The Contemporary Austin

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.

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

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

• Contemporary art museum
• Art exhibitions
• Art education
• Sculpture park
• Museum membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Loren HotelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2023Partnership 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 FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2018Co-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-BcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-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.
• KultureCityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSensory inclusive experience partnership providing sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, weighted lap pads, and visual tools plus dedicated quiet spaces.
• Spread & Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCherrywood 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 ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighborhood partnership for Museum Without Walls Perry Art Park project creating small-scale sculpture park in Perry Neighborhood Park.
• Pease Park ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Museum Without Walls installation at Pease Park featuring David Deming's Mystic Raven sculpture.
• Austin Community College ASL ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for ASL tours with student interpreters through Austin Community College's ASL program.
• Ploeger ASL InterpretingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified interpreters providing ASL tours through collaboration with Ploeger ASL Interpreting.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thecontemporaryaustin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Contemporary Austin