What Des Moines Performing Arts does

Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) is a Des Moines, Iowa-based 501(c)(3) non-profit performing arts organization founded in 1979 and operating four downtown venues: the Des Moines Civic Center, Temple Theater, Stoner Theater, and Cowles Commons. The organization presents Broadway touring productions through its flagship Willis Broadway Series (starting at $480 for a 6-show subscription package), supplemented by the National Geographic Live Speaker Series, Live at the Temple Concert Series, Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series, the Dance Series, the Wellmark Family Series, and the free Hy-Vee Summer Arts Series. Ticket distribution operates through its own ticket office, website, and DMPA mobile app, with subscription auto-renewal, flexible 8-month payment plans (starting at $60/month), online show substitution/exchange, and group discounts of 10-15% for parties of 10+. Free public Wi-Fi is available at the Civic Center.

DMPA's business model combines subscription-based season ticket revenue, individual ticket sales, corporate sponsorships (Willis Automotive, EMC Insurance, Prairie Meadows, Hy-Vee, Wellmark, KCCI 8 News), donations and philanthropy (including a $7-per-ticket donor subsidy for student tickets), and education program fees from summer camps (Musical Theater Camp at $315, Broadway Academy at $465, Broadway Intensive at $515). The Applause Series serves 50,000+ K-12 students annually at $1/ticket via donor subsidy, while the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards statewide competition and the Iowa Adventure Pass library partnership extend community reach. Internationally, DMPA is a member of the Independent Presenters Network (IPN), a 40-member consortium through which it co-invests in Broadway productions; DMPA-invested productions have earned 7 Tony Awards (The Lost Boys, Cats: The Jellicle Ball) and 30 combined 2026 Tony nominations across three productions. Education programs also include founding membership in the TYA Tour Development Collective. Leadership transitioned in January 2026 to Monica Holt (former Kennedy Center SVP), succeeding Jeff Chelesvig as President & CEO, with Heidi Watkins serving as VP and CFO.

Name

Des Moines Performing Arts

Legal name

Des Moines Performing Arts

Website

https://desmoinesperformingarts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Des Moines Performing Arts is a non-profit presenting organization that brings Broadway national tours, concerts, comedy, and dance to four downtown Des Moines venues through season subscriptions, individual tickets, corporate sponsorships, and youth education programs including summer camps.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Presentation

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE)

Keywords

• Performing arts presentation
• Broadway touring series
• Season ticket packages
• Arts education programs
• Live entertainment venue

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales - Season Packages: Primary revenue from Willis Broadway Series season ticket packages (starting at $480 for 6-show price level B package) and other series packages (Dance Series, National Geographic Live, Live at the Temple, Temple Comedy Series). Individual show tickets sold as add-ons or separately.
2. Individual Show Tickets: Single tickets to Broadway productions and other performances, sold through the ticket office, website, and app.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Major sponsors including Willis Automotive, EMC Insurance, Prairie Meadows, HyVee, Wellmark, and KCCI 8 News provide revenue and in-kind support.
4. Donations and Philanthropy: Tax-deductible donations supporting programs including the Applause Series ($7/ticket subsidy for students) and general operations.
5. Education Programs - Summer Camps: Revenue from summer camps including Musical Theater Camp ($315), Broadway Academy ($465), and Broadway Intensive ($515), plus before/after care.
6. Venue Rental and Ancillary Services: Valet parking services, patron lounge access, and facility rental at Des Moines Civic Center, Temple Theater, Stoner Theater, and Cowles Commons generate ancillary revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Des Moines Performing Arts is a non-profit presenting organization that presents Broadway national tours, dance, comedy, concerts, and National Geographic Live speakers across four downtown Des Moines venues. It sells season ticket packages (e.g., the Willis Broadway Series 6-show package starting at $480), individual show tickets, group tickets, and summer theater education camps, supported by corporate sponsorships, donations, and ancillary venue services such as valet parking and patron lounges.

