Asian American Resource Center - Rentals and Reservations
From cultural performances and galas in the ballroom to networking mixers in the foyer and meetings and workshops in the classrooms, the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) is the perfect location to showcase your next event and create a memorable guest experience. Reservations cannot be made more than one year in advance. Rental requests occurring in Fiscal Year 2028 (October 1, 2027 to September 30, 2028) will be accepted no earlier than April 1, 2027.
Please contact AARC Rentals at AARCrentals@AustinTexas.gov or call 512-974-1698 for more information and to schedule a tour. The AARC looks forward to hosting your next event and the staff is committed to creating a wonderful experience for you and your guests.
Rental Spaces
- Ballroom
- Commercial kitchen (only available with Ballroom rental)
- Foyer (only available with Ballroom rental)
- Classrooms
- Conference Room
- Great Lawn
AARC Rental Application (Fillable PDF)
Community Rooms
The AARC has two community rooms which are offered free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis during regular business hours. These rooms are public spaces and cannot be used for commercial activities or programs that charge a fee. Community rooms can be reserved up to 90 days in advance.
To provide an opportunity for all groups and programs to use the community rooms, a group or program is limited to a maximum of two reservations of four hours each or one daily reservation up to 8 hours per month.
AARC's free community rooms can be booked during the following times:
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10am to 6pm
- Tuesday, Thursday: 10am to 9pm*
- Saturday: 10am to 4pm
*Community room reservations that extend beyond 6pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings must be reserved at least 7 days in advance. Community Room 8 is not available Monday through Thursday before 2pm due to Senior Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of events can I host at the center?
The AARC is available for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor rentals including community events, non-profit events, business events, meetings, lectures, classes, banquets, and more.
The AARC does not rent space for life, family or personal events such as weddings, funerals, birthdays, quinceañeras, family reunions and social gatherings to allow more availability for community organized events.
Rental space becomes available after the annual scheduling of City sponsored events and partnerships.
- When can events be held at the AARC?
Events can be scheduled between the hours of 7am to 11pm Monday through Sunday. Cleanup may not extend past 12am (midnight).
- What are the rental fees and what is included?
All fees are assessed in accordance with the current City of Austin Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule. Fees will be calculated based on the hourly rental fee and applicable staff and utility fees. Utility fees will be charged during hours rented outside of the AARC's regular business hours. In addition to the rental fees, a refundable deposit is required for all reservations.
- How do I reserve a date?
Facility reservations are first-come, first-served and may be made up to a year in advance.
Potential renters should complete the Facility Rental Application to begin the process. Once your event has been approved, the reservation agreement must be signed and any applicable reservation deposits paid.
- Can I tour the facility?
Tours of the AARC are available by appointment only. Please contact our Event Coordinator at AARCrentals@AustinTexas.gov or call 512-974-1698 to set up an appointment.
In the meantime, take our Virtual Reality tour.
Ballroom and Foyer
The AARC ballroom features an open floor plan with expansive windows overlooking the Great Lawn. This versatile space can accommodate a wide variety of events. The ballroom can seat 300 to 350 people.
View the Ballroom and Foyer layout.
Amenities
- 12’ x 24’ modular stage
- Professional stage lighting
- Complimentary House AV system and additional equipment for rent
- Variety of round and rectangular tables
- Auditorium chairs
- Foyer - Foyer rental is only available with Ballroom rental. It is available for rent outside of regular business hours; restrictions apply to rentals during business hours.
Commercial Kitchen
The commercial kitchen is only available with a ballroom rental to accommodate event catering. A Certificate of Insurance and a temporary food event permit from Austin Public Health are required to rent the kitchen. View the Commercial Kitchen rental guidelines.
Amenities
- Gas stove with six burners and charbroiler
- Two warming ovens and microwave
- 40 cup rice cooker
- Double refrigerator and freezer
- Large capacity ice maker
- Three compartment sink
- Hobart dishwasher
- Scrap collector
- Coffee and tea urns
- Ice chests and water coolers
- Pots, pans, baking trays, and utensils
Classrooms
The AARC has four 300 square feet classrooms available for rent; each classroom can seat approximately 16 to 20 people.
Amenities
- Tables and chairs
- Ceiling mounted projector
- Screen and dry-erase board
Conference Room
The conference room overlooks the zen garden and is equipped with state of the art equipment for meetings, trainings or workshops. The conference room seats 22 people.
Amenities
- Conference telephone
- Conference chairs and tables
- Computer access
- Wireless internet
Great Lawn
The great lawn is a beautiful outdoor area that can complement a ballroom rental or accommodate outdoor activities and festivals. CelebrASIA Austin, World Tai Chi Day, and Holi are some of the events that take place in this green space.
The great lawn does not have any outdoor lighting or utilities beyond the balcony by the ballroom. All AARC equipment is for indoor use only. Outdoor events may rent equipment from a rental company.
Community Rooms
The AARC has two free community rooms which are available during regular business hours for groups of three or more. Community rooms are for non-commercial, informational, educational, cultural, and civic needs. To use a community room, a group or organization must be not-for-profit, non-commercial, and demonstrate a community or civic purpose.
Amenities
- Community Room 8 is 640 square feet, can seat up to 40 people, and has tile flooring and a sink.
- Community Room 1 is 352 square feet, can seat up to 20 people, and has carpet flooring.
Helpful Documents and Links
AARC Rental Fees and Forms
- AARC Rental Application (Fillable PDF)
- AARC Facility Rental Guidelines (PDF)
- AARC FY 26 Rental Fees (PDF)
- Free Community Room Reservation Form (Fillable PDF)
- View all Rental Fees and Forms