Donate to build the florida Budokan

Thank you for your interest in donating to Arching Oaks Japanese Art and Culture Center expansion! Our 20 acre facility has been named the largest Japanese cultural institution in the State of Florida and was rezoned by Lake County Commissioners as a Cultural Facility (Ordinance #2021-29). This facility will continue the programs and process we already have begun and believe it is crucial to the future survivability of cultural traditions outside Japan and will be a positive contribution to society.
In an effort to promote these key values and inspire new awakenings through the Japanese arts, Arching Oaks Art and Culture Center provides high quality instruction and programming grounded in tradition and facilitated by instructors of the highest caliber. Read our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.
Arching Oaks was founded in February of 2019 as a federally recognized non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (EIN# 83-3573969) dedicated to promoting traditional Budo and fine arts and crafts of Japan. Arching Oaks' main purposes are as follows:
In an effort to promote these key values and inspire new awakenings through the Japanese arts, Arching Oaks Art and Culture Center provides high quality instruction and programming grounded in tradition and facilitated by instructors of the highest caliber. Read our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.
Arching Oaks was founded in February of 2019 as a federally recognized non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (EIN# 83-3573969) dedicated to promoting traditional Budo and fine arts and crafts of Japan. Arching Oaks' main purposes are as follows:
- Provide weekly opportunities for individuals and organizations to learn about Japanese culture and Japanese history through educational and training programs focused on traditional Japanese Budo arts, fine arts and crafts
- Host and facilitate workshops and seminars wherein the public may gain access to quality instruction in and education about traditional Japanese arts and culture
- Impart educational support and grow instructors in the Japanese arts
- Facilitate educational and artistic programming focused on, but not limited to, traditional Japanese Arts, Crafts and Culture
- Research and translate historical Japanese documents related to the arts, crafts and Budo arts for dissemination

Arching Oaks' facilities include two traditional dojos, training spaces for the practice of traditional Budo including a Kyudojo. This specific type of dojo is one of only four in the United States, and the only one in the state of Florida. The interior of both dojos are large enough to comfortably host large gatherings of students for international seminars and multi-day events focusing on Budo and Shugyo. Adjacent to one of the dojos is a tatami room, created for hosting instruction in traditional Chado tea ceremony and Kodo incense ceremony. The facilities also boast an art studio/classroom space used to host classes and workshops focused on a variety of Japanese arts and fine crafts. Future funding will go to building a parking lot adjacent to the newest dojo, a 4-acre Japanese Garden, a museum gallery and a new public road installed with direct access to the Budokan.
Preparations for new workshops and classes are continuously being planned including ones for Zen meditation, Chigiri-e paper collage, Nerikomi pottery making, Furoshiki wrapping, Kimono-wearing instruction, Yokai storytelling, Japanese cuisine instruction, Armor workshops, Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing), Shibori indigo dyeing, Japanese language and Kumihimo (cord-weaving). We recently co-wrote a book called “Shinto Moments” in order to broaden the understanding of Shinto to the western world.
Our goal is to raise sufficient funding with current financing to complete facilities by October 2024 (Above plan). If you see value in maintaining traditional Japanese Arts and Culture, please donate.
What we have done so far:
Arching Oaks Art and Culture Center is humbly seeking your support to help cover operational needs and expansion associated with sustaining life to these traditional Japanese arts. Thank You!
Preparations for new workshops and classes are continuously being planned including ones for Zen meditation, Chigiri-e paper collage, Nerikomi pottery making, Furoshiki wrapping, Kimono-wearing instruction, Yokai storytelling, Japanese cuisine instruction, Armor workshops, Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing), Shibori indigo dyeing, Japanese language and Kumihimo (cord-weaving). We recently co-wrote a book called “Shinto Moments” in order to broaden the understanding of Shinto to the western world.
Our goal is to raise sufficient funding with current financing to complete facilities by October 2024 (Above plan). If you see value in maintaining traditional Japanese Arts and Culture, please donate.
What we have done so far:
- Established non-profit status in February 2019
- Started a Japanese Arts Outreach Program at Seminole Springs Elementary School
- Initiated a Support Program for Veterans, active-duty military and first-responders
- Created community spaces that house the art studio, restrooms, student bedrooms, kitchenette, and offices
- Constructed the only Kyudo Dojo in the state of Florida
- Built a 7 tatami tea room and sensei break area adjacent to the original dojo
- Installed underground utilities to include an additional septic system and fresh water well
- Facilitated rezoning of the 20 acres to a Lake County Cultural Facility Development
- Established working collaborations with various Japanese governmental and non-governmental organizations
Arching Oaks Art and Culture Center is humbly seeking your support to help cover operational needs and expansion associated with sustaining life to these traditional Japanese arts. Thank You!
Donation Levels
(One time Donation)

Seito: $100
- Tax deduction Form provided
- 3 Free Budo Classes (within 6 months of donation)
- Exclusive invitations to members-only receptions and events

Deshi: $250
All Seito Level benefits plus one additional adult (when accompanied by Donor)
All Seito Level benefits plus one additional adult (when accompanied by Donor)

Sempai: 500
- All Deshi Level benefits, PLUS 1 admission to a cultural program.

