The Contemporary Austin
The Contemporary Austin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary art museum operating two Austin venues—the downtown Jones Center and the 14-acre Laguna Gloria lakeside campus—serving art enthusiasts, K-12 students, families, and event clients through exhibitions, the Art School, education programs reaching 25,000+ youth annually, and a tiered membership program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Contemporary Austin does
The Contemporary Austin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary art museum operating two distinct venues in Austin, Texas: the Jones Center, a downtown exhibition space at 700 Congress Avenue, and Laguna Gloria, a 14-acre lakeside campus on Lake Austin encompassing the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park, the historic Driscoll Villa, Art School studios, and the Moody Pavilions visitor center. The institution presents rotating exhibitions of contemporary art by nationally and internationally recognized artists, alongside a permanent collection of landmark outdoor sculptures (Jim Hodges, Wangechi Mutu, among others), and co-hosts the biennial Suzanne Deal Booth / FLAG Art Foundation Prize ($200,000 award). Educational programming spans a year-round Art School (painting, ceramics, drawing) plus K-12 initiatives including the Seeing Special Things multi-visit program reaching 25,000+ youth annually, with TEKS-aligned curriculum for Title 1 schools through Austin ISD.
The museum operates a diversified revenue model combining earned income (admission fees tiered at $10 adult / $5 senior-student-educator with free admission for under-18, military, SNAP beneficiaries, and Thursdays; eight membership tiers from $50 Individual to $10,000 Leader; site rentals for weddings and corporate events at Moody Rooftop and Driscoll Villa; café operated by Spread & Co.; retail Shop at The Contemporary) with contributed income (tax-deductible donations, foundation grants from Marcus, Moody, Still Water, Powell, H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, and individual major gifts). Distribution leverages digital channels (Bloomberg Connects app for exhibition guides, Veevart online ticketing, e-commerce storefront) alongside physical venues and the Museum Without Walls public art program extending into Perry Park and Pease Park.
The institution's origins trace to 1911 (Texas Fine Arts Association) and 1943 (Clara Driscoll's donation of the Laguna Gloria estate); it took its current form following the 2011 merger of Arthouse at the Jones Center and the Austin Museum of Art, rebranded The Contemporary Austin in 2013. Leadership includes Executive Director sharon maidenberg, Head Curator Alex Klein, and a Board of Trustees led by President Deborah Dupré, who gifted a $2M endowment in February 2026. Community partnerships with H-E-B (Feast of Sharing serving 14,000+ free meals), The Loren Hotel (mural sponsorship), and accessibility partners (KultureCity, EnChroma, Clovernook, Austin Community College ASL Program) round out the operating model.
The Contemporary Austin firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Contemporary Austin
- Legal name
- The Contemporary Austin
- Website
- https://thecontemporaryaustin.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Contemporary Austin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary art museum operating two Austin venues—the downtown Jones Center and the 14-acre Laguna Gloria lakeside campus—serving art enthusiasts, K-12 students, families, and event clients through exhibitions, the Art School, education programs reaching 25,000+ youth annually, and a tiered membership program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Contemporary Austin industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Contemporary Art Museum
- NAICS
- Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Art Museums (THAJADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH), Cultural Centers & Multidisciplinary Arts Institutions (THAJADAJ), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)
Keywords
Where The Contemporary Austin is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Contemporary Austin business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership program with multiple tiers from $50 Individual to $10,000 Leader, providing free admission, discounts, and exclusive benefits. Membership required for Art School registration except Saturday Samplers.
- Admission Fees: Ticket sales for general admission with tiered pricing: Adults $10, Seniors/Students/Educators $5, with free admission for under 18, military, and SNAP beneficiaries through Museums for All. Free admission on Thursdays.
- Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations supporting museum mission, education fund, exhibition fund, Laguna Gloria grounds fund, and Friends of Laguna Gloria patron group. One-time gifts and installment donation options available.
- Site Rentals: Venue rental for weddings, ceremonies, corporate events, and photography sessions at both Jones Center and Laguna Gloria locations. Moody Rooftop and Driscoll Villa popular event spaces.
- Retail and Food Service: Shop at The Contemporary operating at both locations and online, plus Spread & Co. café at Laguna Gloria. Members receive 10% discount on shop purchases.
