University Museums
Florida Tech is proud to support the arts through two museums. These museums cover everything from painting and sculptures to the world of textiles. As an integral member of the Central Florida community, we are glad to offer these unique experiences to everyone.
Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts
The Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts is the first and only center of its type in the state of Florida. Dedicated to furthering the understanding of cultural and creative achievements in the textile and fiber arts, the center preserves, maintains, displays and interprets an international collection of textiles through public exhibitions and educational programs.
Ruth E. Funk, enriched the university through her vision and philanthropy. In addition to financial support that has helped make this space possible, she gave Florida Tech hundreds of books and a lifelong collection of textiles and wearable art.
MISSION
The Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts promotes the cultural understanding and appreciation for textiles, fiber arts and associated objects within the university and surrounding communities.
THE COLLECTION
Highlights from the collection at the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts include:
- Traditional hand-woven textiles, costume and costume accessories from around the globe
- Western costume that illustrates specific period style and silhouette
- Fashion and textile design from couture designer labels
- Artistic and innovative pieces in the areas of costume, textiles and fiber arts
Foosaner Art Museum
The Foosaner Art Museum complex includes three separate buildings: a 15,000-square-foot gallery space; the Renee Foosaner Education Center with studio space and classrooms for drawing, painting, pottery and printmaking; and the Harris Community Auditorium, used for lectures, demonstrations, meetings and performances.
COLLECTION AND EXHIBITIONS
Throughout the year, visitors can experience changing exhibitions of nationally and internationally recognized art. The museum’s permanent collection includes nearly 5,000 objects in these categories: Modernist and Contemporary works on paper, paintings, sculpture, decorative arts and industrial design.
EDUCATION
The Renee Foosaner Education Center hosts adult and children’s art classes year-round, artists’ workshops and summer art camps for children.
In addition to studio courses, the museum offers a variety of exhibition-related programs such as lectures, curator-led gallery talks and special events.
