The Art of Elysium

What The Art of Elysium does

The Art of Elysium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 by Jennifer Howell and headquartered at 3278 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Its core product is a portfolio of community arts programming organized into five major disciplines — Arts Based Self-Esteem (for medically fragile children and at-risk youth ages 6-17), Fashion & Design, Film & Theatre, Music & Movement, and Visual Arts — delivered by 887 volunteer artists to over 30,000 beneficiaries annually across 110+ monthly workshops at hospitals, community centers, senior-care facilities, schools, and homeless shelters. Technology infrastructure is minimal: program delivery is human-led through volunteer coordination rather than a digital platform, with the organization's digital presence limited to a Squarespace-hosted website, Instagram, email newsletter, and an e-commerce Art Shop. Revenue is generated through three streams: tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors; 100% of net profits from the Art Shop selling original works, limited edition prints, and merchandise at price points from $25 to $180,000; and signature fundraising events including the HEAVEN gala, Genesis emerging talent showcase, and Paradis at Cannes Film Festival. The go-to-market model is community-led: the organization recruits volunteer artists aged 18+ who commit to service and receive Artist Services (Elysium Art Salons, industry networking, financing/distribution awards) in return, creating a self-sustaining talent pipeline that has anchored 28-year institutional relationships with major LA hospitals, academic institutions (USC, UCLA, Cal Arts, NYU), and shelter networks.

Name

The Art of Elysium

Legal name

The Art of Elysium

Website

https://theartofelysium.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Art of Elysium is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that pairs 887 volunteer artists with medically fragile children, seniors, homeless individuals, and at-risk youth across hospitals, shelters, schools, and senior facilities, serving over 30,000 people annually through community arts programming, signature fundraising events, and an online Art Shop.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Arts Programs

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Arts, Culture & Creative Placemaking Enterprises (BPAGALAO), Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG)

Keywords

• Community arts programs
• Nonprofit arts services
• Hospital arts workshops
• Volunteer artist programs
• Art therapy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors to fund programs and provide living wages for staff artists.
2. Art Sales: 100% of net profits from art shop sales (original works, limited edition prints, merchandise) directly fund The Art of Elysium's hospital workshops, mentorships, and community art initiatives.
3. Signature Events: Fundraising events including HEAVEN (annual gala), Genesis (annual emerging talent showcase), Paradis (Cannes Film Festival event), Pieces of Heaven, and Little Pieces of Heaven art auctions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Art of Elysium pairs volunteer artists with fragile communities in Los Angeles to deliver tailor-made creative programs at hospitals, community centers, senior-care facilities, schools, and homeless shelters. Programming spans four artistic disciplines (Fashion & Design, Film & Theater, Music & Movement, Visual Arts) plus Arts Based Self-Esteem workshops and Artist Services that support the volunteer artists in return. The organization is funded through donations, art sales, and signature fundraising events.

