Pones

What Pones does

Pones Inc. is a private nonprofit dance collective founded in 2008 by Kim Popa, headquartered in Highland Heights, Kentucky (Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area). The organization provides artistic opportunities for community growth by delivering accessible, site-specific dance performances and movement-based educational programs to a multi-segment audience spanning community members, K-12 and university students, healthcare patients, private event clients, corporate customers, and arts institutions. Pones operates through four interconnected program areas: Pones in Public (PiP, site-specific community performances in unexpected venues), Productions + Collaborations (P+C, full-scale productions with partner institutions), Laboratory of Movement (workshops, classes, and youth apprenticeship), and MOVE (a 2023 social-justice platform paying artists of color).

The organization differentiates through a signature "pedestrian-inspired movement" technique that uses everyday, accessible movement vocabularies rather than traditional Eurocentric dance technique, supported by a proprietary B.E.S.T. Model (Body, Energy, Space, Time) choreographic framework for teaching. Pones has collaborated with over 400 artists, 180+ service and arts organizations, and 170+ education partners since 2008, delivering performances in over 90 Greater Cincinnati locations and expanding into Indianapolis and Chicago via the multi-city fringe festival circuit. The current film production CURRENT and the upcoming Tapped In tap dance work (June 2026 Fringe) extend output into on-demand ($10/film) and live theatrical formats.

Revenue derives from a hybrid nonprofit model combining donations (Monthly Mover subscriptions from $5/month and one-time tiers from $5 to $300+), grants from ArtsWave, Kentucky Arts Council, William O. Purdy Jr. Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Kentucky Foundation for Women, and program fees ($130/class for Dance 101, $130/session for Arts in Healing, $130/hour for music video work). Distribution runs through direct website inquiry forms, on-site mobile performances, community partner venues, arts festival circuits, and the Fringe Festival selection pipeline. The core operating team is small (1–10 employees) but the broader collective includes 80+ dancers, teaching artists, board members, and donors operating on a gig-based engagement model.

Name

Pones

Legal name

Pones Inc.

Website

https://pones.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pones Inc. is a Greater Cincinnati nonprofit dance collective that delivers accessible, site-specific performances, educational workshops, and social justice programming to communities, schools, healthcare facilities, and event clients across Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Services

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120), Dance Companies (71112), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Community dance programs
• Site-specific performance art
• Dance education workshops
• Arts in healing
• Performing arts collective

Headquarters

HQ city

Covington

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, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: Pones accepts donations at various giving levels including Monthly Mover ($5-$25/month), Change Maker ($5-$49.99), Dance Partner ($50-$149.99), Community Advocate ($150-$299.99), and Vibrancy Sponsor ($300+). Payments accepted via PayPal and Venmo.
2. Grants and Foundation Support: Pones receives operating support from ArtsWave (regional arts funding), Kentucky Arts Council (state arts agency with federal NEA funding), William O. Purdy Jr. Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and David C. Herriman Fund. These support strategic planning, operations, and specific programs.
3. Educational Programs and Workshops: Pones offers dance programming to schools, community centers, and organizations. Programs include Dance 101 ($130/class), Arts in Healing ($130/session), and multi-session packages. Sessions typically recommended in packages of 3-10.
4. Event and Performance Services: Pones provides choreography and performance services for weddings, bar mitzvahs, birthday parties, corporate events, flash mobs, and proposals. Pricing varies by event type and requirements.
5. Commercial and Industry Work: Pones has collaborated on music videos, commercials (EyeMed/Luxotica, Mike Albert Leasing, Spotted Yeti), lectures, and workshops for organizations including LPK, Interact for Health, and TedXCincinnati.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pones is a nonprofit dance collective that produces site-specific performances, dance education and healing workshops, and full-scale collaborative productions for community, educational, healthcare, and corporate audiences. Its work centers on a pedestrian-inspired movement vocabulary designed to make dance accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, delivered through three core programs—Pones in Public, Laboratory of Movement, and Productions + Collaborations—plus flash mob services, the MOVE social-justice program, and on-demand film content.

