6 Organizations Promoting Art & Culture in Texas

6 Artistic and Cultural Organizations in Texas

Name	Location	Focus
Dallas Theater Center	Dallas	Offers dynamic performances at three venues, along with the Project Discovery educational program and the Public Works Dallas community initiative
The Contemporary Austin	Austin	Presents exhibitions of new and exciting art at the Jones Center and Laguna Gloria, where the Art School offers classes for enthusiasts of all ages
The MAC	Dallas	Showcases experimental work that pushes boundaries, houses the OccuLibrary, and invites local artists to participate in juried exhibitions by submitting work
San Antonio Museum of Art	San Antonio	Features pieces from all over the world, with those dating back thousands of years presented alongside contemporary works, and offers hands-on educational programs for children
WAAS Gallery	Dallas	Gallery and studio space for artists who identify as women, hosting workshops, guided meditations, yoga sessions, forums, and other inclusive events
Stage West Theatre	Fort Worth	Stages performances of both classic and contemporary plays & musicals, with classes for youth, adults, and seniors in playwriting, musical theater, improv, and Shakespeare

Enriching Experiences at the San Antonio Museum of Art

Arts Education in Texas

High school students enrolled in arts classes have a 3.3% greater attendance rate than those who aren't, the equivalent of an additional week of school each year
73% of voters support increased state funding for the arts in Texas public schools
High-school students without at least one arts credit were twice as likely to drop out as those with an arts credit
In rural areas, only 9% of high school students are enrolled in a fine arts course
1 in 15 Texans are employed in the creative sector. This is projected to grow 17% by 2026
The average annual wage for jobs in the creative sector is nearly double that of non-creative sector jobs, averaging $84,500 versus $46,100
Nationally, more than 40% of secondary schools did not require arts courses for graduation for the 2009-2010 school year
Federal funding for arts & humanities is around $250 million a year, while the National Science Foundation is funded around the $5 billion mark
Arts and music education programs are mandatory in countries that rank near the top for math and science test scores, like Japan, Hungary, and the Netherlands

Students Rave about the Classes at Stage West Theatre

Notable Artists from Texas

In Depth

Due to its long history of colonialism and immigration, Texas today represents an incredibly diverse and vivid melting pot of global and regional cultures. From its famous cowboy and ranching lifestyle to its modern focus on sports, music, and theater, the state boasts an abundance of striking customs and traditions in which anyone can take part. For those looking to experience the more artistic side of things through exciting performances, museums, and galleries, here are, in no particular order, six organizations that perpetuate Texas's rich art and cultural landscape.

Arriving at #1 is Dallas Theater Center. Established in 1959 as one of the nation's first regional theaters, DTC works to engage, challenge, and stimulate the community through innovative plays and educational programming. Spanning three venues, it performs to over 90,000 North Texans each year, putting on shows such as "Frankenstein," "Medea," "A Raisin in the Sun," and an annual production of "A Christmas Carol." In addition to these classics, the Center also produces newer plays from diverse, creative voices.

Further advancing DTC's mission are its two core, comprehensive education programs, which are designed to involve the community firsthand in the joys of the theatrical arts. Project Discovery, the Center's signature program, provides thousands of teenage students throughout the region with in-depth theater experiences, and is offered at no cost to schools that take part. Public Works Dallas, meanwhile, engages in long-term, city-wide partnerships with individuals and other organizations to create inventive, participatory productions. Support this impactful project by making a donation through DTC's website.

Support this impactful project by making a donation through DTC's website.

For #2 we get The Contemporary Austin. Encompassing two locations, one urban and one outdoors, this organization presents a range of exhibitions, programs, and activities that allow people to explore the rich breadth of contemporary art. Its sites include the historic Jones Center in downtown Austin, and the Laguna Gloria, a fourteen-acre campus that features a sculpture park, landscaped terraces, an art school, and more. Throughout these areas, the organization offers a plethora of learning and making opportunities for teachers, creators, students, and families, including hands-on workshops, talks, tours, and group critiques.

