Mission Statement

The Art Museum of South Texas advances awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of visual art by presenting exciting exhibitions, offering dynamic education programs, and actively collecting and preserving a vital permanent collection that educates all communities.

Core Values

The Art Museum of South Texas (AMST) respects, values, and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person who they are. We believe that our strength lies within the broad range of members and visitors we represent. Therefore, it is our aim that our members, donors, Museum staff, and Board of Trustees reflect and embrace these core values.

Architecture

See how two internationally acclaimed architects come together.

Explore the History

Rent the Facility

A unique backdrop for any formal occasion including weddings, receptions, corporate parties or special events.

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Welcome to AMST

Welcome to the Art Museum of South Texas.  I thank you for visiting our website and I hope that your online experience has sparked a creative interest that will inspire you to pay us a visit.  An hour, or longer, spent in our galleries is certain to entertain, enlighten and energize the senses.

AMST is celebrating 50 years on the Corpus Christi Bay this year.  The original complex, designed by world-renowned architect Philip Johnson, opened to the public in October of 1972.  To honor our past, celebrate our present, and plan for our future, we have created an exciting selection of exhibitions and educational programs.   Whether you are looking for hands-on family programs, lecturers, artists talks, social opportunities, or deep delves into the study of art, AMST can provide those opportunities – whether via the web or, we hope, in person.

We are honored to serve as THE fine arts institution for the Coastal Bend region.  Welcoming over 125,000 visitors annually, we strive to provide a unique selection of cultural offerings for our guests.  Thank you for your interest in the Art Museum of South Texas and for your support of the arts.

 

 

 

 

Sara Sells Morgan

Director

Past directors

  • 1959-1960     Rowena McNeel
  • 1960-1961     Pati Reiss
  • 1961-1980     Cathleen Sparks Gallander
  • 1981-1987     Richard Collier
  • 1988-1989     Marilyn Smith (Interim Director)
  • 1989-1990     Albert Augustus Teller
  • 1991-1992      Lillian A. Murray
  • 1993-2007     William G. Otton
  • 2007-2019     Joseph B. Schenk
  • 2019-              Sara Sells Morgan

History

1936

1936-Centennial-Musuem
Centennial Museum

1945
  • Corpus Christi turned over its Centennial Museum to two local art organizations, South Texas Art League and The Corpus Christi Art Guild.
  • The first documented Corpus Christi Art Foundation exhibit sponsored by Corpus Christi Caller-Times and was held on the Mezzanine Floor of the Driscoll Hotel
1947
  • A petition was created and approved by the city to turn the building into a Center for the Arts under the Corpus Christi Art Foundation.
  • The building is renamed the Centennial Art Museum and there was a large increase in museum activity.
1960s

The Art Museum had outgrown its space, and a group of prominent civic leaders and philanthropist began a private sector movement to fund and build a new art museum

1972

1972 Art Museum Area
Art Museum Area in 1972

1972
  • 1902 Shoreline – AMST Philip Johnson Building opens to the public
  • The Art Center of Corpus Christi in South Bluff Park is created at 100 Shoreline, in concurrent with the opening of the Art Museum of South Texas.
October 4-6, 1972

The opening festival of the Art Museum of South Texas building on Shoreline Drive is held.

1973-1977

Several large-scale Modernist works were accepted which easily fit into the museum’s gallery spaces.

1976

Dorothy Hood is shown at the Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi

1986

1986 Museum Office
Museum Office in 1986

1995

The Legislature of the State of Texas appropriated special funding to have the Art Museum of South Texas affiliated with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and administered as a cooperative joint venture

1997

The Corpus Christi Creative Arts Center and Center for Hispanic Arts merged with the Art Museum under the auspices of the South Texas Institute for the Arts.

2001

Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi acquired a major portion of Hood’s estate including her archives and studio contents.

2006
  • A major expansion designed by internationally renowned architect Ricardo Legorreta opened to the public. The expansion was funded by private sector donations and community support, led by the efforts and generosity of William B. and Maureen Miller.  The William B. and Maureen Miller Building doubled the gallery and exhibition space of the Art Museum.
  • William G. Otton retires as director of the Art Museum of South Texas
October 2007

Joe Schenk becomes director of the Art Museum of South Texas

2012

Art Museum of South Texas engaged Susie Kalil to serve as Guest Curator and Author for the Dorothy Hood Project.

2016

The Color of Being/El Color del Ser: DOROTHY HOOD (1918-2000)” the major retrospective exhibition opens at the Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi.

2018

Los Tejanos: Chicano Art from the collections of Cheech Marin exhibitions opens.

June 2019

Joe Schenk retires at director of the Art Museum of South Texas

December 2019

Sara Sells Morgan becomes director of the Art Museum of South Texas

2024 Board of Trustees

OFFICERS

  • Philip Ramirez, Chair
  • Edward Schiller, Chair-Elect
  • Mark LaRue, Treasurer
  • Sofia Gignac, Secretary
  • Pam Brower, Chair, Immediate Past Chair

TRUSTEES

  • Leslie Adami
  • Jason Aigner
  • Jordan Anderson
  • Adair Apple
  • Gustavo “Gus” Barrera
  • Deven Bhakta
  • Blissie Blair, Honorary
  • Sierra Bonilla
  • Tom Brookshire
  • Kyle Broughton
  • D’Anne Buquet
  • Judge Barbara Canales
  • Louise Chapman, Emeritus
  • Charlene Chessir
  • Caitlin Chupe
  • Jeremy Coleman
  • Kylie Cooper
  • Tiffany Dake, Ex-Officio for Mayor Paulette Guajardo
  • Audrey Eden
  • D. Scott Elliff
  • Derrick Frazier
  • Dr. Robert Furgason
  • Samantha Gates
  • Michael Gilley
  • Celso Gonzalez-Falla, Emeritus
  • Jennifer Grove
  • Mayor Paulette Guajardo, Ex-Officio, City of Corpus Christi
  • Kimberly Heisey
  • Gloria Hicks
  • Catherine Tobin Hilliard
  • Ben Holland
  • Allison Hughes
  • Al Jones, Emeritus
  • Shyqeri “Shoocha” Kuqi
  • Leanne Libby
  • Lesley Lomax
  • Marco Longoria
  • Isaac Lozano
  • Emily Martinez
  • Alyssa Barrera Mason
  • Liz Matthews
  • Trey McCampbell
  • Kayla McMains
  • Dr. Kelly Miller, Ex-Officio, President, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
  • Sara Sells Morgan, Ex-Officio, Director, Art Museum of South Texas
  • Nancy Morrow
  • Rachel Neff-Rupp
  • Laura Nelson
  • Troy Nicholson
  • Patty Nuss
  • Brett Oetting, Ex-Officio
  • Judge Robert Pate
  • Noe Perez
  • Jeff Pollack
  • Norberto “Bobby” Rodriguez
  • Ema Rodriguez
  • Marcy Rodriguez
  • Dr. Kate Rodriguez Treiber
  • Chrissy Romeros
  • Toby Shor
  • Brad Snyder
  • Kimberly Stockseth
  • Celika Storm, Emeritus
  • Tinker Trombley
  • Karen Urban
  • Todd Walter
  • Jo Vann Weichert
  • Seth Weiland
  • Fernando Yarrito

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