea Room at 1413 Holman at La Branch for a period of time from around 2008 until 2014. The Collective was located at 4101 San Jacinto from 2015 to 2024. It is currently located at 4111 Fannin Street. == Programs ==