La Pena Competitors

An award-winning employer, the City of Austin has a Council-Manager form of government and employs 13.8K employees. The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, is responsible to the Council for the management of City employees, and for the administration of all City affairs. To achieve the vision of making Austin the most livable city in the country, Austin’s city government’s mission is to be the best-managed city in the country. The City continues to advance its best-managed mission through transparent business practices, excellence in public service, innovative leadership, and the provision of reliable, safe, efficient, and above-national-standards services. The Austin metro area population exceeds 2 million. Geographically, Austin consists of approximately 326 square miles. Austin is nationally recognized as a great place to live, in part due to its diverse population and its promotion of a year-round outdoor, active lifestyle. Austin’s quality of life has become its biggest economic development engine, and the City’s diverse demographic structure supports and enriches it. Austin is fortunate to offer a broad range of educational opportunities, including six universities, a robust community college system, and numerous other institutions of higher education. At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

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.

For Austinites of every background, the Long Center is the community gathering place that offers the most diverse programming and stunning views of the city, so that together, everyone can experience remarkable live arts and entertainment.