- Foundation Grants: Support from foundations including Edward and Betty Marcus Foundation, Moody Foundation, Still Water Foundation, and others supporting exhibitions, education programs, and capital projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Adults pay $10 general admission |
| Subscription | Annual | Individual membership at $50/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Dual membership at $85/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Supporter membership at $250/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Advocate membership at $500/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Collector membership at $1,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Patron membership at $2,500/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Ambassador membership at $5,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Leader membership at $10,000/year |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Contemporary Austin product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Contemporary Austin operates a contemporary art museum with two physical locations—the downtown Jones Center at 700 Congress Avenue and the 14-acre Laguna Gloria lakeside campus featuring the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park. Core offerings include rotating contemporary art exhibitions, year-round Art School classes, K-12 educational programs, family programs, membership tiers, site rental services for events, and an on-site café and retail shop. The institution is supported by donations, foundation grants, admissions, and annual fundraising events such as Art Dinner and The Very 'Rary.
Product overview
The Contemporary Austin is a contemporary art museum operating as a unified multi-venue institution with two distinct locations. The Jones Center serves as the downtown urban exhibition space, while Laguna Gloria functions as a 14-acre lakeside campus combining the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park, historic Driscoll Villa, and Art School facilities. The museum's core offerings include rotating contemporary art exhibitions, the biennial Suzanne Deal Booth / FLAG Art Foundation Prize ($200,000 award), the HOST exhibition program, and the Museum Without Walls public art initiative. Educational programming spans the Art School at Laguna Gloria (offering semester classes, workshops, and Saturday Samplers), K-12 school programs including the Seeing Special Things initiative, and family activities. The museum also operates membership tiers, site rental services, annual events (The Very 'Rary, Art Dinner), and a digital guide via Bloomberg Connects. Admission is free on Thursdays and for visitors under 18.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Museum Without Walls: A program that brings art beyond the walls of the museum and out into the community in new ways and in diverse venues.
- Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria
- Suzanne Deal Booth / FLAG Art Foundation Prize
- Art School at Laguna Gloria
Products and services
- Art School at Laguna Gloria Year-round art education facility offering semester-long classes, weekend workshops, Saturday Samplers, summer programs, and kids classes across mediums (painting, ceramics, drawing) for all ages and skill levels from beginner to advanced. Open to the Austin community, with membership required for most class registration.
- Membership Program Tiered annual membership program with eight levels ranging from $50 Individual to $10,000 Leader, providing free admission to both locations, Art School class registration access, 10% shop and café discounts, reciprocal memberships with 1,000+ partner institutions, exclusive member events, private tour invitations, and curated art trips.
- Site Rentals Event venue rental services at both the Jones Center (Moody Rooftop) and Laguna Gloria (Driscoll Villa, Moody Pavilions, and grounds) for weddings, corporate events, rehearsal dinners, photography sessions, and private celebrations.
- K-12 School Programs Educational initiatives including the Seeing Special Things multi-visit program for Title 1 schools, museum experiences, educator resources, and curriculum aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards for visual art.
- Family Programs Hands-on family programming including Action Packs, Second Saturdays Are for Families, Arty Party puppet shows and story times, and free admission for visitors under 18 at both museum locations.
- Digital Guide on Bloomberg Connects Free mobile app offering exhibition guides, audio commentary, and accessibility features (voice over, captions, font size adjustment) for self-guided museum tours at both locations.
- Shop at The Contemporary On-site retail shops at both museum locations and online merchandise store offering exhibition-inspired products, books, prints, and gifts, with 10% member discount. All sales directly support museum programs.
- Museum Without Walls Public Art Program Public art initiative extending the museum's presence beyond its physical locations into Austin community parks, with sculpture installations at Perry Park (in partnership with Friends of Perry Park) and Pease Park (featuring David Deming's Mystic Raven, in partnership with Pease Park Conservancy).
Quantifiable outcome
- 25,000+ young people reached annually through K-12 arts education and free family programs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Contemporary Austin
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
The Contemporary Austin technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Contemporary Austin partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Loren HotelcorePartnership for mural sponsorship at Jones Center. The Loren Hotel shares commitment to supporting artists and Austin creative culture. Original mural by Manik Raj Nakra sponsored by The Loren.
- FLAG Art FoundationcoreCo-founder of Suzanne Deal Booth / FLAG Art Foundation Prize - $200,000 award with solo exhibitions at both venues, publication, and public programming. Biennial prize recognizing outstanding contemporary artists.
- H-E-BcoreLong-standing partnership for annual Feast of Sharing serving 14,000+ free meals to Austin residents. Also partners for Start with Art program providing free art kits at H-E-B stores and Art School Saturday Sampler collaborations with Spread & Co.
