Arthouse at the Jones Center is the oldest statewide organization dedicated to promoting the growth and appreciation of contemporary art and artists in Texas. Through its exhibitions and programs statewide, Arthouse helps nurture artists’ careers and instill greater public understanding of contemporary art.

Arthouse has a long history of presenting high-quality, cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions and programs. Since establishing its permanent home at the Jones Center in November 1998, Arthouse has increased the scope of its programming, which has been lauded by the Austin and national press. In his January 1, 2004, column in the Austin American-Statesman, critic Michael Barnes wrote, “Arthouse has increasingly become the leader among the visual arts organizations [in Austin], at least as the institution relates to the contemporary scene.”

Arthouse programming includes approximately six annual exhibitions of contemporary art crossing a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and video. Arthouse showcases artists from around the world, with a definitive eye on Texas. Annual exhibition highlights from the 2004/2005 schedule include:

5 x 7: Annual Art Splurge and Exhibition
Each spring Arthouse invites more than 500 Texas-based artists, as well as artists with strong Texas ties, to donate 5" x 7" works of art. All pieces are then displayed anonymously and sold for $100 each. Only when a work is bought does the purchaser learn its creator. The proceeds support future programs.

New American Talent: The Twentieth Exhibition
New American Talent is Arthouse’s annual juried exhibition, open to artists living and working in the United States. Past jurors include Jerry Saltz, Senior Art Critic, The Village Voice, New York, and Dominic Molon, Associate Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. An illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition, which takes place each summer.

Each year Arthouse tours two to three of its own exhibitions of contemporary art in diverse Texas communities across the state through its Art on Tour program, thereby fulfilling the promise, “contemporary art for Texas.” Every Art on Tour exhibition begins at the Jones Center in Austin and continues on to other art spaces and community centers throughout Texas.

Arthouse Presents. . . is a curated series of programs featuring a variety of special art projects, non-traditional exhibitions, screenings, collaborations, and talks addressing current issues related to contemporary art and art production. Arthouse Presents. . . allows Arthouse to double its season programming by taking advantage of public spaces in the building that are not suited for more formal, traditional exhibitions.

It is Arthouse’s goal to bring exciting contemporary visual art from around the United States to Austin, while simultaneously presenting artists from Austin and the state of Texas to both a national and international audience, thereby initiating a forum for dialogue with a larger art world.

Exhibitions and programs at the Jones Center are open to the public, and admission is free. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 11–7, Thursday 11–9, Saturday 10–5, and Sunday 1–5. Closed Mondays. The Jones Center is located at 700 Congress.
For more information, call 512-453-5312 or visit www.arthousetexas.org.

Thanks to Arthouse at the Jones Center for the article and photo.