Garden Oaks Theater URGENT Call to Action

WE CAN SAVE GARDEN OAKS AND CREATE A COMMUNITY ARTS AND FILM CENTER, BUT THE WINDOW IS CLOSING!

Will you be a founder of the Arts & Film Center at the historic Garden Oaks Theater?

We want to invite our city's philanthropists, foundations and business owners to learn more about this exciting opportunity to be a Founder and Angel Donor of the new Arts & Film Center at the historic Garden Oaks Theater.

Time is short, we must close on the property by July 30th to secure it, prevent demolition, and start work on renovation & restoration.

As a Founding Donor you will help put Houston on the map as a leader in Art and Film in the state and beyond by creating a cultural hub where film, arts education, live performances and community programming converge.

If you are interested in learning more or touring the property, please contact us. Significant donors will have access to naming opportunities, as outlined below.

$14MM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO PURCHASE THE 2.3 ACRE PROPERTY AND CREATE A ONE-OF-A-KIND ARTS & FILM CENTER

STAGE I: $7.1MM - Property purchase price. MAJOR PLEDGES NEEDED TO CLOSE. The owner will demolish if closing isn’t reached.

STAGE II: $6.9MM - Restoration/Renovation & all costs to get to opening in Spring 2028.

The theater and connected buildings are on a 2.3 acre lot, with tons of space we intend to use for film exhibition, live performance, film festivals, and an all-ages arts & filmmaking education center, providing access to resources for technical and artistic development.

As well as co-working space for local arts orgs & additional exhibition space. Retail including a sidewalk bistro, bar, boutique shops, and more. The Garden Oaks neighborhood is one of the fastest growing in Houston, and this could be a vibrant community space and a first of its kind community arts & film center for the whole city.

PLEDGES ARE ONLY CALLED UPON IF WE SUCCESSFULLY CLOSE ON THE PROPERTY AND CAN BE PAID IN MULTIPLE PAYMENTS OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR OR MORE.

Donate or Pledge Today

The Garden Oaks Theater has been a beloved landmark for generations—but without immediate support, its story will end here.

Arthouse Houston is ready to restore and revive this historic Art Deco treasure as a vibrant community arts and film center. Your gift today is tax deductible and will go directly toward the purchase and preservation of the Garden Oaks Theater. Allowing us to protect the building’s irreplaceable character and reopen its doors to future generations.

Please donate or pledge now to help save the Garden Oaks Theater and keep its lights shining for decades to come.

Email us at info@arthousehtx.org.

MAKE A PLEDGE

THE TIMELINE

FEB 27, 2026 - ARTHOUSE HOUSTON SIGNS CONTRACT TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY; PAID INITIAL DEPOSIT ($130k)
MARCH 22, 2026 - FIRST EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT EXTENSION PAID ($25k)
APRIL 21, 2026 - SECOND EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT EXTENSION PAID ($25k)
MAY 25, 2026 - THIRD EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT EXTENSION REQUIRED ($25k)
JUNE 25, 2026 - FOURTH EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT EXTENSION REQUIRED ($25k)
JULY 30, 2026 - MANDATORY CLOSING DATE ($7.1M); MISSED CLOSING RESULTS IN DEMOLITION
AUG-DEC 2026 - ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING PLANS DEVELOPED FOR RESTORATION
JAN 2027 - MARCH 2028 - RESTORATION OF THE THEATER; DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMMING/OPERATING PLANS
APRIL 2028 - FULL REOPENING OF THE GARDEN OAKS THEATER

Arthouse Houston is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to joyously enriching and preserving Houston’s artistic film community and arthouse spaces. This mission is furthered by improving accessibility to arts and cinema through programming, public outreach, partnerships, and education to benefit our vibrant, diverse community.

Arthouse Houston is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN: 88-2921447.

990s and governing documents available on request.

Garden Oaks Theater URGENT Call to Action

WE CAN SAVE GARDEN OAKS AND CREATE A COMMUNITY ARTS AND FILM CENTER, BUT THE WINDOW IS CLOSING!

Donate or Pledge Today

THE TIMELINE

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