Arlington Museum of Art, Art museum in Arlington, Texas.
The Arlington Museum of Art is a non-collecting museum now housed in about 48,000 square feet of the Esports Stadium and Expo Center in Arlington's Entertainment District, near Choctaw Stadium. It mounts traveling exhibitions in partnership with museums and private collectors, from Ansel Adams photographs and Dalí works to Picasso ceramics and Harlem Renaissance art.
The museum traces its origin to the Arlington Art Association, founded by Howard and Arista Joyner in 1952. In 1986 the association bought the former J. C. Penney store on Main Street, moved in after remodeling in 1989, and opened its first exhibition in May 1990. In 2024 it relocated to about 48,000 square feet in the Esports Stadium and Expo Center.
The museum's name traces to the Arlington Art Association, founded in 1952 by Howard and Arista Joyner; Howard set up the art department at the University of Texas at Arlington and Arista was Arlington High School's first art teacher. The association raised scholarship money for local high school students through juried shows and art auctions. Director Joan Davidow (1991–2000) ran a children's art summer camp and a Saturday-afternoon family program tied to each exhibition.
The museum is located in the Entertainment District and opens Wednesday through Sunday for visitors. Parking is available at no cost, making it convenient to visit.
In 2016 the museum drew attention when it removed a satirical poster depicting Donald Trump from an exhibition after a board member objected. The episode shows how exhibition decisions are made by a board of directors rather than by curators alone.
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