Updated: 7/26/2010 
Institute of Texan Cultures
San Antonio, Texas
Description

The Institute of Texan Cultures is located in downtown San Antonio, a short walk from the Alamo and the River Walk. The complex features exhibits and displays that tell the stories of Texans.

The Institute of Texan Cultures serves as the forum for the understanding and appreciation of Texas and Texans.

History

The Institute of Texan Cultures opened as the Texas Pavilion during HemisFair 68. During the fair's six-month run, the exhibit was so well received that the decision was made to keep it open and expand its scope to incorporate a wide variety of educational programs. Today, as part of The University of Texas at San Antonio, the Institute serves as the forum for the understanding and appreciation of Texas and Texans through its research, collections, exhibits and programs. The Exhibit Floor contains permanent exhibits of more than 20 ethnic and cultural groups that have settled Texas. Approximately 300,000 people visit the Institute annually, including 80,000 school children from public and private schools throughout the state.

Artifact Collections

The Institute of Texan Cultures produces and maintains exhibits that explore Texas’s cultural heritage, focusing primarily on the lifestyles and historical contributions of its varied ethnic groups.

Research Collections

Curatorial Collections accepts both donations and loans for exhibition and research. Artifacts of cultural and unique value are not used for demonstration purposes and are handled only by Curatorial staff and trained Curatorial volunteers. Curatorial collections are placed in secure, climate-controlled storage until it goes on exhibit. Artifacts are researched by our team who develop the exhibit content.

Programs

Public programming,Family educational programs,Traveling exhibits and trunks( 800) 776-7651 or (210) 458-2292 Tex-Kits, Lifetimes: The Texas Experience,Symposia Docent tours,Oral history,Educational outreach,Speakers Bureau Special events, Pre-service/In-service teacher workshops ,Internships,Texas Folklife Festiva.

ITC has created strong outreach programs, which are utilized by schools and communities throughout the state. These programs range from traveling trunks containing artifact reproduction, activity cards, audiovisual materials, and books, which may be rented for two to four week periods, to Tex-Kits - boxes of artifacts on a variety of subjects that travel to schools with volunteers/staff members for hands-on discussions. Another resource is the ITC Speakers Bureau, whose members speak on topics such as folk medicine, Texas women, the Texas Folklife Festival, and the work of the Institute, etc. (Although most staff and volunteers must usually confine presentations to the greater San Antonio area, the Institute s statewide Ambassadors may sometimes address audiences in other parts of the state.)

ITC's weekday radio program, Lifetimes: The Texas Experience, presents 90-second stories on Texas people, places, and events. The Institute s annual multi-day event in June, the Texas Folklife Festival celebrates the diversity of the state through the music, food, stories, and crafts of more than 40 different ethnic and cultural groups.

Teacher training, a critical element of the Institute's mission, is carried out through a variety of in-service educational programs.

The Institute collaborates with The University of Texas at San Antonio on several programs and projects. These include training programs for university education students, opportunities for internships, and library services for UTSA students.

Library

Access: General Public

Appointment required: False

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