Lawndale Art Center is a non-profit alternative space for the exhibition of contemporary works in all media, unique in its focus on Houston area artists. Founded in 1979, Lawndale has owned its present location on Main Street in Houston's Museum District since 1993.

With four galleries in its locally significant Art Deco building, Lawndale includes close to 500 artists annually in changing exhibitions.

Over twenty exhibitions, informal talks and special events are offered yearly including annual events such as Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead, Design Fair, and The Big Show.

Lawndale is governed by a Board of Directors representing the Houston community. One-third are artists or arts professionals. Exhibitions, special events and benefits are carried out with the invaluable assistance of volunteers, interns, work-study personnel and in-kind contributors.

Programs at Lawndale are supported in part by The National Endowment for the Arts, The Houston Arts Alliance through the Houston Museum District Association and City Initiatives Program, The Texas Commission on the Arts, Houston Endowment, The Brown Foundation, Inc., Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The Cavnar Foundation, The Cullen Foundation, The Wortham Foundation, Inc., John M. O’Quinn, Cecily Horton, Ann W. Harithas, Jonathan and Barbara Day, Diana Hudson and Lee Kaplan, Anita and David Garten, Mary and Roy Cullen, Karen J. and David A. Sobotka, Daniel K. Dubrowski, Jenny and Mark Johnson, Samantha Schnee, H-E-B, Continental Airlines, Target, Art Colony Association, other contributors, memberships, benefit events and many volunteers.