The Blanton Museum of Art: How to Support This Iconic Institution
With 60+ years of history, the Blanton paints Austin’s ever-changing cultural landscape
Austin’s vibrant arts scene is the heartbeat of the bustling city. From live music to sculpture to paintings, however you choose to engage with the arts, Austin has a way for you to tap into your inner creative. And, at the center of it all, sits the Blanton Museum of Art – a majestic icon that represents the past, current and future artistic beauty of Austin.
About the Blanton Museum of Art
Founded in 1963 and a staple within Austin’s arts and culture scene for decades, the Blanton has become one of the largest and most significant university art museums in the country. The current museum building opened in 2006 and more recently, the museum completed its stunning new grounds designed by internationally acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta.
As part of its mission, the Blanton is committed to creating a welcoming museum experience that inspires visitors to discover the unexpected about the world and themselves. Central to this mission is the collection, which has grown exponentially to include more than 21,000 artworks (the largest public collection in Central Texas), with expertise in modern and contemporary American and Latin American art, Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings, and prints and drawings.
The museum has developed groundbreaking exhibitions, as well as an educational program that welcomes students from all across the Austin metroplex. In addition to organizing exhibitions, the Blanton enhances visitor access to works of art by rotating its collection galleries several times a year.
The Blanton Museum of Art received increased recognition on the national stage when it opened Austin by Ellsworth Kelly in 2018. Now, the revitalized grounds have expanded the museum’s outdoor experience and become an iconic part of the Austin landscape.
In addition to its rise in national prominence, the Blanton achieved a record-breaking year in 2024, with attendance exceeding pre-pandemic numbers at more than 260,000 visitors.
Supporting the Museum
Supporting the Blanton Museum of Art is more important than ever.
The museum is unique in that it proudly serves as the art museum for both the University of Texas at Austin community, as well as the city of Austin. As a non-profit partially funded by the University, the museum relies heavily on attendance, membership, and fundraising initiatives to support its operations, including the maintenance of its collection.
On March 29, museum patrons will gather to raise critical funds to support the institution through the black-tie 2025 Blanton Gala. This year’s Blanton Gala committee members feature prominent Austin arts and community leaders part of the Blanton’s National Leadership Board, including Malú Alvarez, Caroline Haley, Elle Moody (Vice Chair), Kelli Blanton, Stacy Hock, Aubrey Epstein (Chair), and Suzanne McFayden.
The biennial galas are critical to the success of the museum’s mission. Just take the 2023 gala, for instance. Since the 2023 gala and the subsequent grounds renovation, the museum has experienced an increase in visits, including a 30 percent increase in University and K-12 students from across Central Texas visiting the galleries. The 2025 Texas-themed event, hosted on-site on the museum’s stunning Moody Patio, will feature a curated cocktail hour by Justine’s Brasserie, a seated dinner by Michelin-star LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, and a performance by rising country music star Calder Allen.
Whether becoming a member of the museum, attending an event or visiting one of its exhibitions, there are so many ways Texans can support this institution shaping Austin’s history and landscape.