Product overview

The Art of Elysium operates as a nonprofit artist organization offering community arts programming and academic arts education. The core offerings include six interconnected programs: Arts Based Self-Esteem (for youth ages 6-17), Fashion & Design, Film & Theater, Music & Movement, Visual Arts, and Artist Services. These programs pair volunteer artists with communities in need across Los Angeles, serving over 30,000 individuals annually through 110 community programs per month. The organization complements its direct service programs with a fundraising events portfolio (HEAVEN, Genesis, Paradis) and an e-commerce Art Shop selling donated artwork, with 100% of proceeds supporting programs. The Art Kit Program provides creative materials to sustain artistic engagement beyond program sessions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arts Based Self-Esteem Arts-based support programs for youth ages 6-17 facing acute or chronic illnesses, chronic medical conditions, and economic insecurity challenges. Includes Girl Talk and Yo Lo Tengo workshops at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Creative Options for at-risk teens, Teen Power for adolescents with Type 1 diabetes, and Northpoint support groups for teenagers ages 13-19 struggling with social, emotional, and mental health issues.
• Fashion & Design Program Community programs including sewing classes, jewelry design, fashion photography, self-esteem focused makeovers, interior design projects, fashion show production, and modeling workshops. Serves 5,000-7,500 individuals annually through twelve weekly community programs.
• Film & Theater Program Film and theater programs including writing mentorships, role play improvisation, stop motion animation, original theater productions, and filmmaking workshops. Academic programs partner with universities including USC, UCLA, Cal Arts, and NYU to create year/semester-long programming pairing emerging filmmakers with established filmmakers to create fully funded feature-length films.
• Music & Movement Program Music and movement programs including live concerts, piano lessons, boxing, martial arts, dance, yoga, meditation, songwriting workshops, and music production. Serves 11,000-13,000 individuals annually through programs ranging from bedside performances to live concerts.
• Visual Arts Program Visual arts programs including painting, photography, sculpture, performance art, ceramics, woodworking, origami, graphic design, bronze casting, photography workshops, and art therapy. Serves 3,000-5,000 individuals annually through community workshops and the VIEW public art installations program.
• Artist Services Support services for volunteer artists including Elysium Art Salons with panel discussions, musical performances, and meals by culinary creatives; industry networking; meet and greets; and financing and distribution awards. Part of the organization's full-circle approach giving back to artists who volunteer their services.
• Art Shop Online marketplace selling original works, limited edition prints, photography, and merchandise from artists. 100% of net profits fund The Art of Elysium's community programs, hospital workshops, and mentorship initiatives. Pricing ranges from $25 for Art Kits to $180,000 for signature pieces.
• Signature Events (HEAVEN, Genesis, Paradis) Signature fundraising events including HEAVEN (annual gala), Genesis (annual emerging talent showcase with film screenings, concerts, fashion shows, and art installations), Paradis (Cannes Film Festival fundraiser), and Pieces of Heaven and Little Pieces of Heaven art auctions. Events champion volunteer artists and integrate artistic expression with philanthropy.
• Art Kit Program Provides age-appropriate, quality creative materials to communities served that can be left behind to continue art-making after program sessions end. Also available for purchase through the online Art Shop at $25 each.
• The People's Artist Competition National art competition presented by Johnny Depp for artists 18+ across North America. Artists compete for a $25,000 grand prize, Artforum Magazine appearance, and a showcase at The Art of Elysium's Salon in Los Angeles, while raising funds for the organization.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11,259 individuals served in 2023 with 526 arts programs and 13,689 program hours
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Children's Hospital Los AngelescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership spanning over 20 years providing arts-based self-esteem workshops for children ages 6-17 facing medical challenges. Programs include Girl Talk (for girls) and Yo Lo Tengo (for boys) at the hospital.
• USCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership creating year/semester long programming pairing emerging filmmakers with established filmmakers to create fully funded feature length films. Also includes programming at LAC USC Medical Center.
• UCLAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for film and theatre programming including curriculum-based educational programs and hospital workshops at UCLA Santa Monica location.
• Cal ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for film and theatre community engagement programming, creating educational opportunities for emerging artists.
• NYUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for film and theatre academic arts programming with structured, curriculum-based educational programs.
• The Sumbandila Scholarship TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership established in 2018 to provide art classes and mentoring to South African students through The Art of Elysium's Visual Arts programming.
• Shepard Fairey / Studio Number OnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative direction partnership for design and branding. Studio Number One received HOW Design Award for Elysium Bandini project. Collaborative public art projects including Webby Award-winning Obey Giant installation.
• Union Rescue MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing live concerts and creative programming for homeless individuals at the Skid Row location in Los Angeles.
• LA Family HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing support programs with creative arts components at multiple locations in North Hollywood, Boyle Heights, and Pacoima serving housing-insecure families.
• Palo Alto High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for film and theatre programming with structured, curriculum-based educational programs at the high school level.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sing for Hope: NYC-based nonprofit that mobilizes volunteer artists to serve communities through public art installations and community programs. Highly comparable full-circle model pairing volunteer artists with social impact, including the famous Sing for Hope Pianos program that parallels Art of Elysium's VIEW public art installations.
• Hospital Audiences, Inc. (HAI): Nonprofit organization bringing performing arts programs to hospitalized children, adults, and seniors in healthcare settings. Direct comparable to The Art of Elysium's hospital workshop model at Children's Hospital LA, Cedars-Sinai, and other medical partners.
• Young Audiences: National arts education nonprofit that brings professional artists into schools to provide curriculum-based programming for students. Directly comparable to The Art of Elysium's academic arts partnerships and school-based community programs across four disciplines.
• Musicians on Call: Nonprofit that brings live and recorded music to patients in healthcare facilities through volunteer musicians. Highly comparable in deploying volunteer performing artists in hospital settings, addressing similar psychosocial needs of medically fragile populations.
• Free Arts NYC: Nonprofit providing arts experiences and mentoring to under-served youth through volunteer artists and mentors. Direct comparable to The Art of Elysium's at-risk youth programs, Arts-Based Self-Esteem workshops, and Teen Power initiatives for vulnerable children and teens.
• Creative Growth Art Center: Oakland-based nonprofit studio and gallery for artists with developmental disabilities, offering community arts programming and an art sales program. Comparable to The Art of Elysium's community arts workshop model and e-commerce Art Shop channel serving both artists and beneficiaries.

Broad incumbents

• VSA (Kennedy Center): International arts and disability organization under the Kennedy Center, providing arts programming for people with disabilities across the US and globally. Comparable to The Art of Elysium's work with medically fragile and disability communities, but operates at significantly larger scale under institutional backing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/theartofelysium/?hl=en
• Xx.com/theartofelysium

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 The Art of Elysium