The Cultural Arts Program of Hays County provides a variety of ongoing exhibitions at the Government Center to promote local artistic initiatives and encourage public engagement with the visual arts. The Arts Committee is responsible for selecting and curating the artwork for each exhibition, and they invite organizations or individuals to submit proposals for consideration. Entries can be submitted online, by phone at 512-974-4040, or in person at the Dougherty Arts Center reception. The artwork is loaned to the County free of charge, and the lender is responsible for any transactions related to the sale of works of art.
The Arts Committee reserves the right to cancel an exhibition if it is deemed necessary to protect the artwork or due to unexpected use of the building. In such cases, they may reschedule or cancel an exhibition at their discretion before its start date. If a complaint is received that a particular piece of art is offensive or inappropriate, the county judge will review it and make a decision. The lender must provide an adequate replacement for any works removed from an exhibition before its completion, subject to approval by the Arts Committee.
Hays County does not receive commissions or compensation for the sale of works of art displayed at the Government Center. However, with written approval from the building manager, the Arts Committee may allow a lender to install an exhibition under their supervision or provide assistance with installation. The County will take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of loaned works of art, but they are not liable for any damage or theft except in cases covered by their Fine Arts insurance policy. If approved, organizations or artists may also host a reception on a date and time approved by the Arts Committee.
