A Salute to San
Antonio Museums
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of
the American Association of Museums
By LEIGH BALDWIN
Photography CYNTHIA CLARK

In the 100 years since its founding in 1906, the American Association of Museums (AAM) has followed its mission of “enhancing the value of museums to their communities through leadership, advocacy, and service.”
   The results of their efforts and the efforts of the 16,000 museums existing in nine out of every 10 counties throughout the United States are impressive:

• more than half of these museums have free admission;
• approximately 865,000,000 people from all ages, groups and backgrounds attend museums on an annual basis;
• museums in the United States hold more than 750,000,000 objects and living specimens;
• American families view museums as one of the most important resources for educating their children, and
  
• museums have responded with an annual investment of more than $1,000,000,000 and 18,000,000 hours of educational programming for elementary and secondary school students

In celebration of this 100th anniversary, 2006 has been proclaimed “the year of the museum.” Museums and their patrons all across the country are encouraged to join together and celebrate the importance of these great community assets.

San Antonio’s museums are celebrating anniversary years also. The granddaddy of museums in the Alamo City is, of course, the Witte Museum -- celebrating the 80th year since it first opened for business in 1926. Founded as a museum of art, science and natural history, the Witte has continuously provided the San Antonio community with a panoply of programs as varied as its collections.

Through the years the Witte has also spawned several other institutions including the San Antonio Museum of Art, the San Antonio Art League and the Museum of Transportation. With its art collection spun off to the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Witte has been able to focus more on natural history and science. The recently renovated HEB Science Treehouse provides hands-on activities for children and adults to experience basic science concepts in a fun and colorful atmosphere.

The Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. As the first modern art museum in Texas, the McNay reflects its founder’s excellent taste and commitment to “the advancement and enjoyment of modern art.” Mrs. McNay’s will bequeathed her important art collection, her 24-room Spanish colonial revival-style mansion, the 23 acres of grounds on which it is sited and an endowment for operating the museum.

William J. Chiego, the second of the McNay’s two directors in her 52 years, summing up his perspective, says, “We are blessed with a uniquely beautiful setting and an internationally recognized collection that creates a memorable and rewarding experience for our visitors. The McNay is also proud to be part of a city that has grown remarkably as a cultural and artistic center, with great sister museums, many exciting artists and exceptional studio programs. As a member of the American Association of Museums, we encourage our San Antonio friends, neighbors and visitors to experience and celebrate the year of the museum.”

The San Antonio Museum of Art is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It was 1981 when the San Antonio Museum Association opened this museum in the historic Lone Star Brewery, built in 1884. In 1994 the association formally split into two museums: the Witte Memorial Museum, with its focus on science and natural history, and the San Antonio Museum of Art, focused entirely on art works. SAMA’s collections include American, ancient, Asian (in the Lenora and Walter F. Brown Asian Art Wing that debuted in 2005), European, contemporary and Oceanic art as well as the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art that opened in 1998.  Plans for the development of the River Walk call for visitors to be able to board a river taxi downtown and ferry all the way upriver through a series of locks to a landing at the San Antonio Museum of Art in the near future.

Also planned for the fall of 2006 is the opening of Museo Americano, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and one component of Centro Alameda -- The National Center for Latino Arts and Culture. The Museo Americano will be able to draw from the collections of the Smithsonian for part of its exhibits while still exhibiting the works of local, regional and national Latino artists. It is hoped that the Museo’s proximity to El Mercado will give them a large audience, and in another 25 years they will be celebrating anniversaries of their own.

Every museum provides opportunities for families to experience art and culture in a new way. Please join in the celebration of the year of the museum by attending and enjoying the insights they have to offer.

Charlie Jarrell is the cultural/heritage marketing manager for the City of San Antonio’s Office of Cultural Affairs