Mexic-Arte Museum

Why it matters: founded as a nonprofit in 1984 by artists Sylvia Orozco, Sam Coronado and Pio Pulido, Mexic-Arte is the official Mexican and Mexican American fine art museum of the State of Texas – and Orozco still runs it as executive director four decades on. Its permanent collection holds over 5,000 works, and its Screen It! and amArte programs have given art education to more than 200,000 underserved Austin youth. The galleries are compact enough for an hour, so pair a visit with the Congress Avenue murals just outside on 5th Street. Admission is $8 for adults, free for everyone on Sundays – and tickets are sold in person at the store desk only, no online booking.