The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center
The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center
3.5
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
About
The Contemporary Austin reflects the spectrum of contemporary art through exhibitions, commissions, education, and the collection. The museum has two distinct yet complementary locations, the Jones Center downtown and Laguna Gloria, a fourteen-acre site on Lake Austin, which is home to the Driscoll Villa, Gatehouse Gallery, the Art School, and the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria. Exhibitions at The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center change approximately three times per year. Visit our website for information on current exhibitions.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
29 reviews
Excellent
9
Very good
5
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
6
Julia M
Indianapolis, Indiana502 contributions
Jan 2020 • Business
When I was there its 2 smallish floors had only one exhibit. The exhibition was merely okay. Check what's on view before you go to be sure it's worth your time, but know that your entry fee also gets you into their sister facility, the Laguna Gloria villa, and that's a must see.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Totrippin
Caracas, Venezuela250 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
The thing is I don't live in Austin so I only got to see the exhibitions shown on Oct 2017, and it's not fair to judge a Museum for a couple of exhibits. I guess I was expecting quirckier. And video art is not my cup of tea. The museum is small and has a great roof top with nothing on it (?). And the people who work there couldn't be friendlier.
I would say go. For $5 you get to visit this museum and the outdoor sculpture park in Laguna Gloria, which I unfortunately missed.
I would say go. For $5 you get to visit this museum and the outdoor sculpture park in Laguna Gloria, which I unfortunately missed.
Written October 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DavidG897
London, UK2,997 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
This had exhibitions demonstrating that not all art appeals to this reviewer.
The upside down urban video was at least understanding whereas the abstracts that dominated floor 2 were at best appealing to peopke with a different taste
At least it is free on Tuesdays
The upside down urban video was at least understanding whereas the abstracts that dominated floor 2 were at best appealing to peopke with a different taste
At least it is free on Tuesdays
Written June 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aimee E
San Clemente, CA55 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We came on the free day and I’m so glad we didn’t. This place is super small and parking is tough even on the middle of a weekday. The employee who welcomed us was nice but the employees on the two floors of the museum were too much.
They told us we can’t use flash photography - ok no problem. Then they said we can’t take video...ok. The employee (an older woman in a plaid skirt) proceeded to follow us around, never being more than two feet away. Her pretentious attitude towards us was apparent from the moment we entered.
We didn’t do anything wrong, and we aren’t teenagers so I don’t know what we did to deserve this treatment. It was utterly unnecessary.
All the art was wacky, and only from one artist.
Parking in a structure nearby was $3/15 minutes. Unbelievable.
Please save your money and time, go to the Blanton art museum instead.
They told us we can’t use flash photography - ok no problem. Then they said we can’t take video...ok. The employee (an older woman in a plaid skirt) proceeded to follow us around, never being more than two feet away. Her pretentious attitude towards us was apparent from the moment we entered.
We didn’t do anything wrong, and we aren’t teenagers so I don’t know what we did to deserve this treatment. It was utterly unnecessary.
All the art was wacky, and only from one artist.
Parking in a structure nearby was $3/15 minutes. Unbelievable.
Please save your money and time, go to the Blanton art museum instead.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeingThereNow
Albuquerque, NM46 contributions
Jan 2020
This exhibition space is beautifully engaged with the help of clearly talented curators collaborating with a set of brilliant artists. We roamed the exhibition, THE SORCERER'S BURDEN, and delighted in each turn. The staff were informed, friendly, and watchful to protect the art works. We highly recommend The Contemporary Austin Jones Center.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph W
Los Angeles, CA4 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
This is a large gallery space rather than a museum. Excellent, thoughtful exhibitions of contemporary art that would never otherwise be seen in the Austin area. In the middle of the vibrant Austin downtown. They also host art related events and film screenings. My only wish would that it were larger. Otherwise recommended.
Written April 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen Carpi
Southlake, TX22 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
There are two rooms with minimal art. $10 for a couple (mandatory, no longer donation-based). See picture, that's about the extent of the first floor.
Written June 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blueroo292
New York City, NY27 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Went with some friends one afternoon thinking we could spend the afternoon with some nice contemporary art.
First, the museum is small - three stories is a lie. There are 2 rooms and a roof (with nothing there - the roof exhibit is the words you see from outside the museum).
The remaining two rooms have only a few pieces of art. You can get in and out in 30 mins.
Second, the admission price of 10 per person ($30 for my group!) is quite steep given the small size of the museum. The art is mediocre at best.
Third, there was a performance the day we went, so 15 mins after we got there, the 2nd floor closed off!! The lady at the desk made no mention of this when we had to buy our tickets
We were very disappointed. Should have gone to a bar nearby instead...
First, the museum is small - three stories is a lie. There are 2 rooms and a roof (with nothing there - the roof exhibit is the words you see from outside the museum).
The remaining two rooms have only a few pieces of art. You can get in and out in 30 mins.
Second, the admission price of 10 per person ($30 for my group!) is quite steep given the small size of the museum. The art is mediocre at best.
Third, there was a performance the day we went, so 15 mins after we got there, the 2nd floor closed off!! The lady at the desk made no mention of this when we had to buy our tickets
We were very disappointed. Should have gone to a bar nearby instead...
Written April 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J-from-Marysville
Marysville, OH1,006 contributions
Apr 2018 • Business
I was shocked at the sparseness of exhibits. Thankfully, I was there for a business event and didn't pay for admission to the exhibits. Unless you have a reason to be there, I can't see any reason to go. There rooftop event area is nice, however.
Written April 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricio B
Mexico City, Mexico602 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
We paid $10 dollars for 2 adults to go into a contemporary museum. The museum had a first floor exhibit which was composed by a maze (stillo in construction) with 4 displays, then we went to the second floor expecting to see a museum and we ended up in a 1 room museum with 4 pieces in display!!!!
When we asked where to continue our tour they simply answered... That's it!
WHAT ????
Yup that's it.
The ticket includes a park somewhere in the city with more exhibits, but after our disastrous experience we decided to skip it.
This has to be the worst museum er have ever gone to. SKIP IT.
When we asked where to continue our tour they simply answered... That's it!
WHAT ????
Yup that's it.
The ticket includes a park somewhere in the city with more exhibits, but after our disastrous experience we decided to skip it.
This has to be the worst museum er have ever gone to. SKIP IT.
Written January 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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