Galveston Arts Center

The Galveston Arts Center

A pacesetting institution unlike any other across the state.
―Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA)

Incorporated in 1986, the Galveston Arts Center (GAC) is an independent nonprofit organization that showcases innovative contemporary art at 2501 Market Street.

Mission
Believing contemporary art can inspire, engage, provoke and inform, the Galveston Arts Center presents dynamic and innovative work focusing on professional visual artists living or working in Texas. As a non-collecting, non-profit museum, the Center furthers the careers of emerging and mid-career professional artists through the production of quality exhibitions and supporting media. Collaborative, wide-ranging education and outreach programs create a public forum to engage diverse audiences in an exploration of thought-provoking ideas that inform contemporary art and our experiences in a complex world.

Exhibitions
The Galveston Arts Center is the only visual arts organization in Galveston with a permanent location, a rotating exhibition schedule with free admission at all times and a professional full-time staff. Curator Clint Willour brings contemporary art from all over the state in approximately 24 exhibitions a year, featuring the work of both emerging and established artists. Over 50,000 visitors annually visit GAC exhibitions. In addition, GAC exhibitions travel regularly to other arts spaces in the state accompanied by award-winning publications. Willour often draws insightful parallels among the shows he installs in each of the three galleries, presenting unique ways of thinking about art.

Clint Willour… is a pillar within the art community in Texas.
—TCA

Best Art Guru: Clint Willour
—Houston Press, Best of Houston 2007

The Art for All education initiative was developed to foster individual and community growth by encouraging adults and children alike to explore the creative process in a nurturing environment to build self confidence and improve problem solving skills. Through Art for All education outreach programs, GAC is able to promote the visual arts not only by bringing the community into the Arts Center, but also by taking GAC into the community in order to reach those who might not otherwise have access to visual arts programs. Classes are offered free of charge to participants and provide artist instructors and supplies to previously underserved populations. Art classes for both children and adults are offered year-round in GAC’s studio classroom and all participants are invited to exhibit their work in the newly initiated Art for All.

They have strong educational outreach… particularly [serving] those with special needs, and this is commendable.
―TCA

For over 20 years the Galveston Arts Center has produced ArtWalk on Saturday nights in the heart of the historic district. Now spreading to other parts of the island, ArtWalk occurs approximately every six weeks. Not a street festival, ArtWalk takes place in existing commercial galleries, non-profit arts spaces and what are called “other walls”—restaurants and retail stores. One of the Galveston Arts Center’s largest programs, ArtWalk promotes visual art and supports our arts-based community, offering alternative places to see and learn about art.

– Retail Gallery
GAC presents a showcase for fine craft artists and artisans from around Texas working in all media, including woodworking, ceramics, metalsmithing and jewelry in the ArtWorks shop. Unique handcrafted pieces are taken on commission and sold to support both the artist and the Arts Center.