What CCAT does

CCAT (Community Center for the Arts & Technology) is a Fresno, California-based 501(c)-style non-profit community organization founded in January 2012 by Armando Valdez. Its mission is to empower and develop culturally diverse children through creative, technology-based, and performing arts approaches. CCAT operates a single physical facility at 267 N Fulton St in downtown Fresno, with a second satellite location in Bakersfield, California. The organization provides free classes to children ages 4-15 and vocational training to young adults and adults in disciplines spanning performing arts (folkloric dance, hip hop, theater, piano, guitar, ukulele, hula, singing) and digital media arts (television production, radio production, news reporting, sound engineering, graphic design, digital photography, web development, robotics and drones, t-shirt design and printing). Core programs include the flagship MANITAS youth media program — the first children's group to produce a bilingual television news show in the Central Valley — and a Vocational Training Program for the 17+ segment.

The organization has no proprietary technology platform; rather, it runs a hands-on, equipment-provision learning model where all instruments, cameras, and computers are supplied on-site. The facility contains specialized rooms for video editing, live-streaming, audio recording and podcasting, green-screen recording, theater practice, dance, and a multi-purpose computer lab. CCAT does not monetize tuition — all children's classes are free — and instead sustains operations through three revenue streams: (1) individual donations and grants from community-based organizations (including a $50,000 grant from the Latino Community Foundation in 2023), (2) merchandise sales via an e-commerce shop selling "Inspo" t-shirts ($19.99) and art prints created by children ($10.99), and (3) a business services exchange offering computer training, graphic design, website development, video production, marketing, and t-shirt printing to local businesses in return for donations supporting the free programs. Distribution is direct at the two physical locations plus performance venues such as Arte Américas and Paul Paul Theater, with visibility amplified through a Facebook page, YouTube channel, earned media (Telemundo coverage), and community events.

The customer base is structurally non-commercial: primary beneficiaries are underserved children and youth in the Fresno and Bakersfield areas (21,000+ served cumulatively since 1998), with secondary vocational training cohorts and a small segment of local businesses participating in the services-for-donations model. CCAT has no app, no API, no AI/ML technology, and no investors beyond the disclosed grant funding; operations are led by the founder alongside community volunteers.

Name

CCAT

Legal name

Community Center for the Arts & Technology

Website

https://go.ccatfresno.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CCAT is a Fresno, California-based non-profit community center founded in 2012 by Armando Valdez that provides free performing arts and digital media classes to underserved children ages 4-15, plus vocational training for young adults, across Fresno and Bakersfield locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Arts & Technology Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Personal Enrichment & Creative Arts Programs (EDAAAEAG)

Keywords

• Community arts education
• Youth performing arts
• Digital media training
• Vocational media training
• Youth education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Fresno

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Supported by individual donations and community-based organizations. The organization is a registered non-profit.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sells T-shirts (Inspo T-shirts) and art prints created by kids (Art by Kids program). Prices range from $10.99 to $19.99 for prints and T-shirts.
3. Business Services Exchange: Offers multimedia services to businesses (computer training, graphic design, website development, video production, marketing, t-shirt printing) in exchange for donations to support free community programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CCAT is a non-profit community center based in Fresno, California that provides free classes in performing arts and digital media arts to children, youth, and adults from underserved communities. The center delivers hands-on instruction in video production, radio production, robotics and drones, folkloric dance, piano, guitar, computer training, graphic design, digital photography, theater, web development, and sound engineering. Programming is supported by individual donations, grants, a merchandise shop, and business services exchanged for program sponsorship.

