Blanton Museum sees record attendance in 2024, despite half of US museums reporting low numbers

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's Blanton Museum of Art welcomed a record-breaking number of visitors in 2024, contrasting a struggle that nearly half of all museums in the country are facing.

According to a release from the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin, the museum welcomed 260,899 visitors during the 2024 calendar year. That number exceeds numbers seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, something many other museums across the country are struggling to bounce back from.

A recent survey by the American Alliance of Museums indicated that half of U.S. museums reported attendance levels below pre-pandemic figures. The Blanton’s attendance last year exceeded previous highs, per the release.

The Blanton said the record-breaking attendance followed a period of "significant growth and transformation" for the museum, which included renovation of the grounds — almost 200,000 square feet of redesigned public outdoor space with new architectural features designed by award-winning firm Snøhetta, large-scale artworks, the Moody Patio and the Butler Sound Gallery.

“Over the last decade, initiatives like the opening of ‘Austin’ by Ellsworth Kelly, our groundbreaking exhibitions and education programs, and most recently, the redesign of our grounds by the internationally acclaimed firm Snøhetta, have played a key role in establishing us as one of the most highly attended and prestigious university art museums in the country,” said Director Simone Wicha. “As the primary art museum for both UT Austin and the greater Austin community, welcoming and engaging a wide audience is central to our mission. The grounds reinforced this by expanding the museum experience outdoors with the Moody Patio and Butler Sound Gallery. We’re thrilled to see such a positive response from Austinites, the University community and visitors from across the country and world.” 

The Blanton also noted that it has worked to expand its programs to keep up with the city of Austin's rapid growth, saying it has seen a significant increase in tourist visitation. In 2024, tourists accounted for more than 50% of paid attendance, the majority visiting on weekends, according to the museum.

The Blanton Museum offers free access to its grounds, which includes the Moody Patio, Butler Sound Gallery, and several notable art installations, plus free admission to its galleries and Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin” (the temple for light) on Tuesdays.

The Blanton Museum also saw its largest-ever attendance on an Austin Museum Day this year, with more than 7,500 visitors for the citywide free museum admission day.