Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute

About Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institue (LHPAI)

Built in 1915, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (LHPAI) is a historic landmark in the historic Central Area of Seattle. Designed by B. Marcus Priteca, and formerly the Jewish Synagogue of Chevra Biku Cholim, the building became a community center and part of the City of Seattle's facilities in 1972. It underwent extensive renovations in 2011 to preserve its architectural character and update the facilities. It is now a community facility that may be rented for events and community programs. LHPAI partners with the new non-profit LANGSTON to continue being a center for African American arts and culture in Seattle. It is also home to the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas and The Historic Central Area Arts and Cultural District.

LANGSTON is the new non-profit arts organization created to continue the programmatic mission of the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. LANGSTON, the culmination of a community-led three-year review and engagement process with the vision of transforming the programming arm of Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute into an independent and thriving arts organization, is envisioned as a steward for an African American arts and cultural hub in Seattle. LANGSTON is based out of the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute building and is the primary contact for programming partnerships.

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History

Partners

Visit LHPAI

Hours

Office Hours

LHPAI is open to the public during scheduled events and by appointment only for event booking and building tours.

COVID Safety

In accordance with King County Public Health guidelines, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (LHPAI) will no longer require visitors to show proof of vaccination or wear face masks when visiting. We ask that you stay home if you feel sick and remain mindful of our community’s varying levels of comfort as we go through this transition.

Contact Us

(206) 684-4758
langston.institute@seattle.gov

Getting Here

Directions

104 17th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98144

LHPAI is conveniently located on the Southeast Corner of East Yesler Way and 17th Avenue South.
The entrance of the building is located on the east side of 17th Avenue South.

Driving (From I-5):

Northbound:
Take the Dearborn Street exit to Rainier Avenue South.
Go north on Rainier Avenue, which turns into Boren Avenue.
Turn right on Yesler Way.
Turn right on 17th Avenue South.
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute will be on your left.

Southbound:
Take James Street exit.
Continue south through James Street.
Use the right lane to proceed to Yesler Way.
Turn left on Yesler Way.
Turn right on 17th Avenue South.
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute will be on your left.

By Bus

LHPAI can be accessed at the East Yesler Way and 17th Avenue South bus stop for bus route #27.

Parking

LHPAI offers a variety of options for parking free of charge. Street parking is available along with parking lots on the northeast corner of East Yesler Way and 17th Avenue South. There is additional parking behind the building in the southeast parking lot.

Accessibility

LHPAI is dedicated to providing access to patrons with disabilities to make your visit enjoyable. We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and hope to enhance your visit with us.

If you require special services and auxiliary aids when visiting LHPAI, please contact us at (206) 684-4758 10 business days in advance to allow for your personal assistance to be arranged.

If we can improve our service to our patrons with disabilities we encourage you to let us know.

LHPAI Opportunities

LHPAI Facilities Grant

Applications for the LHPAI Grant are currently on pause.

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Plan an Event

Whether you are planning a reception, wedding, performance, birthday celebration, or organization meeting, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute's unique facilities and attentive staff will ensure the best possible event for you and your guests.

Theater

LHPAI Theatre

The 285 black-plum velvet seat theater boasts beautiful acoustical sound. It is the perfect setting for performances including plays and films, conferences, and weddings. Capacity: 285 seats.

Grand Rehearsal Hall

LHPAI Grand Rehearsal Hall

A unique venue boasting sprung, dance studio floors, ideal for professional dance rehearsals, performances, cocktail parties, wedding ceremonies or luncheons. Capacity: standing 300; seated 150.

West RoomLHPAI Kitchen

The West Room is a comfortable venue and is perfect for small conferences, meetings, or workshops. Capacity: 45 Seated.

Services

  • Lobby
  • Green Room
  • Dressing Rooms
  • Free Parking
  • Audio/Video support
  • ADA Accessibility
  • Kitchen access

Any individual, group, organization, or corporation may apply to use our facilities.

A contract and an estimate of total expenses may be provided at the client consultation. To proceed with the promotion of your event, a deposit based on the total rental amount is required with the formal signed contract.

