UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures
Credit UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures
Located on the UTSA Hemisfair Campus sits the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, the cultural heritage museum focusing on Texas peoples and their stories. The institute provides guests with historic and cultural exhibits, festivals and events, and educational resources for students and teachers. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, guests can expect high-caliber educational and culturally insightful experiences.
Groups can opt-in for a guided tour of the facility, a school subject focused tour (pre-k-12), or look around on a self-led tour. The student-specific tours include the Back 40, featuring five 1800s Texas Frontier buildings and pioneer life; Texans One and All, featuring the more than 20 cultures on the main exhibit floor; learning labs, or subject-specific experiences. If exploring independently, guests can expect permanent collections, special and rotating exhibits.
Permanent collections show the diverse cultural heritage of Texans past and present through stories, manuscripts, and personal artifacts. Rotating exhibits address specific aspects of Texas culture and provide artifacts that give 'tangible links to the stories and allow us to share the experiences across time and space.’ Current rotating exhibits include Brewing Up Texas, Texas in the First World War, and the student-produced The Will to Adorn. (2017) The museum’s signature event, the Texas Folklife Festival, takes place on the second weekend of June each year, offering an immersive and comprehensive look at this state's cultural background through cultural music, dance, entertainment, food, craftsmanship and more.
