Arthouse at the Jones Center
Encyclopedia
Arthouse at the Jones Center is a 501(c)3 conforming non-profit visual arts organization based in Austin, Texas
. It is the oldest statewide visual arts organization in Texas
, and the only statewide visual arts organization dedicated entirely to contemporary art.
, now the Elisabet Ney Museum
. The Association's early leadership helped to establish the studio art department at The University of Texas at Austin, promote the formation of a state arts commission, and found some of the state's major art museums.
In 1927 TFAA began a visual arts touring program that brought selected works of art to communities throughout the state. In 1943, Clara Driscoll deeded her Austin estate, Laguna Gloria
, to TFAA who operated the facility as an art museum until 1961 when the Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Inc. assumed that responsibility. Until the fall of 1998, TFAA maintained its state headquarters in the carriage house on the property, and annually held three exhibitions in the main building.
In 1995 TFAA's Board of Directors purchased the property at 700 Congress Avenue in Austin, TX. Three years after the building's purchase, TFAA opened its new headquarters, the Jones Center for Contemporary Art, in November 1998.
In November 2002, the name of the organization was officially changed from the Texas Fine Arts Association to Arthouse.
In 2010 Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis (LTL) architects completed radical expansions and renovations to Arthouse at the Jones Center. As part of the remodeling, LTL and award-winning New York City-based lighting design firm LumenArch installed 177 LED-lit rectangular laminated glass blocks perforating the southern and eastern walls of the building to create a “glowing” effect.
Arthouse serves an average of 50,000 people annually.
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. It is the oldest statewide visual arts organization in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and the only statewide visual arts organization dedicated entirely to contemporary art.
History
Founded as the Texas Fine Arts Association (TFAA) in 1911, the organization's initial purpose was to maintain the studio and collection of sculptor Elisabet NeyElisabet Ney
Franzisca Bernadina Wilhelmina Elisabeth Ney was a celebrated German-born sculptor who spent the first half of her life and career in Europe, producing sculpted works of famous leaders such as Otto von Bismarck, Giuseppe Garibaldi and King George V of Hanover...
, now the Elisabet Ney Museum
Elisabet Ney Museum
The Elisabet Ney Museum is a museum located in Austin, Texas, United States. The museum is housed in the former studio of sculptor Elisabet Ney and is dedicated to showcasing her life and works. There is a permanent collection of Ney's portrait busts and personal memorabilia on display.Formosa, as...
. The Association's early leadership helped to establish the studio art department at The University of Texas at Austin, promote the formation of a state arts commission, and found some of the state's major art museums.
In 1927 TFAA began a visual arts touring program that brought selected works of art to communities throughout the state. In 1943, Clara Driscoll deeded her Austin estate, Laguna Gloria
Laguna Gloria
Laguna Gloria is the former home of Clara Driscoll and site of a 1916 Italianate-style villa on the shores of Lake Austin in Austin, Texas. It was the original home of the Austin Museum of Art and still houses some of its collections...
, to TFAA who operated the facility as an art museum until 1961 when the Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Inc. assumed that responsibility. Until the fall of 1998, TFAA maintained its state headquarters in the carriage house on the property, and annually held three exhibitions in the main building.
In 1995 TFAA's Board of Directors purchased the property at 700 Congress Avenue in Austin, TX. Three years after the building's purchase, TFAA opened its new headquarters, the Jones Center for Contemporary Art, in November 1998.
In November 2002, the name of the organization was officially changed from the Texas Fine Arts Association to Arthouse.
In 2010 Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis (LTL) architects completed radical expansions and renovations to Arthouse at the Jones Center. As part of the remodeling, LTL and award-winning New York City-based lighting design firm LumenArch installed 177 LED-lit rectangular laminated glass blocks perforating the southern and eastern walls of the building to create a “glowing” effect.
Current activities
Arthouse now functions as a resource for Texas-based artists as well. In addition to exhibitions and programming, Arthouse offers access to an Emergency Relief Fund, affordable health insurance, membership banking and credit union opportunities, discounts on art materials and art publications, and its own newsletter, Arthouse News.Arthouse serves an average of 50,000 people annually.