MUMENTOUS, a multi-media art exhibit based on the photography of Amy J. Schultz, is one of ITC’s two debut exhibits

The UT San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) reopened to the public on January 29, 2026, in a newly designed, purpose-built space in downtown San Antonio. The reopening marks the completion of an 18-month transformation to create a fresh, dynamic experience that celebrates the state’s cultural heritage.

“This new chapter positions the Institute of Texan Cultures for the future,” said Monica Perales, associate vice provost for the ITC. “Our team has worked tirelessly to create a museum experience that feels both fresh and familiar. We’ve reimagined how we engage visitors, blending artifacts, stories and interactive elements to highlight the rich cultures of Texas. We’re excited to welcome visitors back and invite them to be part of this ongoing story.”

The exhibits at ITC will change over time, mirroring the movement and impact of people who call the Lone Star state home. The two debut exhibits are Common Threads and MUMENTOUS®: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition.

Common Threads

In the main gallery, Common Threads is the premier central exhibition for the ITC at its new home in Frost Tower. It features thematic presentations of artifacts and archival materials that reveal the threads that weave a dynamic, living cultural tapestry. This display bridges three collections under the UT San Antonio umbrella, with selections from the ITC Collection, Special Collections, and Art Collection, as well as loans from the community. Our goal is to tell a fuller story of all Texas peoples, connecting our past with the present, and inspiring the future.

A highlight of the main gallery is the ITC’s beloved neon Texas Flag, preserved from the former Texas Pavilion. This iconic piece serves as both a connection to the museum’s past and a unifying symbol within the new ITC experience. Additionally, the museum features three specially crafted benches made from the granite of the Pavilion’s entrance. Learn more at texancultures.utsa.edu/exhibits/common-threads.

MUMENTOUS: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition

*Amy J. Schultz at the ITC ribbon-cutting, Jan. 28, 2026*

In the rotating gallery is the museum’s first visiting exhibition in its new home. MUMENTOUS: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition is an artistic, sociological, and personal exploration of a deeply rooted and unique Texas high school tradition: the exchange and wearing of huge artificial floral “corsages” to homecoming football games. This exhibit explores a ritual that has stood the test of time and the people that keep the tradition alive.

MUMENTOUS, which is organized by the Arlington Museum of Art, features the photography of Amy J. Schultz and a variety of mums on loan from members of the community. These dazzling floral creations have evolved into elaborate, expressive works of art that reflect personal stories, school pride, and regional identity. MUMENTOUS will be on display from January 29 - March 15, 2026.

Learn more at texancultures.utsa.edu/exhibits/mumentous.

Texas Tapestry: Patterns of Belonging

A custom mural, Texas Tapestry: Patterns of Belonging, spans the lobby’s floor-to-ceiling back wall and greets visitors as they enter the museum. Inspired by fabrics, native plants and traditional motifs, the mural by artist duo Sandra Gonzalez McKinney and Malachy McKinney weaves together the state’s many cultural influences.

“These combined elements support a central goal of the new ITC experience: meaningful participation, connection and understanding,” said Bianca Alvarez, ITC head curator. “We wanted to create an immersive experience, weaving audio, projection and interactive technology into the space. The result is an environment where visitors can explore Texas culture in new and engaging ways.”

ITC’s New Home

Set in downtown San Antonio and a short walk from the Alamo, the Spanish Governor’s Palace, Market Square and the revitalized Legacy Park, the ITC’s new location brings the museum’s celebration of Texas history and culture into one of the city’s most storied areas. The move positions the institute at the crossroads of local heritage tourism and community life.

“This is a fresh museum experience,” Perales said. “We hope visitors find new connections to the stories and traditions that define Texas. Being in San Antonio’s historic downtown district is an exciting milestone in our evolution.”

“The joy of this place is that it doesn’t focus on just one culture or a single idea of Texas,” ITC docent Joanne Duming said. “It reflects the many communities and people who helped shape our state, and that’s the story we want to share.”

About the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures

The Institute of Texan Cultures, which is part of the University of Texas at San Antonio, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of the people who have shaped Texas. Through exhibitions, public programs, research and community partnerships, the ITC highlights the state’s rich cultural heritage and varied traditions. The museum serves as a resource for lifelong learning and a platform for engaging with the many identities, histories and lived experiences that contribute to Texas’s past, present and future.

UT San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures
111 W. Houston St., Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78205

Hours of Operation

Thursday-Sunday, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Wednesdays reserved for school field trips
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

Get Tickets

To celebrate the museum’s debut, admission is free from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. Regular admission pricing begins on Thursday, Feb. 5. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for youth ages 5–17; $5 for seniors 65+ and military personnel with ID; and free for children under age 5 and UT San Antonio faculty, staff and students with ID.

For online ticketing, group tours, field trip bookings, ITC resources and additional information, see the ITC website at texancultures.utsa.edu/visit.