- KultureCityminorSensory inclusive experience partnership providing sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, weighted lap pads, and visual tools plus dedicated quiet spaces.
- Spread & Co.coreCherrywood eatery operates on-site café at Laguna Gloria with fresh menu items for on-site dining and to-go. Open Tuesday-Sunday with happy hour on Thursdays. Members receive 10% discount.
- Friends of Perry ParkminorNeighborhood partnership for Museum Without Walls Perry Art Park project creating small-scale sculpture park in Perry Neighborhood Park.
- Pease Park ConservancyminorPartnership for Museum Without Walls installation at Pease Park featuring David Deming's Mystic Raven sculpture.
- Austin Community College ASL ProgramminorCollaboration for ASL tours with student interpreters through Austin Community College's ASL program.
- Ploeger ASL InterpretingminorCertified interpreters providing ASL tours through collaboration with Ploeger ASL Interpreting.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Contemporary Austin competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Menil Collection: Houston's free-admission museum with a strong contemporary art program and similar dual-venue/campus structure (main collection plus Cy Twombly Gallery), making it a strong operating-model and audience-development peer.
- Nasher Sculpture Center: Dallas's sculpture-focused museum with indoor galleries and an outdoor sculpture garden, very comparable to the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria in scale, programming, and audience.
- Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH): Houston's non-collecting contemporary art museum with free admission, parallel programming, and a similar focus on rotating exhibitions of living artists—directly comparable in mission and operating model.
- Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM): Mid-sized contemporary art museum with dual-venue programming, an outdoor sculpture terrace, and robust education initiatives—directly comparable in mission, scale, and operating structure.
- Blanton Museum of Art: The University of Texas at Austin's art museum, the most direct local peer operating a major collection and education program in the same Austin market with overlapping audiences, academic partnerships, and K-12 reach.
- ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art): Non-collecting contemporary art museum with a strong education and public-programming focus and a waterfront architectural setting—directly comparable in programmatic DNA and target audience.
Broad incumbents
- Kimbell Art Museum: Fort Worth's landmark art museum with a high-quality collection and significant education programming, comparable in curatorial ambition and Texas audience overlap, though broader in historical scope.
- Dallas Museum of Art: Major Texas art museum with free general admission, broad programming including contemporary, and a much larger endowment—serves as the state's primary broad incumbent and competes for the same Texas philanthropic and tourism audience.
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH): Texas's largest art museum with a contemporary component (the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building), representing the broad incumbent peer for major exhibitions, donor networks, and traveling-show partnerships across the state.
Others
- FLAG Art Foundation: New York-based nonprofit partner on the $200,000 biennial Suzanne Deal Booth/FLAG Art Foundation Prize; the only direct prize-and-exhibition partner, making it a uniquely close peer in curatorial and brand terms.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Contemporary Austin social profiles
Digital presenceThe Contemporary Austin financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Contemporary Austin leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
The Contemporary Austin funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Contemporary Austin M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Contemporary Austin
What does The Contemporary Austin do?
The Contemporary Austin operates a contemporary art museum with two physical locations—the downtown Jones Center at 700 Congress Avenue and the 14-acre Laguna Gloria lakeside campus featuring the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park. Core offerings include rotating contemporary art exhibitions, year-round Art School classes, K-12 educational programs, family programs, membership tiers, site rental services for events, and an on-site café and retail shop. The institution is supported by donations, foundation grants, admissions, and annual fundraising events such as Art Dinner and The Very 'Rary.
Is The Contemporary Austin a public or private company?
The Contemporary Austin is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Contemporary Austin founded?
The Contemporary Austin was founded in 2013.
Where is The Contemporary Austin based?
The Contemporary Austin is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Contemporary Austin make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are admission Fees, donations and Fundraising, site Rentals, retail and Food Service and foundation Grants.
Who are The Contemporary Austin's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Menil Collection, Nasher Sculpture Center, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH), Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Blanton Museum of Art and ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art). Broad incumbents are Kimbell Art Museum, Dallas Museum of Art and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). FLAG Art Foundation is listed as an others.
Does The Contemporary Austin have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Contemporary Austin.
What industry is The Contemporary Austin in?
The Contemporary Austin's product category is Contemporary Art Museum. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAA, Art Museums, with a secondary code of THAJADAH, Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit). Its NAICS code is 712110 and its SIC code is 7900.