Entertainment was always the IN thing, even before we really got hi-tech and started keeping separate space for television as well as the Radio sets in our homes. We entertained ourselves in different ways. Each person had his own way of entertainment.

The very early ages found men and women dancing and singing to entertain, the dances started after dinner at sunset and went on till night, this was also one way to find prospective life partners.

A little bit of sophistication and making of societies brought all this to an end. More than this suppression of women made entertainment a different thing for men and different for women.

There were quite some numbers of avenues to entertain themselves, from visiting the professional entertainers to going hunting for a game of deer. The opportunities were many. But among all this confusion of entertainment, there was one type which never failed, and does not have any likelihood of being ignored forever.

These were the sounds smooth, enthralling, engaging as well as a feat from the person who sang or played music. Sounds, which were good clear entertainment, this entertainment had the ability to put to end all the days woes and worries and the hard work. Sounds that made it possible for quite some number to hear, the entertainment that never stopped.

Today, we have learned to include this music into another entertainment which can be made equally effective the moving pictures or movies as now these are called. Movies too had a similar effect. These provided good clean entertainment to all. The advent of movies created an upheaval in entertainment industry.

Movies and music made icons for different generations, rule fashions, make their own groups, have their own genres. From musical classics like ‘The Sound of Music’ to pure action like Die Hard series all have found their own fan base.

Regional movies and music are not far behind. Cinema from world over is being showcased at different film festival only to make it possible for people to experiment and check out their tastes in different genre of movies.

People do not have qualms any more for watching the movie by reading subtitles. Inclusion of music in movies is an age old tradition. Ever since moving pictures started music has been an integral part, in countries like India, it is the movie music that plays an important role whether the movie would be a hit or a flop.

This is truly a museum for the casual and creative Austinite. With two locations and loads of interesting exhibits and programs, AMOA is a great cultural destination for students, adults, and even parents and caregivers of young children.

The downtown location is a sleek and modern space, while the Laguna Gloria campus, AMOA’s original home, is housed within a 1916 Italiante villa. The primary home of the AMOA Art School, Laguna Gloria is located on property once owned by Stephen F. Austin, and was the residence of the legendary Clara Driscoll. Overlooking Lake Austin, and with 12 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens, Laguna Gloria is worth a visit purely on historical merit. Both locations have permanent and changing exhibits, and both have space available for private functions.

One of the hallmarks of both AMOA locations is the informal structure and feel. No stuffy, hallowed grounds here – instead you find welcoming, easy to navigate floor plans full of surprising and interesting exhibits. You can tour at your own speed, reading the descriptions that are mounted next to each exhibit, or you can book a gallery tour, which are available with different age groups in mind. The compact size of the exhibit space adds to the experience – the visitor can spend time with each exhibit, getting more from the experience than one where you rush through to make sure you see it all. The exhibits are right out there – something to keep in mind when you bring kids – there are no barriers between fast little critters and the actual exhibit.

Still, the AMOA makes a point to be accessible and interesting to children as well. In addition to offering a number of free events for families, the museum has a permanent FamilyLab. The FamilyLab is a fantastic experience for kids of all ages. It is a hands-on, interactive place to make art with creative and colorful items supplied by the museum. They also have children’s books on hand, along with bean bag chairs, in case your little one just needs a cuddle. The mirror tunnel is endlessly fascinating, and all activities in the FamilyLab are offered at no additional cost to museum admission. The second Saturday of every month AMOA offers a reduced admission for families, with art instructors leading families in creating art projects to take home.

AMOA offers art classes for children and adults, with a limited number of scholarships available. Class themes include ArtPlay, ArtABCs, Life Drawing, Watercolor, Children’s Book Illustration, and many, many more. They have for the Art School. They offer periodical education programs for teachers, docents, adults, children, and groups. They offer a myriad of interesting events, sometimes pairing visual arts with music, both for their valued members and for the public. Events include their annual fundraisers, the Art Ball in June, and their fantastically popular international food and wine tasting event, La Dolce Vita. Their museum store offers cups, shirts and other items with their distinctive logo, as well as art-inspired gifts.