Learning Through Art

What Learning Through Art does

Learning Through Art, Inc. is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1992 that produces literacy and performing-arts programming for early readers (K-3), families, schools, and community organizations across the U.S. Midwest and Jamaica. Its flagship offering, Books Alive! For Kids® (BA!FK®), is a multisensory literacy platform that combines sight, sound, and touch to make reading interactive; the program is delivered through monthly subscription book packs starting at $25/month, one-time book purchases, and program fees from partner institutions. The organization operates on a hybrid revenue model blending direct-to-consumer subscriptions (via booksaliveforkids.com and a Books Alive!® mobile app launched in August 2023 on iOS and Android) with philanthropic funding from a concentrated set of foundations, state/federal agencies, and corporate sponsors (Haile Foundation, ArtsWave, Ohio Arts Council, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, P&G, NEA, Altafiber).

The platform architecture centers on a curated library of award-winning literacy content built over more than 30 years — including a PBS-broadcast television series, a Regional Emmy-winning app and streaming production, the Paige Turner mascot-led Virtual Adventures, and a Story Quilts community art-making initiative launched in 2021 in partnership with the GWU Centre for Community Resilience under the Arts Over ACEs framework. Go-to-market is community-led and partnership-driven: a 50+ ecosystem of schools (notably Cincinnati Public Schools), regional libraries (Campbell County, Kenton County, Lawrenceburg, Cincinnati & Hamilton County), cultural institutions (Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center), universities (Xavier, GWU), and youth organizations (Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road) provides distribution, while events (Crown Jewels of Jazz summer series, Family Adventures, NEA Big Read 2026) drive awareness.

The organization is led by CEO & Co-Founder Kathy Wade (multiple Regional Emmy winner, 2023 Ohio Governor's Award for Arts Administration, 2024 Marian A. Spencer Mosaic Award recipient) alongside a 5-person core team. Over 31 years it has raised more than $6 million in cumulative funding and reached 1.1 million+ engaged readers. It is preparing for international expansion (World Literacy Summit 2025 at Oxford, planned South Africa operations) and broadening beyond core literacy into resilience/ACEs programming, while remaining a small, donor-funded nonprofit without venture or private equity backing.

Name

Learning Through Art

Legal name

Learning Through Art, Inc.

Website

https://learningthroughart.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Learning Through Art is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces the multisensory Books Alive! For Kids® literacy platform — combining sight, sound, and touch via subscription book packs and a mobile app — serving K-3 early readers, schools, libraries, and community organizations across the U.S. Midwest and Jamaica.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Literacy Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Early Readers & Phonics (Learn-to-Read) (EDAGAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Foundational Literacy & Early Reading Apps (EDACANAA), Digital Reading Content & eBooks (Leveled Readers, Libraries) (EDAFACAH), Children’s Activity & Workbook Publishing (MPAJAFAG), Creative Arts, Music & Movement Content (EDAGACAG)

Keywords

• Children's literacy programs
• Arts education services
• Multisensory reading experiences
• School literacy partnerships
• Community arts engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Subscription Book Packs: Monthly subscription service delivering curated book packs to subscribers, providing recurring revenue through tiered subscription plans.
2. One-Time Book Purchases: Individual book purchases for non-subscribers seeking specific titles without committing to recurring subscriptions.
3. Program Fees: Fees from community organizations, schools, and libraries for program access and implementation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Learning Through Art delivers the Books Alive! For Kids® multisensory literacy program for K-3 early readers, combining sight, sound, and touch to combat childhood illiteracy. Core offerings include tiered monthly book pack subscriptions (starting at $25/month), the Books Alive!® mobile app on iOS and Android, individual book purchases, institutional program access for schools and libraries, and ancillary performing arts programs such as Family Adventures, the Crown Jewels of Jazz concert series, the Story Quilts Project, and Mosaic Edutainment lecture-performances.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Books Alive! For Kids®: National award-winning performing arts literacy program designed to make reading come alive through sight, sound, and touch for early readers
• BA!FK®
• Crown Jewels of Jazz
• Sounds From The River
• Mosaic Edutainment
• Arts Over ACEs
• Story Quilts Project
• Paige Turner

