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Arthouse Houston
On February 27, 2026, Arthouse Houston entered into a contract to purchase the historic Garden Oaks Theater. As the sister to the River Oaks Theatre, this Art Deco landmark is one of the last of its kind in Houston. Our vision to save Garden Oaks Theater from demolition and create a community arts & film center will only be possible with your help.
The stakes are high: we must raise the full $7.1 million to close on the purchase by August 31, 2026. Failure to reach this goal will result in the immediate demolition of the theater. To meet this challenge, we are seeking two types of donors to join our mission:
1. Pledged Donation
Pledges can be initiated at $500 to $7MM. With the support of these saviors now, we can secure the necessary bridge loan to finalize the purchase and save the Garden Oaks Theater from demolition.
All major pledges from $1.5K-$5MM will have options for naming rights - Including: Your name on a seat plaque in the main theater, your name on the donor wall in the grand lobby, star on walk of fame, naming rights to the main theater, micro-cinema, education center and more!
Pledges will only be called on to be fulfilled if we are able to successfully close on the purchase of the property.
2. Immediate Donations
Whether it's $10 or $10,000, every donation directly funds the $7.1M acquisition goal. These donors provide the "front-line" capital required right now towards purchasing the property. These contributions are dedicated to our preservation efforts and are non-refundable.
The donations may cover:
Contract Deposits: Non-refundable payments required to delay demolition and hold the purchase contract.
Due Diligence: Costs for the National Historic Designation application.
Asset Protection: Immediate repairs, including roof patching and security systems to protect the theater from theft and weather damage.
To donate via Zelle, bank transfer, or check, or to discuss In-Kind gifts, please contact us at info@arthousehtx.org. Thank you for acting now to save our history.