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Jones Center on Congress Avenue

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The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center on Congress Avenue

The Jones Center on Congress Avenue, formerly known as the AMOA-Arthouse at the Jones Center, is one of two museum sites of the Contemporary Austin, in Texas.

History

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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 Ney, now the Elisabet Ney Museum.[1] 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.[2]

In 1927, the TFAA began a visual arts touring program that brought selected works of art to communities throughout the state.[3] In 1943, Clara Driscoll deeded her Austin estate, Laguna Gloria, to the TFAA,[4] which operated the facility as an art museum until 1961, when the Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Inc. assumed that responsibility.[5] Until the end of 1998, the TFAA maintained its state headquarters in the carriage house on the property[6] and held three annual exhibitions in the main building.[7]

In 1995, the TFAA's board of directors purchased the property at 700 Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas. Three years later, in November 1998, the TFAA opened its new headquarters, the Jones Center for Contemporary Art.[6]

In November 2002, the name of the organization was officially changed from the Texas Fine Arts Association to Arthouse.[8]

In 2010, the architectural firm Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis (LTL) completed radical expansions and renovations to Arthouse at the Jones Center. As part of the remodeling, LTL and the 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.[9]

In 2011, the Arthouse at the Jones Center merged with the Austin Museum of Art.[10][11]

In 2013, the Austin Museum of Art was renamed the Contemporary Austin, with the Jones Center being designated as "The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center on Congress Avenue".[12][11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Federal Writers' Project. Texas, a Guide to the Lone Star State. US History Publishers. p. 146. ISBN 1-60354-042-3. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  2. ^ Ellis, Lee (2003). Free Tours, Museums and Sites in America: The Southern States Series. Americana Group Publishing. p. 231. ISBN 0-9667961-9-5. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  3. ^ Greene, Alison deLima; Jimenez, Alejandra (2000). Texas: 150 Works from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. p. 17. ISBN 9780810967069. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  4. ^ Danilov, Victor J. (2005). Women and Museums: A Comprehensive Guide. Rowman Altamira. p. 96. ISBN 0-7591-0855-2. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  5. ^ Little, Carol Morris (1996). A comprehensive guide to outdoor sculpture in Texas. University of Texas Press. p. 85. ISBN 0-292-76036-1. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  6. ^ a b "A Big Word With a Small "A"". The Austin Chronicle. February 11, 2000. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  7. ^ "Call it festival fever". Austin Business Journal. May 18, 2001. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  8. ^ Cohen, Rebecca S. (2004). Art Guide Texas: Museums, Art Centers, Alternative Spaces, and Nonprofit Galleries. University of Texas Press. p. 15. ISBN 0-292-71230-8. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  9. ^ "Arthouse at the Jones Center". Architectural Record. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
  10. ^ Faires, Robert (November 11, 2011). "Arthouse/Austin Museum of Art". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "About". The Contemporary Austin. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  12. ^ "AMOA-arthouse renamed The Contemporary Austin". Artforum. July 18, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
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