Round Rock to host Picasso museum and STEAM challenge
A 4,800-square-foot space will open in October, featuring 22 original works and a program involving 29,000 students.
By Alessia Romano ·
Residents of Round Rock can view original paintings by Pablo Picasso starting Nov. 6 at the City Arts Center. The exhibition, titled Dialogues with Picasso, displays 22 original works alongside pieces from the artist's contemporaries and his personal collection. These items form part of a larger collection of approximately 7,000 works housed in Málaga, Spain.
The Texas European Foundation, led by Francisco Guitard and Eduardo Galindo, organized the event. Guitard stated that Round Rock will serve as a secondary headquarters for the Museo Casa Natal Picasso collection. He noted that the local venue is the only museum dedicated to Picasso's birthplace outside of Málaga. The foundation estimates the first season will attract 40,000 visitors to downtown Round Rock.
Jordan Robinson, president of the Round Rock Chamber, described the exhibition as a major development for the community. She said the cultural amenity will help the city stand out to businesses considering relocation. Robinson added that such intangible assets are key factors for business leaders deciding where to expand. The Chamber also views the museum as a draw for families moving to the area.
A companion educational program, the Picasso STEAM Challenge, is already underway. Over the summer, the foundation trained 101 art teachers from Round Rock ISD to lead the initiative. Approximately 29,000 students in fourth grade, middle school, and high school are participating. The students build Formula 4 race cars powered by CO2 cartridges and compete against one another.
Zachary Jackson, an art teacher at Round Rock High School, said the program elevates creativity in education. He noted that the challenge moves art beyond mere decoration. The top 20% of student teams will advance to a citywide competition at Dell Diamond next fall. Winning teams have the potential to travel to Europe for an international competition. Galindo said the foundation plans to expand the program statewide and nationally, aiming to host a K-12 championship in Round Rock.
The foundation projects the initiatives will generate an economic impact of $12.8 million. This figure includes tourism benefits and regional commerce growth. The total number of Picasso works displayed across the first two seasons will reach 70. The foundation also anticipates 100,000 travelers attending STEAM Challenge events.
The next exhibition season, titled The Reason of Dreams, will focus on Surrealism. This movement combines everyday objects in irrational ways, inspired by the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud. A third season will follow, showcasing contemporary and international responses to Picasso's work. Each season will last about six months and include work from local artists.
In October of next year, the foundation plans to open a long-term museum in a back section of the City Arts Center. The 4,800-square-foot space will feature a labyrinth of 11 rooms. Each room centers on a specific color and idea. Guitard said the space is intended to create new connections downtown beyond simple art display.
The foundation is currently fundraising for a permanent venue called The White Stone building. Guitard estimated the total construction cost at $55 million. The organization has not yet identified a potential site for the structure. The current partnership between the city and the foundation was established earlier this year to strengthen business, cultural, and educational opportunities.
