Sara Hickman is a longtime Austin-based musician, educator, and advocate whose career has been rooted in creativity and community impact. Named the Official Texas State Musician in 2010, she has been recording, performing, and touring since 1988, with more than 20 albums and a Grammy nomination to her name.
Beyond her work in music, Sara has dedicated much of her life to service. Through performances and creative projects, she has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for nonprofit organizations supporting housing, health, youth, and community care. Her commitment to giving back extends into her work as a teacher, mentor, and speaker, where she shares her experience in songwriting, creativity, and the music industry.
Sara’s path into service began early, volunteering as a teenager performing music for youth in psychiatric care settings. That experience led her to become a professional music and art therapist, earning a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Music Therapists.
In addition to her artistic and therapeutic work, Sara has played a key role in historic preservation and community building. She has helped lead efforts to restore the former Palacios Colored School—originally established during segregation—into what is now the Sanford Community Center, a space dedicated to honoring local history and serving the broader community.
Sara brings to iACT a deep belief in the power of creativity, compassion, and collective action to strengthen communities and create meaningful change.