In early January of this year, a fire destroyed the Black-owned business House of Art, an institution in Downtown Raleigh dedicated to creativity and community building. According to the venue's website, “House of Art isn't just a place, it's a home— A home for artists, musicians and dreamers. It’s a creative haven where friendships are forged, unforgettable memories are made, and the magic of St. Nicks, Raleigh’s favorite Christmas pop-up, comes to life each year.” The venue, located on Hargett Street, has been a staple in Raleigh’s art and music scene for years, bringing together diverse groups and providing a space for local talent to thrive.
Known for its vibrant and creative interior, House of Art has hosted a variety of community events featuring local artists, music performances, and creative drinks that attracted people from all walks of life, the owner stated in an interview with ABC11. The venue’s unique ability to merge art, culture, and entertainment quickly made it a central point for the community, offering a sense of belonging to many.
At approximately 3 a.m. on the morning of the fire, firefighters arrived at the scene and worked to contain the blaze. Their actions prevented the fire from spreading further, but the damage to the property was still significant, as noted by WUNC. In a following statement from WUNC, the structure remains in tact, although the venue itself will need extensive rebuilding.
House of Art took to social media to share security footage of the fire, which showed how the flames spread throughout the venue. In the footage, a person was seen at the beginning of the fire, sparking speculation about its origins. On Jan. 14, 2025, an arrest was made in connection with the fire, according to ABC11.
Since the event, House of Art has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support its dedicated staff who were directly impacted by the fire and to cover the substantial costs of rebuilding. Many local businesses in the Downtown Raleigh area have rallied around House of Art, offering support and organizing benefit events to raise funds for the venue’s recovery. The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop, known for its connection to local musicians, hosted one such benefit event, where proceeds went directly toward helping House of Art rebuild and support its employees, as noted by WRAL. The event featured performances by artists who had been impacted by House of Art’s nurturing environment.
Urban Run Club, a Black-run community group based in Downtown Raleigh, also showed support by posting donation links and sharing ways to get involved. Urban Run Club has a long history with House of Art, hosting post-run gatherings and even an annual Friendsgiving event at the venue, as seen by their Instagram.
Despite losing its physical space, House of Art’s presence in the community remains strong. The venue has continued to host collaboration events inspired by the creative events that were once held on its walls. The brand remains active on Instagram, maintaining its mission to support local artists, businesses, and the creative spirit of the city.
According to their website, House of Art hosted An Unforgettable Evening of Indulgence on March 2, 2025, at Haven Farm. This event featured a three-course meal, handcrafted cocktails, live performances and a silent auction, with all proceeds going toward the venue’s rebuilding efforts, as per their website. The event reflects the House of Art’s resilience and dedication to the creative community, ensuring its legacy will continue to flourish despite the challenges it faces.
The venue is also selling “Can’t Stop The Culture” merchandise on its website and has a GoFundMe in support of rebuilding the building. Through social media, the venue continues supporting local artists and partnering with other businesses to host events supporting the art community and the rebuilding of House of Art. Their GoFundMe notes that they have reached 30% of their $100 000 target, with 675 donations as of Mar. 24, 2025.
As House of Art continues to rebuild, the support from local businesses, artists, and community members shows just how integral the venue is to the fabric of Raleigh’s cultural scene. It’s clear that House of Art's impact extends far beyond its physical location, with its influence on the community growing stronger every day.
Enfiniti’ Jones, Staff Writer