Product overview

CCAT (Community Center for the Arts & Technology) is a grassroots non-profit organization based in Fresno, California that operates as a single, unified community learning center rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The organization offers free educational programs in performing arts and digital media arts for children, youth, and adults from underserved communities. Core offerings include Video Production Classes, Radio Production Classes, Robotics & Drones Classes, Folkloric Dance Classes, Piano & Singing Classes, Guitar & Ukulele Classes, Computer Training, Graphic Design, Digital Photography, Theater Classes, Web Development, Sound Engineering, Lighting, and T-Shirt Design & Printing. The center also provides Vocational Training Programs for young adults 17+ and operates a Youth Media Program (MANITAS) that produces bilingual television news content. Additional revenue-generating programs include a T-Shirt Shop, Art by Kids Shop (selling children's artwork prints), and Business Multimedia Services for local businesses. Classes are provided free of charge to children 4 to 15 years old, with vocational training available for young adults and adults. The center opened in January 2012 and has expanded to include a second location in Bakersfield.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Free Arts & Technology Classes Program Umbrella program of free classes for children and youth in performing arts and digital media arts, including video production, radio production, robotics and drones, folkloric dance, piano, guitar, computer training, graphic design, digital photography, theater, web development, sound engineering, and lighting. All equipment and instruments are provided; classes are scheduled Monday-Friday evenings and weekends at the Fresno and Bakersfield facilities.
• Youth Media Program (MANITAS) Youth media program for children that produces the MANITAS bilingual television news show, the first children's bilingual TV news show in the Central Valley. Engages youth in TV/radio production, news reporting, and PSA production.
• Vocational Training Program Vocational training program for young adults 17+ and adults in Television Production, Radio Production, News Reporting, Sound Engineering, Graphic Design, and Digital Photography, designed to build career skills in media production and technology.
• Business Multimedia Services Fee-based multimedia services for local businesses including computer training, graphic design, website development, video production, marketing, and t-shirt printing. Provided in exchange for donations/contributions to support free community programs rather than direct payment.
• T-Shirt Shop Online e-commerce shop selling inspirational T-shirts designed in the community, including 'Be Awesome', 'Leave your fears', 'Grind and be grateful', and 'You decide' designs. Prices range around $19.99 (regular $22.99) with Buy 1 Get 1 50% off promotions and free delivery on orders over $80.
• Art by Kids Shop Print shop selling children's artwork as prints, including 'Green Nature', 'DaVinci Mickey', 'Crying Spiderman', and 'Green Fairy' designs. Prints priced around $10.99 (regular $14.97). Proceeds support free community programs.
• Community Support Services Community support services for underserved communities, individuals, and families going through difficult times, including acceptance of donations to sustain free programs.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CCAT UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025Gulf Medical University (GMU) partnered with CCAT UK to develop and launch the region's first CCAT Aeromedical Transport – Foundation Level Course, held December 4-9, 2025, to meet growing regional and global demand for aeromedical training.
• Arte Americas (Mexican American Cultural Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided facility space in 1999 when MANITAS program outgrew original location. Hosts CCAT events and theater productions including 'Forgotten Souls' play and 'Día de Muertos' celebrations.
• Big Picture Charter SchoolminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides internship opportunities for students at CCAT programs.
• Fresno State University's Migrant ProgramminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides internship opportunities for students through the university's migrant program.
• Men and Women's AllianceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides internship opportunities for program participants.
• Fresno Unified School District (POPPS Program)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership through Fresno Street Saint's POPPS program providing internship opportunities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Alliance for California Traditional Arts: California-based nonprofit supporting folk and traditional arts practitioners and communities. Comparable emphasis on Latino/immigrant cultural arts (e.g., folklorico dance), California regional focus, and connection to grant-making for traditional arts programming.
• Americans for the Arts: National nonprofit advocating for the arts and providing resources, research, and grant programs to arts organizations and educators. Comparable as a sector-level arts nonprofit and potential funder/convener, but operates in advocacy rather than direct youth programming.
• National Guild for Community Arts Education: U.S. membership organization supporting community-based arts education providers through advocacy, professional development, and research. Comparable as the national umbrella body for community arts centers like CCAT, though not a direct service provider.

Direct peers

• P.S. Arts: California nonprofit delivering arts education (dance, music, theater, visual arts) to underserved public-school children. Comparable mission of free arts access for youth from low-income communities, partnership-driven delivery model, and donor-funded revenue structure.
• Inner-City Arts: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing free arts education (visual, performing, media) to underserved youth. Comparable community-center model, free programming, donation-funded, similar youth demographic and bilingual/cultural emphasis, with deeper institutional infrastructure and funding scale.
• Community Music Center of San Francisco: San Francisco nonprofit offering affordable music and arts instruction across all ages with a mission of access for diverse communities. Comparable community-arts-education nonprofit model, sliding-scale/free programming, and donor-supported operations serving youth and adults.
• The HeArt Project: Los Angeles nonprofit providing arts-based social-emotional learning and creative programming to middle and high school students in underserved schools. Comparable youth-focused, arts-centered nonprofit serving low-income communities, with a school-district partnership model similar to CCAT's.
• Self-Help Graphics & Art: East LA Chicano arts center offering free community-based art programs and intergenerational cultural arts education. Comparable in its focus on Latino/immigrant community empowerment through creative arts, free programming model, and grassroots founding history.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National nonprofit network offering youth development programs including arts education, STEM, and after-school programming at community-based clubs. Comparable youth-services community-center model serving underserved youth, but operates at vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Young Audiences Arts for Learning: National nonprofit network bringing arts education programming to K-12 schools across the U.S. Comparable arts-education nonprofit serving youth in underserved communities, with a broader national scope and partnership-driven delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CCATFRESNO
• Facebookfacebook.com/CCATFRESNO

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CCAT