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Arthouse at the Jones Center
Arthouse has a proud history of mapping the future of the visual arts in Texas. Founded as the Texas Fine Arts Association (TFAA) in 1911, it is both the oldest statewide visual arts organization in Texas, and the only one devoted solely to contemporary art. From the beginning, Arthouse has taken a leading role in shaping the artistic landscape of Texas. It worked to establish the studio art department at The University of Texas at Austin, to promote the formation of a state arts commission, and to found some of the state’s major art museums. It also launched a program of touring exhibitions in 1927 that continues to this day, providing communities across the state with low-cost, curated and juried contemporary art exhibitions. Until 1998 the Association operated out of the Laguna Gloria estate, now known as the Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria, but in 1995 its Board of Directors purchased the property at 700 Congress Avenue in the heart of downtown Austin. Three years after the building's purchase, TFAA opened its new headquarters, the Jones Center, starting a new phase in TFAA's already long history. In November of 2002, the name of the organization was officially changed from the Texas Fine Arts Association to Arthouse. Arthouse not only plays a vital role in the cultural landscape of the community, but also functions as a resource for Texas-based artists. In addition to exhibitions and programming, Arthouse offers access to an Emergency Relief Fund, affordable health insurance, membership banking and credit union opportunities and discounts on art materials and art publications. Arthouse's community includes artists, students, the general public and patrons, and the organization currently serves an average of 50,000 people annually. Arthouse's exhibitions are conceived to give audiences greater access to and understanding of contemporary art. Programming is designed to provide a context in which that art can be experienced in a meaningful way. Arthouse's structured educational programs focus on high school-aged students, while informal learning opportunities are geared to adults of all ages, including Austin's large university student population. Special efforts are made to collaborate with other arts and community organizations in order to foster a more active and vibrant cultural climate throughout the state. Arthouse is proud to continue to promote the growth and appreciation of contemporary art and artists in Texas. Most recently, in keeping with its mission, Arthouse has announced the inauguration of a new art prize, the Arthouse Texas Prize, which will be awarded recognize an emerging Texas-based artist whose innovation, talent has made a marked contribution to a thriving Texas art scene.
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