Silver anniversary memories
Rise of the Wortham Theater Center: How it all began
Jun 2, 2012 | 4:30 pm
Photo by Jia Li
In the 1980s, everyone agreed that Houston needs a new performing arts center. Even a recession couldn't stop the Wortham Center from rising in downtown Houston.
But fund-raising had stalled at $47,918,000 in advance of Houston’s declining oil economy in the mid-1980s. Robert Cizik, then CEO of Cooper Industries, became chairman of the LTF, with R. W. “Rusty” Wortham as co-chair, energizing the campaign with $8.5 million in additional Wortham, Brown and Cullen foundation challenge grants, ultimately accruing $66 million. --------- The exterior of the building with its grand archway entrance takes shape.