The Contemporary Austin
Mario Villanueva is an experienced professional in event management and marketing, currently serving as Events & Experience Manager and formerly as Experience & Engagement Manager at The Contemporary Austin since March 2022. Prior to this role, Mario worked at Mexic-Arte Museum as Marketing & Events Associate from May 2019 to March 2022, where responsibilities included content development, social media coordination, and event logistics. Further experience includes freelance graphic design and marketing coordination at mjvc.rocks from 2015 to May 2019, and serving as Marketing Manager at StartOut, where Mario implemented effective marketing strategies. Additional roles include Gallery Assistant at Blanton Museum of Art and Art Counselor at Dougherty Arts School. Mario holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Design and Visual Communications from Texas State University, earned in 2016.
The Contemporary Austin
Our Mission We invite you to discover contemporary art in settings that provoke thought and joy. Our programs join art with place in a pursuit of a deeper experience, a bigger conversation, and a closer community. Our Vision We believe in the capacity of art to transform lives. We dream of a future where more eyes, ears, hearts and minds are opened by contemporary art in all of its forms. Our Values Extending the Welcome – We want every person to feel like they belong here. Our invitation is completely open and inclusive. Always Caring - We know that details matter. We care deeply about the quality of our work and about the experiences of our guests, the artists we collaborate with, our staff, and all those we have yet to meet. Socially Mindful - We believe that contemporary art is a way for people to connect their personal experiences with the broader social and cultural dialogues of our place and time. Staying Curious - We observe closely, listen intently, and inquire sincerely because we have a boundless fascination with people, art and ideas. Making Progress - We always want to be better—to inspire more deeply, to engage more openly, and to serve more joyfully. We are mindful of feedback and committed to ongoing reflection and iteration. Being Here - A place can transform your experience of art, and art can transform your experience of a place. We activate our downtown exhibition space and our lakeside sculpture park in imaginative ways to serve Austin. Trying New Things - We believe in the importance of experimentation, play, and the surprise that often results from trying something new. We know that progress comes through both bravery and vulnerability.