Madison Youth Arts

What Madison Youth Arts does

Madison Youth Arts (MYArts) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a 65,000 square foot purpose-built youth arts center in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 2018 with capital campaign support from lead donor Pleasant T. Rowland, the facility opened in 2021 and houses two theaters (a 290-seat Starlight Theater and a 100-seat Sunrise black box) along with 14 purpose-built rehearsal studios ranging from 519 to 2,051 square feet. The organization's physical infrastructure includes specialized features such as sprung wood floors, marley, concert grand pianos, sensory-friendly spaces, Braille signage in three languages (English, Spanish, Hmong), and ADA-compliant facilities. MYArts serves as the permanent home for anchor partners Children's Theater of Madison and Madison Youth Choirs, while hosting more than 50 additional youth arts programs across theater, music, dance, and visual arts disciplines. As of 2024, the facility had served more than 26,000 people since opening.

MYArts operates a hybrid revenue model combining facility rental income with philanthropic support. Youth-serving arts programs rent studios and theaters on a sliding-scale basis tied to organizational resources, while non-youth arts organizations pay fixed rates. The organization supplements rental revenue with donations, foundation grants, and capital contributions supporting an "Enduring Access" fund that subsidizes affordability for youth arts providers. Notable recent grants include a $75,000 gift from the Junior League of Madison in 2023 and a $50,000 award from the Genesis Inspiration Foundation in November 2024. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and operates with a small staff of 1-10 employees; Svetlin Borisov joined as Executive Director in January 2026, marking a leadership transition.

MYArts functions as community infrastructure rather than a direct arts education operator — partner organizations deliver programming to youth and families using MYArts facilities. The center does not maintain a mobile application, public API, or proprietary software platform; its technology footprint consists of building management systems, theatrical audio/lighting/video production equipment, and standard web/email platforms (Robly for newsletters). Service geography is limited to south central Wisconsin, and the organization has no parent company, institutional investors, or private equity backing.

Name

Madison Youth Arts

Legal name

Madison Youth Arts (MYArts)

Website

https://madisonyoutharts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Madison Youth Arts (MYArts) operates a 65,000-square-foot purpose-built youth arts center in Madison, WI, housing two theaters and 14 studios, serving as home to 50+ youth arts programs serving children and teens across south central Wisconsin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Center

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE), Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE)

Keywords

• Youth arts center
• Rehearsal space rental
• Performing arts facility
• Youth arts programming
• Community arts space

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Space Rental and Facility Use: MYArts generates revenue through renting rehearsal studios, classrooms, and theater spaces to youth arts programs and community organizations. Youth arts programs pay on a sliding scale based on their resources, while non-youth arts programs pay fixed rates.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, MYArts relies on donor contributions to support the Enduring Access fund, which ensures affordable space rates for youth arts providers.
3. Foundation Grants: The organization receives grants from foundations such as the Junior League of Madison ($75,000 gift in 2023) to support programming and facility access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MYArts provides dedicated, purpose-built rehearsal studios, performance theaters, and community spaces on a sliding-scale basis to youth arts organizations in Madison, WI. The 65,000 square foot facility includes the 290-seat Starlight Theater, 100-seat Sunrise Theater, 14 specialized rehearsal studios, and a visual art gallery, serving as home to over 50 youth arts programs including anchor partners Children's Theater of Madison and Madison Youth Choirs.

Product overview

Madison Youth Arts (MYArts) is a 65,000 square foot dedicated youth arts center in Madison, WI that operates as a multi-venue facility providing space and programming for youth arts organizations. The organization offers a portfolio of physical venues and services including the 290-seat Starlight Theater (proscenium style) and 100-seat Sunrise Theater (black box), fourteen purpose-built rehearsal studios, and visual art gallery space. MYArts serves as permanent home to anchor partners Children's Theater of Madison and Madison Youth Choirs, while hosting over 50 additional youth arts programs through its space rental program. The facility supports diverse disciplines including theater, music, dance, and visual arts through its purpose-built studios and community spaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MYArts Facility and Space Rental MYArts provides dedicated, purpose-built youth arts facility space for program partners including rehearsal studios, performance theaters, and community spaces available for rental on a sliding scale basis for youth arts organizations and fixed rates for non-youth programs.
• Starlight Theater A 290-seat proscenium-style theater with state-of-the-art audio, lighting, and video production equipment, available for rental for performances, presentations, and events.
• Sunrise Theater A 100-seat flexible black box theater with variable seating configurations, suitable for more intimate performances and events, featuring audio and lighting equipment on site.
• Studio Spaces (14 Rehearsal Studios) Fourteen purpose-built rehearsal studios ranging from 519 to 2,051 square feet, designed for music, theater, dance, and visual arts, featuring amenities such as sprung floors, marley, pianos, bluetooth speakers, and a sensory-friendly studio.
• Visual Art Gallery Space Gallery space featuring an art rail system for displaying rotating exhibits of 2D visual art by youth artists, with coordination support for exhibitions lasting 1-3 months.
• Outdoor Murals Three community murals installed on the exterior of the building facing Ingersoll Street, created through collaboration with Dane Arts Mural Arts and youth contributors from local schools.
• Youth Arts Program Hosting MYArts serves as home to over 50 youth arts programs including Children's Theater of Madison and Madison Youth Choirs, offering affordable space and institutional support to program partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26,000+ people served since opening
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, development partner and program partner.