Product overview

Des Moines Performing Arts is a nonprofit performing arts organization operating as a multi-venue presenting house rather than a single unified software product. The organization operates four venues (Des Moines Civic Center, Stoner Theater, Temple Theater, and Cowles Commons) and offers a portfolio of season ticket series and individual productions. The core product offering consists of the Willis Broadway Series (6-show main package plus add-ons), National Geographic Live Speaker Series, Live at the Temple Concert Series, Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series, The Dance Series, Hy-Vee Summer Arts Series, and the Applause Series for school field trips. Education programs include Musical Theater Camp, Broadway Academy, Broadway Intensive, and the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards. Tickets and season packages are available through the DMPA App and website.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Willis Broadway Series Flagship season ticket package featuring six main Broadway productions at the Des Moines Civic Center, including The Phantom of the Opera, Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen, and Just in Time, plus add-on productions like Mamma Mia!, The Sound of Music, and Legally Blonde - The Musical. Starting at $480 for the 6-show package with flexible payment plans.
• National Geographic Live Speaker Series Speaker series featuring National Geographic explorers, scientists, and photographers presenting on stage at the Des Moines Civic Center, including Wild Wolves of Yellowstone with Doug Smith, The Ghosts of Pompeii with Caitie Barrett, and Chasing Monarchs with Jaime Rojo. Groups of 10+ save 15%.
• Live at the Temple Concert Series Five-show concert series at the Temple Theater featuring musical performances including Mama Said String Band, Alysha Brilla, Oh He Dead, Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters, On The Lash, Alex Cuba, and The Boneshakers.
• Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series Two-show comedy series at the Temple Theater featuring performances like Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Macbeth, Hold On To Your Butts, and 80s kids.
• The Dance Series Two-show dance series featuring world-class dance performances including Ailey II and Ballet Hispánico New York at the Des Moines Civic Center.
• Hy-Vee Summer Arts Series Free outdoor performances during summer months featuring Polyglot Theatre's BEES, Storytime Under the Green Umbrella, and Dance Fitness with Tony Zika at Cowles Commons.
• Applause Series School field trip performances bringing world-class performing artists to Iowa K-12 students at subsidized ticket prices of $1 each, with $7 per ticket donor subsidy, serving over 50,000 students annually.
• Broadway Academy Six-day intensive camp for middle school students in grades 6-8 focusing on triple threat musical theater skills (acting, dancing, singing) with Broadway guest performers, culminating in a showcase at the Civic Center. Priced at $465 per session.
• Broadway Intensive Six-day camp for teens entering grades 9 through first year of college with Broadway professionals leading master classes in musical theater, with a culminating showcase performance. Priced at $515 per session.
• Musical Theater Camp Week-long day camp sessions for students entering grades 3-8, where participants receive roles in an original musical production performed at Temple Theater, with six sessions offered throughout summer. Priced at $315 per session.
• Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Statewide competition program providing professional feedback to high school students with a culminating showcase on the Civic Center stage guided by Broadway professionals.
• DMPA Mobile App Mobile application for accessing digital tickets (barcode appears 72 hours before performance), managing accounts, and exploring upcoming events. Available on Google Play and Apple App Store.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50,000 students experience live theater annually through the Applause Series at $1/ticket
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Independent Presenters Network (IPN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026DMPA is a member of the Independent Presenters Network (IPN), a consortium of 40 leading Broadway presenters, theaters, and performing arts centers. Through this membership, DMPA invests in Broadway productions and gains access to major national tours early in their runs. DMPA co-invested in productions including Buena Vista Social Club and Monty Python's Spamalot for the 2026-27 season.
• Iowa Adventure Pass ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDMPA partnered with the Iowa Adventure Pass program for the 2025-26 season to provide free theater tickets to families at participating libraries across Iowa, increasing access to live performances for underserved communities.
• TYA Tour Development CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDMPA is a founding member of the TYA Tour Development Collective, which supports the creation of new artistic work for young audiences. The collective awards funding to artists and companies creating touring productions for children and families. DMPA has previously commissioned Dominic Moore-Dunson's Float and invested in Joy Play Heart Productions' Fishing for Stars.
• Willis AutomotivemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWillis Automotive is the title sponsor of the Willis Broadway Series, DMPA's flagship Broadway programming series.
• Prairie MeadowsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrairie Meadows is a sponsor of multiple DMPA series including the Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series and Prairie Meadows Live at the Temple Concert Series.
• EMC InsurancemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEMC Insurance is a corporate sponsor of Des Moines Performing Arts.
• Hy-VeemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHy-Vee is the sponsor of the Hy-Vee Summer Arts Series, supporting free outdoor community programming at Cowles Commons.
• Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue ShieldmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWellmark is the sponsor of the Wellmark Family Series, supporting family-friendly programming.
• KCCI 8 NewsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKCCI 8 News is a media sponsor of Des Moines Performing Arts, providing media partnership and coverage for events.
• Inlet Dance TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInlet Dance Theatre partnered with Polyglot Theatre to deliver the Bees performance as part of the Hy-Vee Summer Arts Series at parks across the Des Moines metro.
• Des Moines Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDes Moines Public Library is a community partner for Storytime Under the Green Umbrella, a free family event series at Cowles Commons.
• National GeographicmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Geographic is the branded partner for the National Geographic Live Speaker Series at the Des Moines Civic Center, featuring explorers, scientists, and photographers presenting on stage.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC): Non-profit performing arts presenter in Nashville operating multiple venues and Broadway touring series. Directly comparable in scale, mission, and Broadway presenting model to DMPA, serving a comparable mid-size regional market.
• Ordway Center for the Performing Arts: St. Paul, MN-based non-profit presenter of Broadway tours, music, and dance in a Midwestern market of similar size. Operates a comparable mix of subscription Broadway series and education/community programming.
• Playhouse Square: Cleveland-based non-profit performing arts center and Broadway touring presenter operating multiple downtown venues. Closely analogous multi-venue Broadway presenter with similar education and community engagement programs.
• Overture Center for the Arts: Madison, WI-based non-profit presenting house featuring Broadway tours, dance, comedy, and family programming. Comparable Midwestern regional presenter with subscription Broadway model and education programming.
• Wharton Center for Performing Arts: Michigan State University's presenting venue in East Lansing, MI. Comparable Broadway tour presenter serving a similar regional market with subscription series and K-12 education programs like Applause Series.
• Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: Kansas City non-profit performing arts center hosting Broadway national tours, dance, and music. Comparable Midwestern multi-tenant venue presenter with subscription Broadway and education outreach.
• Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts: Orlando-based non-profit performing arts center presenting Broadway tours, concerts, and education programs. Comparable multi-venue presenting model with subscription Broadway and youth education programming.
• ASU Gammage: Tempe, AZ presenting venue bringing Broadway national tours to a regional market, IPN peer. Comparable subscription Broadway series presenter with education and community programming.
• The Smith Center for the Performing Arts: Las Vegas-based non-profit performing arts center presenting Broadway tours, concerts, and education programming. Comparable Broadway presenting and education/outreach model.
• Marcus Performing Arts Center: Milwaukee-based non-profit performing arts center presenting Broadway tours and concerts. Comparable Midwestern IPN-member Broadway presenter with subscription series and education programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/dsmperforming
• Facebookfacebook.com/DesMoinesPerformingArts
• Instagraminstagram.com/dsmperforming
• Xx.com/dsmperforming

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Des Moines Performing Arts