The Antonio E. Garcia Arts & Education Center will no longer provide educational programming out of its Westside location, as Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi transitions to a "school-based delivery model" next year.
The center, named for South Texas artist Antonio Encarnación Garcia Sr., focuses on art, education and literacy. It has been active since 1993, partnering with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to provide educational and counseling programming since 2004.
It's unclear what will become of the facility itself, which is owned by the city of Corpus Christi. A&M-Corpus Christi currently provides programming at the center through an agreement with the Art Museum of South Texas that is set to expire Dec. 31.
The university will begin
providing programming directly in participating area schools starting in January, according to a Sept. 30 news release.
The university has already tested this model with a pilot program held at West Oso Middle School last spring. The 2026 Islander Enrichment Academy served about 20 students in after-school sessions on financial literacy, literacy coaching and counseling, according to the news release.
“The Island University remains committed to serving all students and families, including those on the Westside," Joshua Watson, dean of the A&M-Corpus Christi College of Education and Human Development, said in the news release. "We view this shift as an expansion of that commitment. Bringing programming directly into schools removes barriers and broadens our reach across the region.”
The news release states that there have been transportation barriers that limited student participation at the Garcia Center.
Beyond the West Oso Middle School program, the university is focusing on an outreach and needs assessment with area partners, including the Corpus Christi Independent School District, this fall.
The news release also states that conversations are ongoing with the city of Corpus Christi and the Westside Business Association regarding the future of the Garcia Center.
“The Westside Business Association supports this next chapter for the Garcia Center and looks forward to continuing our partnership with the university,” read a statement attributed to the Westside Business Association Board of Directors in the news release. “We believe that when our schools, university, businesses, and community organizations work together, our children and our community are the ultimate beneficiaries.”
The art museum will continue offering arts education in the Coastal Bend, according to the news release.
“It has been a privilege to work with, teach, learn from, and build relationships with the staff, visitors, supporters, students, and families who have made the Garcia Center such a special part of our community,” art museum Director Sara Sells Morgan said in the news release. “We will continue our commitment to arts education throughout the Coastal Bend, offered across multiple community locations, and we’ll continue serving children and families where they live, learn, and gather while honoring the Garcia Center’s legacy.”
Olivia Garrett reports on education and community news in South Texas. Contact her at olivia.garrett@caller.com.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Changes for Garcia Center: University, museum not renewing agreement