Products and services

• Books Alive! For Kids® Literacy Program A multisensory performing arts literacy program for K-3 early readers that combines sight, sound, and touch to reduce childhood illiteracy, teach resilience, and stimulate a love of learning. Designed for single user experience or classroom set, delivered as physical book packs, subscriptions, or institutional program access.
• Books Alive!® Mobile App A mobile application providing multisensory reading experiences with integrated sight, sound, and touch for early readers (K-3), available globally on iOS App Store and Google Play. Includes subscription access to download and print Books Alive! For Kids® program content.
• Family Adventures & Crown Jewels of Jazz Family programs at famous arts and cultural organizations in Greater Cincinnati, including curated children's books, read-alongs, hands-on arts and crafts, and live performances. Includes the Crown Jewels of Jazz summer concert series held each Wednesday of July celebrating America's Classical Music - Jazz.
• Story Quilts Project A community art-making project engaging participants to share truths about systemic racism and social justice through quilt-making, presented as a touring exhibition in partnership with national quilting organizations.
• Mosaic Edutainment Interactive lecture performances including Black Anthology of Music (BAM), Rhythms... Common Bonds, and Textural Rhythms: Hear The Touch, presented as arts-integrated educational programming for schools and community audiences.
• Sounds From The River A two-time regional EMMY-nominated original production connecting America's musical evolution to its waterways, performed live and filmed for school audiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached over 1.1 million readers across 30+ years of operation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for NEA Big Read programming, hosting community literacy events and providing access to library facilities and audiences for Books Alive! programs.
• Cincinnati Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary educational partner for school-based implementation of Books Alive! For Kids literacy programming across the district.
• Campbell County Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKentucky library partner hosting community literacy programming and extending reach to rural populations.
• Kenton County Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern Kentucky library partner for community literacy events and programming access.
• Lawrenceburg Public Library DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndiana library partner for regional literacy programming outreach.
• Ripley Union Lewis Huntington SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthern Ohio school district partner for school-based literacy programming.
• Cincinnati ParksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for community events and outdoor programming, providing venue access for literacy activities.
• Santa Maria Community ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity services organization partner for reaching immigrant and refugee families with literacy programming.
• Cincinnati Museum CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution partner for museum-based family programming and cross-promotional outreach.
• Hearing Speech and Deaf Center of Greater CincinnatiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccessibility partner ensuring literacy programs reach children with hearing and speech needs through adapted programming.
• Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness RoadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization partner for reaching girl scouts with literacy programming across Kentucky region.
• CET/PBSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic broadcasting partner for television broadcast of Books Alive! For Kids programming.
• Wave Pool GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt gallery partner for Story Quilts exhibition and artistic programming.
• Cincinnati Chamber OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusical ensemble partner for jazz programming and cultural events.
• National Underground Railroad Freedom CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum partner for cultural and historical programming events.
• Cincinnati BoychoirminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusical partner for collaborative arts programming and events.
• Xavier UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner for academic programming and potential research collaborations.
• ElementzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban arts center partner for youth arts programming and community outreach.
• Milken Institute School of Public Health; The George Washington UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner along with Center for Community Resilience for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) related programming.
• Women of Color Quilters Network, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational quilting organization partner for Story Quilts exhibition and artistic collaboration.
• MetrominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional transit authority partner for transportation-related programming and community access.
• The Cincinnati HeraldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAfrican American newspaper partner for media coverage and community outreach marketing.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Epic!: Subscription-based digital reading platform for kids 12 and under, offering leveled readers and library content. Directly comparable as a subscription reading product targeting schools and families, though it is much larger and well-capitalized.
• Reading Eggs: Early-literacy app and book program for ages 2-13 covering phonics, reading, and comprehension. Closely aligned with Books Alive! For Kids in targeting K-3 foundational literacy through a digital app plus workbook format.
• Homer (Learn with Homer): Early-reading app focused on ages 2-8 using a personalized, multi-modal learning approach. Comparable as a subscription early-literacy app targeting the same K-3 segment with a similar age-appropriate content library.
• Hooked on Phonics: Learn-to-read program combining workbooks, digital content, and apps for early readers. Direct overlap with Books Alive! For Kids' phonics and foundational reading focus for K-3.

Broad incumbents

• ABCmouse: Mass-market early learning subscription platform covering reading, math, science, and art for ages 2-8. Competes for the same family/school budget dollars with a much broader curriculum footprint.
• Khan Academy Kids: Free early-learning app for ages 2-8 covering literacy, math, and social-emotional learning. Competes in the same school-and-family distribution channels, including public library partnerships.
• PBS Kids: Public broadcaster's children's educational platform with literacy-focused TV and digital content. Learning Through Art's existing CET/PBS broadcasting partnership underscores this overlap.
• LeapFrog (LeapFrog Academy): Established educational toy and digital learning brand for early readers with subscription app and physical products. Overlaps in multisensory early-reading play, though backed by VTech's much larger scale.
• Scholastic: Major children's book publisher and education provider with school-based book clubs, literacy programs, and classroom magazine products. Competes for the same school-district literacy budget with a much larger content portfolio.
• Sesame Workshop: Nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street with literacy, social-emotional, and early-childhood programming. Comparable as a nonprofit literacy content creator with strong school and community distribution, though at vastly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lartinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/learningthroughartinc
• Instagraminstagram.com/learningthroughart
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/learning-through-art

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Learning Through Art