Austin, TX — The City of Austin’s Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME)—in collaboration with the Austin Convention Center—has worked closely with artists to relocate and preserve four legacy art installations previously housed in the Convention Center and approved for deaccession. Thanks to the collaboration and dedication of the artists and their families, the Arts Commission, and various stakeholders, the City was able to reach mutually beneficial agreements with three of the four artists. The City’s ultimate goal is to ensure that each piece continues to enrich the lives of Austinites and visitors alike. The four artworks include:

• Waller Creek Shelves, by Damian Priour, will be relocated from the Austin Convention Center to the Austin Public Library, where it will remain publicly accessible and part of the City of Austin’s Art in Public Places (AIPP) collection.
• Macro/Micro, by Rolando Briseño, will also stay in the AIPP collection. A digital re-creation is being developed, and future plans for relocation are being considered.
• Riffs & Rhythms, by John Yancey, is being carefully removed from the Austin Convention Center this week through a collaborative partnership. Upon removal, the ownership of the piece will transfer to Mr. Yancey. Discussions are underway regarding a potential reinstallation in East Austin’s historic African American Heritage Cultural District.
• Index for Contemplation, by Margo Sawyer, has been removed by the artist in accordance with an existing contractual agreement. ACME staff are optimistic that the work will remain publicly accessible and are exploring options to retain the work as a legacy installation in the new Convention Center. However, if the artist chooses to reclaim the piece, the City will respect her decision.

"ACME is a strong advocate for the preservation of artwork," said Angela Means, Director of the Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment. "We recognize that meaningful partnerships are essential to meeting the ever-evolving needs of our creative community and the public. As we look to Austin’s cultural landscape, we will continue to explore innovative solutions and strategic collaborations that reflect our city’s values."

In line with this commitment, ACME will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the AIPP program to ensure its continued relevance, accessibility, and alignment with the City’s cultural and economic goals. This assessment will be informed by community input, national best practices, and the diverse needs of Austin’s artistic community.

“We seek to create an inclusive, thriving ecosystem where art, culture, music, and entertainment continue to shape and define Austin’s identity,” Means said.

# # #