Social Responsibility

• Policies, Beliefs and Expectations
• Emergency Preparedness
• Governance
• Environmental Stewardship
• Socio-Economic
  • Capacity Building
  • Community Impacts & Engagement
  • Social Investments
    • Art and Culture
    • Education
    • Environment and Conservation
    • Health and Human Services
    • Global Volunteer Awards
• Workforce
• Reporting

Arts and Culture

Marathon partners with performing and visual arts organizations on programming that educates and engages children and links to our values and strategic goals for diversity, education, conservation and environmental stewardship. We look for programs that support local and state curriculum, meet school needs and create excitement around learning and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.

Using Theater to Enhance Education

With Marathon's support, the Alley Theatre is bringing its Performing Arts Education Initiative to Texas City High School and Houston's Carnegie Vanguard High School. The program uses theater to enhance English, writing, literature, social studies, the humanities and fine arts curriculum.

School educators and Alley professional teaching assistants will design a specific arts education experience to empower students to think critically, express opinions and ideas confidently and collaborate effectively.

Defining Houston's Unique Culture Through Music

Marathon is a supporter of Houston Grand Opera's (HGO) Education and Community Engagement Programs for "Mexico 2010," a project that includes the world premiere of the first Mariachi Opera.

"Mexico 2010" is part of HGO's ongoing Song of Houston series and explores the bonds and divisions between the U.S. and Mexico. The series shares the stories of people who define the unique character of Houston. Stories are told through collaborative community and educational projects that push the limits of traditional arts and incorporate music-making, photography, creative writing and visual art.

"Mexico 2010" also includes the world premiere of A Way Home, a new opera for middle and high school students. HGO, Rice University's Center for Education and the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service are creating curriculum-based activities related to the opera for Texas K-12 teachers and students.

Connecting Space and Classical Music

Funding from Marathon will make it possible for the Houston Symphony to distribute a special educational DVD version of its acclaimed multimedia project, "The Planets - An HD Odyssey" to local schools.

The new high-definition film commissioned by the Houston Symphony combines stunning images from NASA's planetary space probes with a dramatic performance by the orchestra of Gustav Holst's symphonic suite, "The Planets." Marathon's support will give students an exciting new way to explore our planetary neighbors and connect with the classical score they inspired.

Preserving African American Artistic Expression

Houston's Ensemble Theatre is dedicated to the preservation of African American artistic expression. Marathon contributes to the theater's Touring Education Program, which presents plays that bridge theater arts with educational and social/personal health issues. We also provide five scholarships for Young Performers sessions taught by accredited teachers and theater professionals.