CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will move its educational programming from the Antonio E. Garcia Arts & Education Center into individual area schools beginning in January 2027, the university announced Wednesday.
The shift ends the university's physical presence at the Garcia Center, where its memorandum of understanding with the Art Museum of South Texas expires December 31, 2026, and will not be renewed. The building, owned by the City of Corpus Christi and leased by the Art Museum of South Texas, is not closing. Conversations about the facility's future use are ongoing between the city and the Westside Business Association.
The new school-based model is rooted in results from a spring 2026 Islander Enrichment Academy pilot program at West Oso Middle School, which served approximately 20 students through after-school sessions in financial literacy, literacy coaching, and counseling. The pilot found that bringing programming directly into schools removed transportation barriers that had limited participation at the Garcia Center. That program is continuing at West Oso Middle School in fall 2026.
Currently, 26 students representing 15 family units are enrolled in the after-school program at the Garcia Center. Of those, 12 attend schools that will have Islander Enrichment Academy programming beginning in January. Six students are either home-schooled or attend charter or private schools, and the remaining 8 are spread across 6 different schools.
"Every school and every group of students is different, and our approach needs to reflect that," Dr. Joshua Watson, Dean of the TAMU-CC College of Education and Human Development, said. "We will have a menu of potential topics for the afterschool program, and the local school leadership will be able to identify which topics best suit their students' needs."
Fall 2026 initiatives will focus on outreach and needs assessment with area partners, including Corpus Christi ISD, ahead of the full school-based rollout in January.
Watson said the university views the transition as an expansion of its commitment to the community, not a retreat from it.
"The Island University remains committed to serving all students and families, including those on the Westside," Watson said. "We view this shift as an expansion of that commitment. Bringing programming directly into schools removes barriers and broadens our reach across the region."
Sara Sells Morgan, John O. and Louise G. Chapman Director of the Art Museum of South Texas, said the museum will continue its own arts education work throughout the region.
"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," Morgan said. "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."
The Westside Business Association also weighed in on the transition.
"The Westside Business Association supports this next chapter for the Garcia Center and looks forward to continuing our partnership with the university," the WBA Board of Directors said. "We believe that when our schools, university, businesses, and community organizations work together, our children and our community are the ultimate beneficiaries."
The City of Corpus Christi, which owns the Garcia Center building, has not announced any decisions about the facility's future.
"The City of Corpus Christi recognizes Texas A&M University's interest in expanding its services within the community," the city said. "At this time, we have no updates regarding the Garcia Arts and Education Center. The matter remains under consideration."
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