The Austin - 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force meeting on June 23, 2025, featured discussions centered on the Umla sculpture garden and museum's role in the community and its potential benefits from the upcoming bond election. Bella, a museum manager and local artist, presented the Umla's mission to foster community engagement through art and nature.

Bella highlighted the museum's history, noting its establishment in 1991 and its location within Austin's central green network, which includes Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and Ladybird Lake. The Umla, a nonprofit organization operating on city-owned land, showcases a permanent collection of sculptures by Charles Umloff, a significant figure in Texas art history. His contributions to public art and education were emphasized, including the donation of his home and studio to the city for arts education purposes.

The museum welcomes over 35,000 visitors annually and offers a variety of programs aimed at making art accessible to all ages. Bella detailed the Umla's rotating exhibitions, which feature both emerging and established artists, and its public programs that include family days, educational workshops, and outreach initiatives in Title I schools.

The discussion underscored the importance of the 2026 bond in enhancing the Umla's impact on the community. Bella expressed gratitude for her journey with the Umla, from intern to manager, and emphasized the museum's commitment to nurturing connections among visitors and fostering a supportive environment for youth and families.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the bond's potential to strengthen cultural assets like the Umla, ensuring continued community engagement and support for the arts in Austin.