Arthouse-AMoA Merge to Become New Entity

Not that this makes anything clearer from the public’s perspective, but the Arthouse at the Jones Center and the Austin Museum of Art are officially (as of Tuesday, November 1, 2011) merging into one new entity. The Nonprofit Quarterly just wrote that this merger “ends cultural tumult in Austin, Texas,” of that I’m not so sure. Glasstire has a different take.

It seems obvious to me that the mission must change to be suitable for both venues, which had different audiences. AMoA was a collecting organization and a traditional museum in most senses. Arthouse was not.

The real answers to questions about how this business decision will effect both organizations will surface as the post-merger weeks unfold. Also, we’re all curious about the new director, and when he or she will make an entrance! I’ll follow-up with answers soon.

A perspective from the board: “This is a special moment for our community,” said Mickey Klein, chairman of the combined board of trustees. “We’ve set the stage for Austin to be recognized as a leader in modern and contemporary art by creating a destination and an organization that invites others to take a new look at what we’re doing in the arts in our city.”

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