San Antonio Art Scene: Art Museums and Galleries

SeaWorld - San Antonio

Beluga

Come face to face with a variety of interesting marine life such as this Beluga.  ©2006 Busch Entertainment Corporation.  All rights reserved.

San Antonio may be known for such historical sites as the Alamo and tourist hotspots like the Riverwalk and Sea World San Antonio, but this cultural city also has a vibrant art community. The many local art galleries and museums are home to everything from renowned classical pieces and contemporary works to those composed by budding local artists. Whether you are an art expert or you simply enjoy looking at a few pieces from time to time, the artwork on display in San Antonio's many galleries and museums is not to be missed!

The McNay Art Museum is located on North New Braunfels Avenue in the famous Alamo Heights district. When this renowned museum originally opened its doors in 1954, it was the first fine arts museum in the whole state. Upon opening, the museum showcased the collection of the late Marion Koogler McNay inside her own historic mansion. Over the decades, the museum has acquired over ten thousand amazing works of art, including American and European paintings and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum also includes a gift shop, an expansive library, and a three hundred seat auditorium. If you visit the McNay Art Museum at certain times of the year, you can enjoy special events the museum hosts, including the Annual McNay Holiday Market, the Holiday Champagne Brunch, and Contemporary Art Month, to name just a few.

South of the McNay Art Museum and just off of Interstate 35 in the heart of the city, you will find the San Antonio Museum of Art. This large museum boasts an impressive display of art pieces spanning the centuries and the globe. Here, you can spend hours enjoying the beauty of art pieces from the Ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as Asia, Europe, and North America. The San Antonio Museum of Art also features special wings to display its Latin and Asian art collections in the Lenora and Walter F. Brown Asian Art Wing and The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art. In addition to displaying an amazing variety of art pieces, this museum also hosts special events, exhibits, and festivals throughout the year to promote the arts.

A few miles west of the San Antonio Museum of Art and also off of Interstate 35, the Southwest School of Art and Craft on Augusta Street promotes art instruction for residents and visitors in the San Antonio area. The state of the art school features a variety of art programs for adults, teens, and children. With working artists as instructors and large studio classrooms, this art school fosters the creative spirit in San Antonio. Certificate programs are available through the courses offered. The school also offers exhibits, lectures, concerts, and other events, including the annual Fiesta Arts Fair.

Take some time to explore the cultural side of San Antonio by visiting the city's fine art museums and galleries during your visit!