The UT San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) will reopen to the public on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in a newly designed, purpose-built space at its new location at 111 W. Houston St., Suite 100, at the corner of Camaron Street 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.”
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.
“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.”
The main gallery, “Common Threads,” brings Texas stories to life through four thematic areas highlighting home and family, heritage and traditions, arts and culture, and community celebrations. Drawing upon the institute’s collections and decades of collected stories, the gallery integrates multimedia projections and interactive stations to engage visitors in layered storytelling.
Panoramic displays showcase regions across Texas while touchscreen discovery stations encourage guests explore artifacts in depth and uncover insights into craftsmanship, resources, migration and community.
During a recent sneak preview for third- and fourth-graders from St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, educators experienced firsthand how the new galleries support learning and connection.
“As an educator, I’m always looking for experiences students can connect with, and I saw so much of that here,” third-grade teacher Genevieve Havard said. “The exhibits helped students recognize elements from their own culture and family life; it truly made learning come alive.”
“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.”
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.
“We thoughtfully considered which artifacts best represent the ITC’s history, and the neon flag rose to the top every time,” Perales said. “It captures the heart of what this museum is about — Texas and Texans. It reminds us of where we’ve been and shines a light on where we’re headed.”
Beyond the main gallery, the museum’s traveling exhibit space will host rotating installations. The inaugural show, “Mumentous®: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition,” explores the evolution of the high-school homecoming mum. The exhibit will be on display through March 15.
“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.”
A custom mural, “Texas Tapestry: Patterns of Belonging,” that spans the lobby’s floor-to-ceiling back wall, 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.
To celebrate the museum’s debut, admission will be free during the opening week, Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. Regular admission pricing will begin 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.
Regular operating hours will be Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Wednesdays reserved for school field trips. For online ticketing, group tours, field trip bookings, ITC resources and additional information, see the ITC website at TexanCultures.utsa.edu/visit.
About the Institute of Texan Cultures
The Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC), 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.
ITC Mission Statement
The Institute of Texan Cultures at the University of Texas at San Antonio unites people to explore, celebrate and share the living cultures and stories that shape Texas — past, present, and future.