The Woodlands, Mitchell Pavilion Considers Performing Arts Venue

THE WOODLANDS, TX — The Woodlands Township Board of Directors and the Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, known as the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, approved a memorandum of understanding on May 22 exploring the creation of a new performing arts center in The Woodlands.

Officials announced last week that both parties are considering an agreement that would create a performing arts venue near the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and both parties had approved a Memorandum of Understanding.

"This is a major step in furthering the development of performing arts in The Woodlands," said Township Chairman Gordy Bunch. "It feels right that on the day after acknowledging our founder George Mitchell’s 100thbirthday this week, we are moving forward with one of his wishes to have a performing arts theater in The Woodlands."

The move comes just a day after The Woodlands honored George Mitchell on what wold have been his 100th birthday. Mitchell, who passed away in 2013, founded The Woodlands in 1974.

The Woodlands Township’s Economic Development Committee, chaired by Dr. Ann Snyder and with members Bruce Rieser and Carol Stromatt, have been working with Township consultants since late 2016 regarding the needs of additional cultural facilities in The Woodlands.

"The Woodlands is known for its arts scene, especially as it relates to the performing and visual arts," said Dr. Ann Snyder

The Woodlands Township has been studying the prospect of a performing and cultural arts center, since 2016 when they contracted with global design firm Gensler, in collaboration with Webb Management, an expert in cultural arts feasibility studies, to conduct a Cultural Arts Feasibility Study.

In 2017, the consultants conducted a survey and interviewed dozens of community leaders to probe the viability of a performing and cultural arts venue.

This survey was heavily promoted through Township communication channels and was online for 30 days with 1,270 respondents.

The consultants’ recommendation was for a set of facilities that would respond to local and regional demand, that does not currently exist in the region and that will serve the cultural development of The Woodlands.

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