Product overview

Pones is a dance collective offering three interconnected program areas: Pones in Public (site-specific community performances), Productions + Collaborations (full-scale productions and creative partnerships), and Laboratory of Movement (teaching and educational programming including youth apprenticeship). Additional offerings include Flash Mobs + Special Occasions services, the MOVE social justice program, and CURRENT film production. The organization uses signature pedestrian-inspired movement to spark collaboration, connection, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MOVE: A social justice-focused program developed in response to the 2020 protests, building on Pones' commitment to socially engaged art by uplifting, resourcing, and funding independent artists of color.
• Pones in Public (PiP)
• Productions & Collaborations (P+C)
• Laboratory of Movement

Products and services

• Pones in Public (PiP) Site-specific, community-centered performances that bring dance into unexpected public spaces such as public transportation, libraries, parks, grocery stores, and festivals, removing barriers of time, cost, and location by offering free or low-cost, participatory performances accessible to all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Laboratory of Movement Teaching opportunities focused on using movement as a tool for expression, education, and connection through workshops, classes, and community events for all age groups, bodies, and experience levels, with sub-programs including Dance 101, Arts in Healing, Professional Development, Corporate Wellness, Dance Programs for Everybody, and the Summer Youth Dance Apprentice Program.
• Productions + Collaborations Full-scale productions and creative partnerships with arts organizations, artists, and institutions featuring original choreography and interdisciplinary performance, including industry work such as music videos, commercials, lectures, and workshops.
• Flash Mobs + Special Occasions Choreography and performance services for weddings, bar mitzvahs, birthday parties, corporate events, flash mobs, and proposals, including pop-up performances for local organizations and non-profit fundraisers.
• MOVE A social-justice program that uplifts, resources, and funds independent artists of color, featuring dance-infused works by actors, spoken-word artists, musicians, and dancers performed live and for free in public spaces.
• CURRENT A film exploring ideas of succession, resiliency, and adaptation through movement, storytelling, and soundscape, examining how natural disturbances transform humanity and nature, available on demand for $10.
• Summer Youth Dance Apprentice Program (SYDAP) A paid, eight-week opportunity for teens and young adults to collaborate with professional teaching artists in visual art and dance, developing creative, technical, and professional skills through projects including large-scale public murals and site-specific performances.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 artists and 180+ organizations collaborated with since founding in 2008
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ArtWorks CincinnaticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for the Summer Youth Dance Apprentice Program (SYDAP). ArtWorks provides funding and organizational support while Pones provides dance instruction and mentorship. Program has operated since 2023.
• Cincinnati Fringe FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPones has been selected for the Cincinnati Fringe Festival for over 12 consecutive years, presenting original productions annually at this major regional arts event.
• Cincinnati OperaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on productions including 'Amahl and the Night Visitors' combining opera and dance performance.
• Cincinnati Symphony OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProductions including CSO Friday Orange and CSO Young People's Concert, bringing dance to orchestral performances.
• Cincinnati Playhouse in the ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProductions including '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' and 'The Rising Sun' at Duke Energy Center.
• Cincinnati Art MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborations including Art After Dark, Anila Quayyum Agha Art x Pones, Kara Walker Art x Pones x Nina Simone, and Charles White 'A Little Higher' exhibition collaboration.
• Know TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProductions including 'Theatre: A Love Story' and venue for 'Between 3 and 5' (Cincinnati Fringe).
• Cincinnati Men's ChorusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPride Concert and Men's Chorus Pride Film collaborations.
• Contemporary Arts CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProductions including 'Letters from Attica' presented at the Contemporary Arts Center.
• Madcap PuppetsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborations including 'Amahl and the Night Visitors' (with Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra) and 'Pulcinella'.
• National Underground Railroad Freedom CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProductions including 'Motel X' presented at the Freedom Center.
• Cincinnati Choral SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProductions including 'Carmina Burana' combining dance with choral performances.
• Concert:NovaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborations with this chamber ensemble for innovative performances blending music and dance.
• Queen City FlashminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with this flash fiction/performance series for experimental works.
• Northern Kentucky University (NKU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNKU School of the Arts partnership including performances and employment of Executive Director Kim Popa as alum. Multiple award-winning productions created at NKU.
• Xavier UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOhio Valley Emmys and other productions involving Xavier University students and facilities.
• EyeMed / LuxoticaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial work including YellowHaus EyeMed advertising campaign and brand activations.
• LPKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLectures and workshops for this creative agency, sharing expertise in movement and creativity.
• Interact for HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoug Borwick Panel on Creating Community not Audiences, addressing health through arts engagement.
• TedXCincinnatiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresentations and lectures at TedXCincinnati events.
• The CarnegieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeaching location for dance classes and programs in the Greater Cincinnati area.
• Springer School and CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeaching location for dance classes for students with learning differences.
• Children's Hospital Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance classes taught by Kim Popa at the hospital, as well as collaboration on 'Under the Virtual Big Top' video.
• Children's Home of Northern KentuckyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProductions including 'Under the Virtual Big Top' video and '80s Night Virtual Charity Ball'.
• Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional development workshops for educators in Northern Kentucky.
• Governor's School for the ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional development workshops for gifted high school students in the arts.
• Cincinnati BalletminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction 'Graphic' created in collaboration with Cincinnati Ballet.
• Ronald McDonald House CharitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's Largest House Party event for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
• ArtWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual collaborations on mural projects and Summer Youth Dance Apprentice Program (SYDAP) since 2023.
• Green UmbrellaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMidwest Sustainability Summit collaboration with this regional sustainability alliance.
• LifeCenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2024 collaboration involving organ donation awareness mural and performances.
• NrityArpana School of Performing Arts (NSPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBharatanatyam masterclass conducted by Anupa Mirle for Summer Youth Dance Apprentice Program.
• Esoteric Brewing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for 'The Lotus Mandala' mural dedication and performance as part of ArtWorks collaboration.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• ArtsWave: Regional arts funder and campaign organizer in Greater Cincinnati. Not a peer in performance but a key funding ecosystem participant for Pones and a useful comparator for nonprofit arts organizational benchmarks.

