Art Alliance Austin

Through dynamic collaboration with artists, inclusive engagement of the community, and passionate devotion of our members. Art Alliance Austin is a catalyst for art. We exist to enrich and endow Central Texas' cultural landscape as well as to promote the participation in visual art through the production of our suite annual events - which culminate in our anticipated juried outdoor art fair: Art City Austin.

Description:
At the intersection of life and art, creativity and commerce,collaboration and imagination, Art Alliance Austin is a member-powered organization where we make art possible. We do it because art is a force
and people need it to thrive. We produce really great art events to inspire our citizens, catalyze artists to create, support the understanding and collection of visual art, and to hasten citywide collaboration. We stimulate the local economy with collecting, travel,
and money in the pockets of our artists. We connect leaders and big organizations to make possible the profitable and the whimsical. With member events throughout the year, our efforts culminate each spring in Art Week Austin, ending with our annual art event: Art City Austin.

History:
Art Alliance Austin's history reflects the evolution of art in Austin. In 1956, the group was founded as The Women's Art Guild - formed to support the Laguna Gloria Art Museum (which is now part of the Austin Museum of Art). For years, the Austin Museum of Art Guild(as they came to be known) presented "Fiesta" an annual outdoor art event that was one of the regions largest art events. As the guild and annual event grew, their aspirations became broader and in, 1998, they formed their own distinct 501c3 organization. In 1999, The Austin Museum of Art began renovations on the historical grounds of Laguna Gloria and Fiesta moved from the secluded West Austin neighborhood to downtown, becoming the Austin Fine Arts Festival, changing the organization's name to the Austin Fine Arts Alliance in 2004 - reflection their intention for support the larger art community, starting with the addition of the Blanton as a beneficiary in 2006. 2007 brings the organization to a new vista, where the leadership sees that there is a greater opportunity to serve and reflect the vitality of art in Austin for local, regional, and national patrons and participants. In 2007 the organization changed its' name to Art Alliance Austin. This name and brand reflect their 50+ year tradition of inclusiveness, innovative collaboration, inspiring all who participate, and catalyzing art. The name comes with an updated mission and vision as well as a naming system for each of the annual events the organization produces.

Contact people:

Allison Specter, Artist+Member Relations, (512) 458-6073, (email) Meredith Powell, Executive Director, (512) 610-4210, (email)

Address:

PO Box 5705 Austin, TX 78763

Web Site: http://www.artallianceaustin.org

Last updated on January 13, 2009