The Contemporary Arts Museum

The Contemporary Arts Museum was founded in 1948 by a group of seven Houston citizens to present new art and to document its role in modern life through exhibitions, public and educational programs, and publications. The Museum occupies the famous stainless steel building in the heart of the Houston Museum District.
Group Tours: Schools and other groups may schedule a tour of any exhibition, free of charge, with our specially trained gallery teachers.
Lectures & Events: The Museum offers several gallery talks for every exhibition, presenting an array of ideas on each show-voices which range from exhibiting artists to international scholars to interesting viewpoints from related fields. Talks are given in conjunction with Brown Foundation Gallery exhibitions; Perspectives Talks are presented for the Perspectives gallery shows; and Evening Talks at Steel Lounge are offered in conjunction with Houston Chronicle Steel Lounge, for those who wish to learn more about the exhibitions on view.
Held in the spring, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston’s Annual Gala offers members and donors the chance to celebrate contemporary art during an evening of charm, fun and elegance. From a surprise theme to a special auction of a limited number of special works of art, the Gala always offers fine dining and a chance to dance the night away while showing support for contemporary art.
The Contemporary Arts Museum offers a variety of educational programs that reflect the diversity of its audiences. Through regularly scheduled events for children, teens, students and adults, the Museum is dedicated to creating exciting ways for visitors to access, enjoy, and learn more about contemporary art and artists. For each major exhibition, there is a Houston Chronicle Family Day, offering family tours and hands-on art activities related to the current exhibition.
The Contemporary Arts Museum is a vibrant forum for artists and all audiences, and for critical, scholarly, and public discourse.
The Museum Shop at the Contemporary Arts Museum offers a diverse selection of books, periodicals, and exhibition catalogues related to contemporary art, as well as a wide array of unusual gifts, including artist and designer-made jewelry and educational toys and games for children. The Museum Shop maintains an inventory of many art books and exhibition catalogues from around the world. If a title is not in stock, it can be ordered for you.
There are a variety of ways in which you can support the Museum’s mission. Join us in celebrating the art of our time! Members and donors provide on-going support for a lively program of exhibitions and education opportunities for visitors of all ages. By supporting the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, you take an active role in furthering the dialogue about today’s art.