History

A Life With Vision

The Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum is named for the woman whose vision and efforts culminated in the establishment of what has become a unique educational resource for Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD). Nearly 50 years ago, Altharetta Yeargin, a former art teacher and area art coordinator for SBISD, donated a collection of artifacts to the district. She and her husband had gathered these during their travels around the world. The collection became the basis for the Art Center, an innovative, museum style exhibit, that was originally housed at Memorial Middle School. The Art Center served as a fine arts field trip destinatioin for SBISD's elementary students for many years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Real World Experience

The Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum collects and exhibits the art of world cultures in all mediums and periods. With over 600 pieces, the museum collection contains a large body of cultural pieces from around the world.

According to US News and World Report, August 2022:

"Arts education can help kids:

  • Engage with school and reduce stress.
  • Develop social-emotional and interpersonal skills.
  • Enrich their experiences.
  • Handle constructive criticism.
  • Bolster academic achievement.
  • Improve focus."

Through the coordination of exhibits with school curriculum, the museum is able to bring subject matter to life in a tangible way. Field trips visits by all SBISD 2nd graders are a yearly event, as are the road shows by museum facilitators who visit SBISD kindergarten and 1st grade students.

Saturday programs and adult art classes are scheduled throughout the year.

 

A New Home

With the addition of significant art donations from community members, the Art Center collection eventually outgrew its classroom home, creating the need for a larger, more permanent display space. With the blessing of Mrs. Yeargin, continuous support from SBISD's Board of Trustees and a $600,000 donation from the Houston Coca-Cola Bottling Company, a site for the Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum was designated on the campus of the Westchester Academy for International Studies. SBISD's architects partnered with the Smithsonian Institution in the planning and design of this state of the art facility, which included 3 galleries, an art classroom, Kiva for presentations, and a vault for artwork storage.

 

Serving All Houston-Area School Districts

The museum is open to the public. Docent-guided tours for both SBISD and outside district groups are available by appointment. As a site for student and public visits, staff development, district art events and after-hours programming, the museum offers learning opportunities and cultural enrichment not only to SBISD, but all Houston-area school districts and communities.