Downtown arts venue says it was asked to leave space, seeks advocacy and capital

An unidentified representative of The Hideout Coffee Shop and Theater, which operates at 617 Congress, told the Downtown Commission the venue has been asked to leave its current space and asked commissioners for advocacy and capital assistance.

"We have been ... we've been kicked out of our space, we've been asked to leave," the representative said, describing an urgent need to find a new site and funding to build out space for a combined coffee shop, classes and a community-run theater. The speaker said The Hideout offers regular community improv shows and classes for adults and children, including programs for children on the autism spectrum.

Commissioners and staff suggested outreach paths: the Downtown Austin Alliance, council member office staff responsible for downtown constituents, and other council contacts. Rebecca Bernhardt, a new commissioner, recommended contacting the downtown council member's staff for constituent navigation. The Hideout representative said they have communicated with some council members previously but not the downtown council member's office directly.

The representative offered a web contact (hideouttheater.com) and said The Hideout will return to present a fuller briefing at the commission's January meeting; commissioners responded that they will try to connect the venue with potential advocates and resources before then.

No formal action or funding request was adopted during the meeting; the commission added a return presentation from The Hideout to next month's agenda.