Experience Austin's Vibrant Asian Arts Scene
Art connoisseurs have a full itinerary all their own. Home to world-class museums and galleries, Austin’s burgeoning creative scene is home to visual artists, performers, filmmakers and writers such as Jieun Beth, PJ Raval, Vy Ngo and many others. Check out this list for a small selection of the many Asian American and Pacific Islander artists, performing arts organizations and comedians to see during your visit.
Iron Tree Trunk, Ai Weiwei. Courtesy The Contemporary Austin, Credit Brian Fitzsimmons.
Asian American Cultural Center (AACC)
Founded in 2000 and designed to provide a unique space for sharing culture between the East and the West in the Austin experience, the AACC provides childcare, health and immigration resources, cultural activities, senior services and recreational activities. It also created the Dragon Boat Festival and Races, a traditional event taking place downtown on Lady Bird Lake each year.
Ai Weiwei Installation
Born in 1957 in Beijing, Ai Weiwei is a Chinese political activist whose prolific art is known around the globe. See his piece, Iron Tree Trunk, featured in collaboration with The Contemporary Austin’s Museum Without Walls program. This fifteen-foot-high replica of a dead tree trunk is located at The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria.
Asian American Resource Center
Opened October 1, 2013 off of Cameron Road, this city facility was a long-awaited dream for many community members. Designed by members of the local AAPI community, the center houses art exhibits as well as community meeting rooms, a kitchen, ballroom, pingpong tables, resource library and a zen garden.
Lung Family House Historical Landmark
Visit the home of one of the first Chinese families to settle in Austin (private residence). The Lungs opened Lung’s Chinese Kitchen, one of the first Chinese restaurants in the city. Their daughter, Inez Lung Lee, was a teacher and Chinese missionary in Austin.
Sing Family House Historical Landmark
Stop by the house where the Sing family, who first settled in Austin in the early 1900s, lived at 1705 Willow St. (private residence). Joe Sing was a great contributor to the economic growth of Travis County. He started Hong Lee Laundry and provided service to many state legislators and Austinites
Taniguchi Japanese Garden. Courtesy of Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy.
Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden in Zilker Botanical Garden
Opened to the public in 1969, Mr. Taniguchi, then 70 years old, worked without salary or contract to transform three acres of rugged hillside into a peaceful garden. Be sure to check out the ponds in the first half of the garden that spell out “AUSTIN,” reflecting that these gardens were constructed as a gift to the city.
Insider Tip — Check out Barton Springs Pool, Umlauf Sculpture Garden and the Botanical Gardens in one fell swoop as they're all located in the Zilker Park area.
Lotus Gallery
Francisca Tung opened Lotus Gallery in 2001 with a focus on Asian art and antiquities. Visit to view a curated selection of art and sculptures, jewelry, furniture and more. Tung's collection includes pieces from a number of decades, continents and cultures, showcasing the diversity of the Asian community in Austin and beyond.
Henna Arts
Henna is an ancient body art form that dates back centuries. Henna Arts provides services for personal henna or events.
For more arts and culture recommendations, explore the Austin Insider Blog.