Samurai $1500
All Sempai Level benefits PLUS free admission for two additional guests to a cultural program.
All Sempai Level benefits PLUS free admission for two additional guests to a cultural program.

Shogun $4500
- All Samurai Level benefits PLUS free admission for 4 additional guests to a private cultural course
- Invitation to exclusive Shogun events and lectures
- Weekend rental of one of the Dojos (within 12 months)
Annual Giving
The Annual Fund provides a vital source of unrestricted income to support every facet of Arching Oaks' operations, from our on-site educational programs, school and Veterans outreach programs, to maintaining and expanding our collection of Japanese cultural artifacts, to presenting diverse and thought-provoking exhibitions and lecture programs of the highest quality. When you make a gift of any size you are providing invaluable support for promoting Japanese culture and for the conservation, protection and presentation of Japanese art.
What your 100% tax-deductible dollars support:
Gifts in Honor or Memory
You can recognize a loved one while supporting the collections, exhibitions, and educational programs of the Arching Oaks Art and Culture Center. Your contribution will be acknowledged with a card informing the person being honored of your generosity and commitment, or if you wish to remember someone who appreciated Japanese arts and culture during their lifetime with a memorial gift , your contribution will be acknowledged with a personal gift message to the family or friends you designate.
Naming Opportunities
Helping to support the gardens, developing more cultural programs, and improving the life of our community is made easy through our naming opportunities. You can honor a loved one by naming a space (like the Dojo, classroom or the exhibit space), a spot in the garden (such as our front entrance garden, a bridge, gate, lantern, or bench) or even an event, festival or performance.
Planned Giving
Planned gifts will be an important part of our Center's development program. Bequests of all sizes play an important role in the growth of our training and education spaces. You can also help ensure that future generations are able to experience the Arching Oaks through a planned gift.
For more information on any of these annual giving programs, please contact Chelsey Velilla, Programs Director, at [email protected]. Thank you.
What your 100% tax-deductible dollars support:
- Education: Our educational programs teach not only about the history, art and lifestyle of Japan, they also highlight the contributions and heritage of early immigrants to Florida, and encourage children to seek similarities, as opposed to differences, in all foreign cultures.
- Exhibitions: Arching Oaks is home to the only purposely-built Budokan in the nation, we are devoted specifically to the arts and humanities of Japan, we strive to present exhibits that further understanding and appreciation of all aspects of Japanese art and culture.
- Acquisitions: Collections committee seeks additional funding to supplement our permanent collection of hundreds of examples of Japanese fine art, crafts and objects of daily life.
- Conservation: Specialists from around the nation help us conserve and repair our valued collection. Your support of this crucial work will ensure our artifacts receive the care and attention they need.
- Cultivation: Our future Japanese gardens will serve as the background for our festivals, while also providing healing environments utilized by wounded warriors and Shinrin Yoku (forest therapy) participants.
Gifts in Honor or Memory
You can recognize a loved one while supporting the collections, exhibitions, and educational programs of the Arching Oaks Art and Culture Center. Your contribution will be acknowledged with a card informing the person being honored of your generosity and commitment, or if you wish to remember someone who appreciated Japanese arts and culture during their lifetime with a memorial gift , your contribution will be acknowledged with a personal gift message to the family or friends you designate.
Naming Opportunities
Helping to support the gardens, developing more cultural programs, and improving the life of our community is made easy through our naming opportunities. You can honor a loved one by naming a space (like the Dojo, classroom or the exhibit space), a spot in the garden (such as our front entrance garden, a bridge, gate, lantern, or bench) or even an event, festival or performance.
Planned Giving
Planned gifts will be an important part of our Center's development program. Bequests of all sizes play an important role in the growth of our training and education spaces. You can also help ensure that future generations are able to experience the Arching Oaks through a planned gift.
For more information on any of these annual giving programs, please contact Chelsey Velilla, Programs Director, at [email protected]. Thank you.