After a short closure, the only movie theater in Steamboat Springs will open a new chapter Wednesday with the unveiling of a new lobby, updated interior and a new mission to provide affordable space to serve the nonprofit arts community.

Starting Thursday, there will also be new movie releases.

“We have fresh new carpet, a new coat of paint on the lower panels, and we’ve got some new lighting over the concessions,” said Dagny McKinley, executive director of Undiscovered Earth, the organization that took over ownership and operation of the theater on Feb. 1.

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McKinley said board members and volunteers have been hard at work renovating the space for the past 10 days. Management is ready to open the doors to the public and looks forward to bringing movies back to Steamboat Springs, according to McKinley.

“We took out the old ticket booth and opened the space up,” McKinley said. “We’ve got some furniture, so it’s more of a lobby where people can come in, get a drink and hang out before and after movies. We want to make it more like a community hub, a place where the community can hang out.”

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The theater has been renamed the Wildhorse Cinema + Arts and will feature new releases while also expanding its role as a hub for artistic expression and events space. This Thursday, movie fans will be able to see a lineup of movies that includes “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Paddington in Peru,” “Dog Man” and “The Brutalist.”

“The primary focus is still new releases,” McKinley said. “But sometimes there are not a lot of new releases, or new releases that really speak to our community, so we’ll be peppering in fun different things at different times of the year.”

The new ownership group has made changes to two of the screening rooms in the venue, adding a narrow stage to one that can be used for post-film talk backs, panels and other purposes.

Another screening room will become Take5, a new speakeasy-style exhibition and events space that will host events including performances, classes and comedians.

“We took out a bunch of seats so the floor is cleared, and now there’s a stage in there. For now, we have temporary lighting and sound, but if we get a donation down the way then we’ll add permanent lighting and sound in that room,” McKinley said of Take5.

The space will open with “Myriad of Gods,” a photography exhibit featuring the work of Masato Okazaki and Nobuyuki that will run through February. Inspired by their deep connection to nature, the collection is titled after Nobuyuki’s set of books “Portrait of Nature: Myriads of Gods,” with its images that capture the profound solitude and awe found in the natural world.

“These works don’t just depict nature, they immerse us in it, reminding us of our place within something much larger than ourselves,” McKinley said.

In March, McKinley said Undiscovered Earth will start programming jazz and comedy in the venue, will host art classes, and will be open to booking private events. The space will also be used during the day as part of the Prescription for the Arts program, an initiative providing arts experiences to support mental health and well-being.

McKinley said Undiscovered Earth is committed to bringing unique film programming, community events and art experiences to Steamboat Springs. Audiences can expect a rotating selection of new release films, classic films, independent cinema, and live performances throughout the year.

For tickets, schedules, and more information on upcoming movies, events and arts programming, visit WildhorseSteamboat.org and follow Wildhorse Cinema + Arts on social media.

“It’s been an exhausting 10 days,” McKinley said. “Our board has been phenomenal. We’ve had volunteers coming in and painting, and then just about every day cleaning and painting and getting things ready — it already feels like a community space, which is amazing.”