With gallery spaces and an innovative rooftop area, the Jones Center exhibits the work of many acclaimed contemporary artists. In addition, it plays host to a number of performances, screenings, and conversations with creators and curators. The Art School at Laguna Gloria, meanwhile, offers classes for people of all ages and skill levels, and provides instruction in mediums such as painting, photography, metalworking, and pottery. Students are encouraged to explore the surrounding area and its installations while working on their projects. Help sustain the organization's myriad community programs and events by giving to its Education Fund.

At #3 is The MAC. Opened in 1994, this Dallas nonprofit promotes creative freedom by giving artists of all disciplines opportunities to experiment with, showcase, and spark dialogue around their work. Alongside its adventurous, boundary-breaking exhibitions, the organization offers programming such as artist talks, tours, performances, and screenings, which help to further spur and perpetuate an appreciation of contemporary art. The MAC is free to the public during regular daily hours, with a small suggested donation.

The MAC is free to the public during regular daily hours, with a small suggested donation.

One of the group's cornerstones is its Membership Show, which presents the work of both burgeoning and seasoned talent throughout the Dallas area. The show is designed to facilitate a constructive forum where creators and patrons can meet, and it gives people the ability to purchase the work of exhibiting talent. Another significant resource is the OccuLibrary, an archive that holds books on topics such as philosophy and economics, as well as donated zines, drawings, and other materials. To get involved with The MAC community and assist the local arts ecosystem, consider joining as a member.

For #4 we have the San Antonio Museum of Art, which seeks to enrich people's lives through the collection, conservation, and exhibition of historically important works of art. SAMA's inventory encompasses pieces from multiple countries and cultures spanning 5,000 years of world history, and features the most comprehensive collections of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art in the southern US. The museum also maintains prominent regional focuses on Latin America and East Asia, as well as on contemporary international and Texas-based works.

In addition to its exhibitions, SAMA works to bolster the community through numerous programs and events offered for all age groups. Many opportunities are available for young children to engage in hands-on learning and art-making, while adults can take part in gallery talks and happy hour tours. There's also special programming for educators, including workshops that provide strategies for integrating art into classroom curricula. Make a contribution to the Love SAMA Fund to help ensure that the museum remains a thriving and accessible resource for the city.

Many opportunities are available for young children to engage in hands-on learning and art-making, while adults can take part in gallery talks and happy hour tours.

Landing at #5 is WAAS Gallery, an organization focused on the exploration and empowerment of female identity through art. Created by and for women, it offers a variety of exhibits, talks, and wellness classes that enable participants to learn, collaborate, and grow in a safe and inclusive environment. Boasting gallery and studio spaces, the organization's Dallas location serves as a supportive, multi-purpose hub of creativity and experimentation. Individuals and businesses can also rent out the spaces, which accommodate a diversity of services and events.

Beyond the gallery and studio, WAAS hosts workshops, pop-ups, and sundry activities that allow time and space for creative and spiritual nourishment. Some of its offerings include guided meditations, yoga sessions, shows, and parties. Also notable is its ToughTalks series, which involves open forums where women can discuss topics related to gender, sex, health, and other pertinent social issues without having to feel ashamed. Aid WAAS in its efforts by purchasing artwork from its shop, or by buying its eco-friendly creative goods such as T-shirts or tote bags.

Finally, for #6 we come to Stage West Theatre in Fort Worth. Since its founding in 1979, Stage West operates with the goal of inspiring and entertaining audiences through high-quality theatrical experiences. Its productions include works that range from the classic to the contemporary, and encompass both plays and musicals that engage provocatively with social themes. On top of its multitude of shows, the organization also provides many educational outreach programs and services at low or no cost.

Its productions include works that range from the classic to the contemporary, and encompass both plays and musicals that engage provocatively with social themes.

Classes at Stage West span ages and abilities, and teach everything from improv to musical theater and playwriting. A variety of camps are available during the summer for children between eight and thirteen, while older teens can enroll in a conservatory program. The group also hosts the Neighborhood Play Contest and the Southwest Playwriting Competition, which let kids and adults, respectively, write and submit their works, with the winning entries performed at festivals during the year. You can assist Stage West's operations by signing up online to volunteer as an usher, fundraiser, or events planner.