• Children's Theater of MadisoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2021Anchor partner and founding tenant of MYArts. Led fundraising efforts, worked with architects and builders, and built community connections to establish the center. CTM produces theater productions for family audiences and offers year-round educational programs for pre-K through grade 12. Contact: Erica Berman, Director of Education; (608) 255-2080; [email protected]
• Madison Youth ChoirscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2021Anchor partner and founding tenant of MYArts. Co-led the capital campaign and building development efforts. Provides choral music education and performances for youth. Contact: Lynn Hembel (Executive Director), Mike Ross (Artistic Director); (608) 238-SING; [email protected]
• Eppstein Uhen Architectsdevelopment partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm that designed the MYArts building, creating purpose-built youth arts facilities including theaters, studios, and accessibility features.
• C.G. Schmidtdevelopment partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company that built the MYArts facility.
• Stone House Developmentdevelopment partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development firm that developed the MYArts project.
• Dane Arts Mural Arts (DAMA)program partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity mural project organization that collaborated on creating the three murals outside the MYArts building, involving 70+ youth artists.
• Art & Sonsprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt firm that contributed to mural design and installation at MYArts building.
• Cultural Connections Madisonprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth arts organization providing visual arts programming and contributing youth artwork and patterns to MYArts murals.
• Little Picassosprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisual arts program contributing youth artwork and screen-printed patterns to MYArts murals. Free arts programs for kids from low-income families.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Imagination Stage: Bethesda, MD-based professional theater dedicated exclusively to children and youth, with year-round classes and productions. Directly comparable as a purpose-built youth performing arts organization combining education and performance.
• COCA (Center of Creative Arts): St. Louis-based community arts organization offering multidisciplinary arts education (theater, dance, music, visual arts) with dedicated studios and performance spaces. Closely comparable as a youth-centered community arts center.
• Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts: National park-based performing arts venue with a strong education and youth programming mission. Comparable to MYArts as a purpose-built performing arts facility that combines professional venue operations with youth arts education programming.
• The New Victory Theater: NYC's leading performing arts venue for kids and families, operating its own theater and partnering with arts education providers. Comparable as a year-round youth arts venue combining performances with educational programming.
• ArtsQuest: Bethlehem, PA-based community arts organization operating multiple venues and youth-focused arts programming. Comparable in operating multiple performance spaces and serving as an arts-and-culture hub for its community.
• Yocum Institute for Arts Education: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit providing multi-discipline arts education (theater, music, visual arts, dance) and operating its own performance and studio spaces. Directly comparable as a community-based youth arts education center.

Broad incumbents

• Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Chicago-based major regional theater with an established youth and education department (Steppenwolf for Young Adults). Comparable as an arts institution with significant youth programming, though far larger and broader in scope than MYArts.
• Alliance Theatre: Atlanta-based Tony-winning regional theater with substantial youth programming (Acting Out, drama education, school partnerships). Comparable in operating a regional theater that houses a youth arts education program, though at a much larger scale.

Regional players

• Children's Creativity Museum: San Francisco-based youth-focused creative arts and technology experience space. Comparable in operating a dedicated facility where children engage in creative production, though focused on multimedia/digital rather than performing arts.

Others

• National Guild for Community Arts Education: National membership organization representing community arts education providers. MYArts would be a member-type peer within this network of similar mission-aligned youth arts education centers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mycchoirs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/madisonyouthchoirs
• Facebookfacebook.com/madisonyoutharts
• Instagraminstagram.com/ctmtheater

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 Madison Youth Arts