Broad incumbents

• MOMIX: Touring dance company specializing in visually inventive, theatrical productions often performed in unconventional spaces and venues. Comparable to Pones in its emphasis on site-responsive work and commercial touring viability.
• Pilobolus: Internationally touring dance company known for innovative, accessible movement vocabulary and creative collaborations with non-dance organizations. Comparable to Pones in its focus on original choreography and brand-driven commercial work, though larger and more established.
• MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP: Major contemporary dance company with strong community engagement and education programming. Comparable to Pones in its integration of performance with teaching and outreach, though based in Brooklyn with national reach.

Direct peers

• Know Theatre of Cincinnati: Long-time Cincinnati Fringe Festival partner that has co-produced multiple Pones productions including 'Theatre: A Love Story' and 'Between 3 and 5'. Operates as a peer nonprofit in Cincinnati's performing arts ecosystem.
• AXIS Dance Company: Oakland-based dance company known for physically integrated performances featuring dancers with and without disabilities. Closest peer to Pones in its mission of inclusive dance and accessible movement vocabulary for diverse bodies.
• ArtWorks Cincinnati: Cincinnati-based youth apprenticeship and public art nonprofit that co-runs the Summer Youth Dance Apprentice Program with Pones. Direct operational peer and partner in shared apprenticeship programming.

Regional players

• Cincinnati Ballet: Premier regional ballet company in Pones' home market with whom Pones has previously collaborated on the production 'Graphic'. Both serve the Greater Cincinnati performing arts ecosystem but Cincinnati Ballet operates at significantly larger scale with a traditional proscenium model.
• CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER (Cincinnati): Regional contemporary arts venue where Pones has presented productions including 'Letters from Attica'. Functions as both collaborator and ecosystem peer in Cincinnati's mid-size arts infrastructure.
• DANCEWORKS INC: Mid-size dance presenting and producing organization. Shares Pones' hybrid model of presenting, education, and community programming within a regional footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ponesinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/ponesinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Pones