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Foundation for Jones Hall briefs committee on $60M campaign and phased upgrades
Summary
Robert Eubanks of the Foundation for Jones Hall described a $60 million capital campaign (about $52 million raised) to modernize Jones Hall: ADA upgrades, new seating, acoustic improvements, expanded lobby/event space and backstage systems; presenters said work has proceeded in phases to avoid long closures.
Robert Eubanks, executive director of the Foundation for Jones Hall, and Meg Booth of Performing Arts Houston briefed the committee on phased renovations and programming tied to Jones Hall.
Eubanks said the foundation is conducting a $60,000,000 capital campaign with about $52,000,000 already raised to modernize the facility. He listed project goals including improved acoustics, expanded and ADA-upgraded restrooms and lobby circulation, new seats and sight lines, updated lighting/audio/video systems, automation of fly systems and backstage improvements to loading dock and dressing rooms. Eubanks explained the work has been done in phases (enabling work in 2022, major systems in 2023 and additional stage-level work scheduled over coming summers) to avoid long shutdowns for resident companies.
Photographs shown to committee members illustrated the new lobby configuration, automated fly system and the 4-stage reflector installed to improve acoustics. Eubanks credited a partnership with Houston 1st Corporation and noted additional patron-facing projects were completed in 2024 with remaining work through 2026 to finish technical and backstage scopes.
Meg Booth described Performing Arts Houston’s commissioning work (25 new works by Houston artists over four years) and said the organization will present a commissioning series in March 2025 to highlight Houston artists.