Rental Rates

Peak Hours - Grand Hall

  • Monday - Thursday: 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.
  • Friday - Sunday: All day

$175/hour with a two-hour minimum. Blocks are $160/hour for a five-hour minimum.

Grand Hall with Kitchen

$205/hour with a 4-hour minimum. Blocks are $190/hour for a five-hour minimum.

Off-Peak Hours - Grand Hall

  • Monday - Thursday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

$140/hour with a two-hour minimum. Blocks are $120/hour for a five-hour minimum.

Grand Hall with Kitchen

$160/hour with a four-hour minimum. Blocks are $140/hour for a five-hour minimum.

Kitchen

Rented only with event rooms.

$75/hour with a 2-hour minimum.

West Room

No minimum during off-peak hours. No reduction for first hour.

$60/hour.

Two-Room Lobby

Only available when an event needs several break-out spaces and needs to maximize available space. Our Event Scheduler must confirm availability with building occupants before booking.

$60/hour or $200/hour with a three-hour minimum.

Theater Performances

$1,400/hour with an eight-hour minimum. Blocks are $175/hour for an eight-hour minimum.

Theater, Film, Meetings

Non-performance events, general lighting.

$150/hour with a three-hour minimum.

Theater Rehearsal for Shows Booked With Us

No minimum, but we reserve the right to negotiate rehearsal times or locations to accommodate other events. Scheduling will be booked at times or in alternate rooms to preserve available space for the community. Tech rehearsals are an exception.

$35/hour.

Theater Load-In/-Out

A one-time fee.

$100/hour for four-hour blocks.

Staffing Fees

  • Building Monitors - Two or more Building Monitors are required for most events including events serving alcohol, with attendance over 20 people, with multiple rental rooms or spaces, theater rentals, or as determined by the Event Coordinator.
  • Technician
  • Security - We reserve the right to require security. Security is required for most events serving alcohol, for large events, or for other events as deemed by the Event Coordinator. You must provide your own licensed security. The choice is up to you, but we may offer suggestions.

OVERTIME - All staff fees are subject to overtime rates: 1.5 - 2 times the hourly rate.

Additional Fees

  • Administrative fee - $40
  • Damage deposit (refundable) - $250
  • Alcohol deposit (refundable) - $500
  • Alcohol fee - $75
  • Maintenance fee - $50 - 200. We reserve the right to change this non-refundable maintenance fee based upon event specifics.
  • Piano - $60
  • Portable stage - $50
  • Monitors and sound for Grand Hall or West Room - TBD
  • Projector and screen for Grand Hall or West Room - TBD
  • Pipe and drape - $50
  • Streaming, recording/archiving - TBD. We are researching policy and prohibitions for copywritten works and ownership rights.
  • Hybrid Zoom - TBD

Maintenance Fees

In-house guide:

  • 200 - 300+ people: $200/hour
  • 50 - 199 people: $150/hour
  • 49 and fewer: $100/hour

Cancellation Policy

If at any time, 60 days or more prior to the scheduled event, you decide to cancel your rental, the Office of Arts & Culture shall retain the booking fee plus a $60 cancellation fee.  

If you cancel your rental less than 60 days but at least 30 days before the scheduled event, the booking fee will be retained along with 50% of all rental fees.  

If you cancel your rental 29 days or less before the scheduled event, 100% of the rental fees will be retained. The damage deposit will be fully refunded.

To officially cancel a reservation, the primary contact (or authorized representative) on the rental application is required to submit a letter or e-mail notice of the cancellation. Cancellation is only confirmed upon receiving this notice.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance is required for events serving alcohol and events in the LHPAI theater. We reserve the right to require liability insurance for other events.

Arts & Culture

Gülgün Kayim, Director
Address: 303 S. Jackson Street, Top Floor, Seattle, WA , 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 94748, Seattle, WA , 98124-4748
Phone: (206) 684-7171
Fax: (206) 684-7172
arts.culture@seattle.gov

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The Office of Arts & Culture promotes the value of arts and culture in, and of, communities throughout Seattle. It strives to ensure that a wide range of high-quality artistic experiences are available to everyone, encourage artist-friendly arts and cultural policy.