The Arlington Museum of Art is dedicated to championing creativity and providing access to art for the educational enrichment and cultural development of our community.
— AMA MISSION STATEMENT
The Arlington Museum of Art has honed its skills as a museum that embraces change. Every 3-4 months, it transforms its entire space by curating unique and compelling exhibitions that collectively unite the past, present and future of art.
Meet Chris Hightower, President and CEO of the AMA, and learn how the museum began as a big idea that art can light the way forward:
The AMA Origin Story
Welcome to Boomtown
Our roots date back to the early 1950s, the start of a great economic, educational and cultural boom throughout the city of Arlington, Texas. At that time, Arlington was a small town of about 7,700 residents. Less than thirty years later, the population of Arlington would exceed 160,000.
Powerful Partnerships
In 1952, the Arlington Art Association was founded by civic leaders with the guidance of Howard and Arista Joyner. Howard was head of the art department of North Texas Agricultural College (now the University of Texas at Arlington). Arista was the first art teacher at Arlington High School. Later in her career, she went on to develop the art department at Tarrant County Junior College (now Tarrant County College). The Association was formed to promote and support visual arts in Arlington. The relationships that were built during the 1950-1970s between the Arlington Arts Association and the city’s biggest educational institutions continue today in the form of strong, active partnerships between the Arlington Museum of Art, UTA, and AISD.
A Place to Call Home
In 1974, the Arlington Art Association incorporated itself as the Arlington Museum of Art (AMA). In early 1989, the AMA purchased the JCPenney building on Main Street in Downtown Arlington, renovated it, and opened in early 1991 with its first art exhibit. The organization envisioned the space as a permanent home for itself and its outreach and cultural programs. At this same time, in response to a void within the larger museum community, the AMA revised its mission in 1991 to focus exclusively on Texas contemporary art.
Bigger and Bigger Ideas
Unfortunately, starting in the mid-1990s, support for the museum declined significantly. By 2007, the AMA Board of Directors concluded that diminished interest was due, in large part, to the organization’s limited focus. In a future-defining vote, the Board redefined the mission of the museum. While maintaining a commitment to legacy programs with a successful and proven track record, the Board agreed to expand the organization’s scope well beyond Texas contemporary art and artists.
Inclusive and Forward-Thinking
Under Chris’ leadership as President and CEO, today the Arlington Museum of Art presents art exhibits that attract visitors from all over the world. Because the organization does not have a complete permanent collection, the museum utilizes its entire venue creatively throughout the year for loaned collections, curated exhibits, and related activities including exhibit-specific lectures, art classes for adults, and diverse cultural programs. Annual children’s programs—such as Youth Art Month and Summer Art Camp—reflect the organization’s long-standing partnership with AISD as well as its commitment to nurturing life-long art lovers and the next generation of creatives.
Outside the Lines: Reimagine the AMA
By unanimous vote of the Arlington City Council on April 11, 2023, the Arlington Museum of Art officially has a new home: the Arlington Entertainment District! By late March 2024, the New AMA will offer approximately 42,000 square feet of exhibition space inside the Arlington Expo Center. That’s eight times the size (and creative potential) of our current location! The new AMA footprint will allow us to blend traditional, immersive, interactive, and evolving visual art forms in ways that will inspire, entertain, engage, and reflect our community and our world.
Our founders believed in art as a legacy gift to our community, and we’re so excited for all the ways the New AMA fulfills that vision! Thanks to our partnership with the City of Arlington, we’re being built on a platform for success. Still, there are many exciting ways for individual donors, collaborators, and partners to help our community realize the lasting legacy of a world-class art museum in Arlington. Learn how you can get involved.
Learn More
Arts, Sports and Leisure Tourism: Reimagine the AMA video
Reimagine Programming and Events in the New AMA video
Reimagine the Traditional Art experience in the New AMA video
Reimagine the AMA in its new neighborhood: The Arlington Entertainment District video
Let’s Get Together: The Community Gallery at the New AMA video
AMA announces the “Reimagine the AMA” campaign
Immerse Yourself in Art
Outside the Lines: Reimagine the AMA homepage and video
Always Something New
Arlington Museum of Art to relocate to the Entertainment District, set to open first exhibition in early 2024
