Step into the story of how a small community museum grew into the vibrant cultural institution known today as the Art Museum of Southeast Texas. A Legacy of Collecting: Beaumont Art Museum invites visitors to journey through the museum’s formative years—spanning from its founding in 1950 through 1987—told through the artworks and moments that defined each decade.

The exhibition is thoughtfully organized into four galleries, each representing a distinct era of the museum’s history: the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980–1987. As you move through the space, you’ll experience how the museum’s collection evolved—reflecting not only the changing art world, but also the growth of Beaumont’s own creative community.

In each gallery, artworks from the permanent collection are paired with historical context—archival photographs, newspaper clippings, and wall texts that capture the energy and ambition of the time. Together, they tell the story of the people who shaped the Beaumont Art Museum: artists, collectors, volunteers, and visionaries who believed in the power of art to connect and inspire.

Adding another layer to the experience, visitors can listen to recorded insights from our Curator of Exhibitions, offering a behind-the-scenes perspective on the museum’s early years and its transformation into the Art Museum of Southeast Texas we know today.

“A Legacy of Collecting: Beaumont Art Museum” is more than an exhibition—it’s a celebration of the community’s enduring commitment to art, history, and the shared creative spirit that continues to define Southeast Texas.