Mission
The Contemporary Art Museum for Austin
Mission: The Contemporary Austin reflects the spectrum of contemporary art through exhibitions, commissions, education, and the collection.
Vision: The Contemporary Austin aspires to be the contemporary art museum for Austin and an essential part of city life. Through its unique combination of urban and outdoor sites, The Contemporary will embody an eclectic and collaborative spirit.
History
The Contemporary Austin comprises two locations: the historic Jones Center on Congress Avenue in downtown Austin, and Laguna Gloria, a unique, fourteen-acre art-in-nature site that includes the landmark Driscoll Villa, the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park, the Art School at Laguna Gloria, and the Moody Pavilions.
Jones Center on Congress Avenue
1851
The first three-story brick building in Austin is constructed on the corner of 7th Street and Congress Avenue.
1877
Tobin’s Drug Store opens at 700 Congress Avenue.
1911
Texas Fine Arts Association (TFAA) is formed.
1926
700 Congress Avenue becomes the Queen Theater, featuring a balcony and proscenium stage.
1956
Lerner Shops moves into 700 Congress and renovates by adding storefront windows, a second floor, and a new front elevation on Congress, including an awning over the sidewalk.
1995
Texas Fine Arts Association purchases the vacant building at 700 Congress and renovates the first floor.
1998
TFAA / The Jones Center for Contemporary Art opens to the public.
2002
TFAA changes its name to Arthouse at the Jones Center.
2008
Arthouse unveils the renovation and expansion plans for the Jones Center, designed by Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis Architects.
2010
Arthouse at the Jones Center reopens.
2011
Arthouse at the Jones Center and the Austin Museum of Art (AMOA) celebrate 100 and 50 years, respectively. At the same time, the two institutions formalize a merger under the temporary name AMOA-Arthouse, rejoining the two primary organizations that constituted the Texas Fine Arts Association.
2013
AMOA-Arthouse debuts its new name and brand: The Contemporary Austin.
2015
The Contemporary Austin was awarded a $1.3 million grant from The Moody Foundation, making possible a major renovation of its downtown location.
2016
In December 2016, The Contemporary Austin celebrated the Grand Reopening of the renovated Jones Center and the debut of The Moody Rooftop. The project was led by LTL Architects (later awarded the 2017 Best of Design Awards for Adaptive Reuse by The Architect's Newspaper).
Laguna Gloria
1911
Texas Fine Arts Association (TFAA) is formed.
1943
Texas legend Clara Driscoll donates her lakeside, 1916 estate in west Austin to be used “as a Museum to bring pleasure in the appreciation of art to the people of Texas.”
1961
TFAA splits into two separate entities. Laguna Gloria Art Museum is created with the purpose of owning and operating the museum and grounds, and presenting exhibitions and educational programs in the Driscoll Villa.
1983
The Art School’s 4,100-square foot facility is constructed on the grounds of Laguna Gloria.
1996
Laguna Gloria Art Museum changes its name to Austin Museum of Art (AMOA) and moves its primary exhibition space to 823 Congress Avenue.
2003
The Driscoll Villa and gardens and key features of The Art School complex are refurbished and restored through a successful $3.6 million Laguna Gloria Renewal Project.
2008
The historic Gatehouse is restored and the Art School studios expanded by 2,500-square feet of new ceramics and painting space.
2011
Arthouse at the Jones Center and the Austin Museum of Art (AMOA) celebrate 100 and 50 years, respectively. At the same time, the two institutions formalize a merger under the temporary name AMOA-Arthouse, rejoining the two primary organizations that constituted the Texas Fine Arts Association.
2013
AMOA-Arthouse debuts its new name and brand: The Contemporary Austin.
The Edward and Betty Marcus Foundation awards The Contemporary Austin a $9 million grant to support the creation of the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria.
2014
The landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand is engaged in a Master Plan that will transform Laguna Gloria into an exceptional space for the public to experience art in a vibrant natural setting.
2017
The Contemporary Austin embarks on Phase I of the Master Plan, including Invasive Species Removal and Heritage Tree Preservation at Laguna Gloria. Learn more here.
Reed Hilderbrand is recognized with the 2017 Excellence Award in Analysis and Planning from the Boston Society of Landscape Architects for its ongoing work at the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria.
Read more about the history of Laguna Gloria in "Glorious Renewal," published in the Austin Chronicle, March 25, 2015, or here in the Austin-American Statesman, May 6, 2016.
2019
The Contemporary Austin unveils the new Moody Pavilions at Laguna Gloria, featuring a new visitor center, museum café, and artist-designed museum shop.
Board of Trustees
Kathleen Irvin Loughlin, Chair
Valerie Armstrong, President
Rachel Arnold, Treasurer
Milam Newby, Secretary
Wilson Allen
Charles Attal
Alexander Birchler
Suzanne Deal Booth
Annette Dimeo Carlozzi
Deborah Dupré
James Dyess
Kristin Gish
Deborah Green
Danny Hamilton
Jannette Keating
Jeanne Klein
Mickey Klein
Richard Marcus
Tracey Marshall
Chris Mattsson
Kelley Cooper McClure
Fredericka Middleton
Don Mullins
Ryann Rangel
Elizabeth Stanley
Rodney Susholtz
Margo Tate
Jill Turner
Zarmeena Vendal
Leslie Ward
Melba Whatley
Teresa Windham
Matty Wishnow