The Art Theatre of Long Beach, the city’s oldest and last remaining independent cinema, will kick off its 101st year in operation with a red carpet fundraising gala celebrating the 2026 Academy Awards.
When the Art originally opened, it was as a single-screen silent movie cinema with an orchestra pit and pipe organ, according to its website. It was among the earliest movie theaters to open in Long Beach, alongside other historic cinemas, such as the Fox West Coast and the Egyptian Theater, both of which have long since been demolished.
“As a nonprofit arts organization, this annual fundraiser is one of our main sources of financial support, and helps keep our doors open,” Art Theatre board President Kirk Jordan said in a Wednesday, March 11, statement. “The Art Theatre is a unique historical landmark, and keeps the art of cinema alive in Long Beach.”
Each year, the theater hosts a red carpet gala to help the nonprofit fundraise money to support its operations, and this year is no different — though there will be one major change to the programming.
The Art Theatre will host a midnight showing of “Nosferatu” with a live orchestra on Halloween. (Photo courtesy of Art Theatre of Long Beach)
Workers install a new 4K projector at The Art Theatre of Long Beach. (Photo courtesy Art Theatre).
Workers install a new 4K projector at The Art Theatre of Long Beach. (Photo courtesy Art Theatre).
Lunafest attendees line up to enter The Art Theatre of Long Beach during a previous year. (Courtesy Junior League of Long Beach)
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The Art Theatre will host a midnight showing of “Nosferatu” with a live orchestra on Halloween. (Photo courtesy of Art Theatre of Long Beach)
For the first time, the Art Theatre will broadcast the Oscars ceremony during the gala on its newly installed 4K digital projector and screen.
The Art spent two years raising money to purchase the new 4K digital projector and screen, which cost about $100,000 in total. It replaced the theater’s previous projector, which had been in use since the early 2000s and lacked the ability to show first-run films in the highest quality currently available — 4K — instead showing movies in 1080p resolution.
“This will be the first year the live ABC broadcast will be presented on the 101-year-old Retro Row showpiece’s new 4K digital projector and screen,” the Art said in a recent announcement, “promising a dazzling, big screen experience for the occasion.”
This year’s gala will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 15.
Besides the Oscars broadcast, the event will also feature the red carpet, a photo booth, a silent auction, catering from Miller Butler, and drinks from Wine on 2nd and Radiant Beer. There will also be various prizes awarded to attendees throughout the evening, the Art said.
“Attendees can expect an event filled with fun, community, a 4K livestream of the 98th Annual Academy Awards, and a touch of Hollywood glamour done Long Beach style,” Jordan said, “with our own red carpet, photo booth, silent auction, trivia and best-dressed prizes, and even a wood-fired pizza popup on our parklet.”
Tickets to the event cost $50, though Art Theatre members will get a discounted $40 rate.
For tickets, visit arttheatrelongbeach.org.