The Columbus Association For The Performing Arts

What The Columbus Association For The Performing Arts does

The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) is a nonprofit performing arts presenter and venue operator founded in 1920 (with the org's summer movie series referencing a 57th season in 2026) and headquartered at 39 East State Street in Columbus, Ohio. CAPA stewards a portfolio of eight historic Columbus-area venues including the Ohio Theatre, Palace Theatre, Southern Theatre, Lincoln Theatre, McCoy Center, Riffe Center Theatre Complex, Drexel Theatre, and Hinson Amphitheatre, and presents programming across Broadway touring productions (Broadway in Columbus), an annual classic film series, the Cinema Columbus Film Festival, and Festival Latino. Beyond presenting, the organization runs an education division with school programs (Passport to Learning, Broadway for Kids Applause, Broadway in the Classroom) and the CAPA Marquee Awards, a musical theatre adjudication program across 26 high schools in 12 central Ohio counties, plus community programs (ARISE, Día de los Niños, Schooled on Poetry).

CAPA's business model blends earned revenue from ticket sales (broadway shows $39-$59, comedy $32-$45, family $24-$40, concerts scaling to higher tiers), venue rentals, and gift certificates with contributed revenue from individual giving, corporate and community partnerships (Nationwide, PNC, Bank of America, Ice Miller, Cenovus, Marzetti, Ohio College Advantage, Worthington Companies Foundation), and foundation grants (Bank of America $500K for Music Hall development, PNC Foundation $180K for centennial programming). Distribution is multi-channel through the in-house CAPA Ticket Center (phone, online, in-person), the capa.com and BroadwayInColumbus.com platforms, and partnerships with national touring presenters such as NETworks Presentations and AEG. Technology is limited to ticketing/event management, Google Analytics, Google and Facebook remarketing, and Adyen for PCI-DSS-compliant payment processing; no AI/ML or proprietary platform capabilities are disclosed.

The organization is governed by a board chaired by Michael Schoedinger and led by President & CEO Chad Whittington (COO since December 2015, CEO since August 2017), with Director of Education Amy Handra overseeing school programming. The named strategic priorities around the upcoming centennial and a new Wrightsel Music Hall signal capital expansion alongside continued diversification of programming, partnerships, and regional reach in central Ohio.

Name

The Columbus Association For The Performing Arts

Legal name

The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts

Website

https://capa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CAPA is a Columbus, Ohio nonprofit performing arts presenter and venue operator that stewards eight historic theatres and presents Broadway tours, concerts, films, festivals, and school and community education programs across central Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Presentation

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Performing arts presentation
• Historic venue management
• Live entertainment programming
• Community arts education
• Nonprofit theatre operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for Broadway productions, concerts, Summer Movie Series, and other performances across CAPA-managed venues.
2. Individual Giving: Donations from individual supporters and patrons of the arts.
3. Corporate and Community Partners: Sponsorships and partnerships with corporate entities like Nationwide, PNC Foundation, and Bank of America.
4. Venue Rentals: Rental income from third-party organizations using CAPA venues for their own events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CAPA presents, produces, and stewards performing arts programming across multiple historic Columbus venues, delivering Broadway touring productions, concerts, classic-film series, film and cultural festivals, and education/community programs to central Ohio audiences. It operates centralized ticketing and customer service, rents its theatres to third-party producers, and raises funds through ticket sales, donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) is a performing arts presenting organization that operates as a multi-venue performing arts center and community arts educator. CAPA manages a portfolio of historic theatre venues (Ohio Theatre, Palace Theatre, Southern Theatre, Lincoln Theatre, McCoy Center, and others) and presents multiple event series and programs. Core offerings include Broadway in Columbus (national Broadway touring productions), the CAPA Summer Movie Series (annual classic film programming), and the Cinema Columbus Film Festival. CAPA's education and engagement division delivers school programs (Passport to Learning Series, Broadway for Kids Applause, Broadway in the Classroom), the CAPA Marquee Awards (high school musical theatre awards), and community programs (ARISE, CAPA Community Creates, Día de los Niños). The organization also provides accessibility services, venue rentals, and gift certificates. CAPA serves as steward of Columbus's historic performing arts spaces and collaborates with resident arts groups and community partners to fulfill its mission of making performing arts accessible to all central Ohio residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Broadway in Columbus National touring Broadway productions presented at the Ohio Theatre and Palace Theatre for central Ohio audiences, including tours such as The Book of Mormon and Peter Pan.
• CAPA Summer Movie Series Annual classic-film series presented at the Ohio Theatre featuring curated classic films, cartoons, and special presentations, with single tickets and 10-packs available.
• Cinema Columbus Film Festival Annual film festival presented by CAPA showcasing diverse cinema programming for Columbus audiences.
• Festival Latino Annual festival celebrating Latino arts and culture in Columbus, recognized as one of the city's premier summer events and presented with community partners.
• CAPA Marquee Awards High school musical theatre awards program including adjudication of school productions, master classes, Broadway artist workshops, and a Tony Awards-style ceremony for central Ohio schools.
• School Programs Educational programming including the Passport to Learning Series, Broadway for Kids Applause, and Broadway in the Classroom, bringing performing arts education to K-12 students.
• Community Programs Community engagement initiatives including ARISE, CAPA Community Creates, Día de los Niños, Schooled on Poetry, and broader community engagement activities for central Ohio residents.
• Venue Rentals Rental of CAPA's historic theatre spaces to third-party organizations and producers for their own performances and events.
• Accessibility Services Accessibility offerings including audio description, ASL interpretation, sensory-friendly programming, and accommodations for patrons with disabilities attending CAPA events.
• Gift Certificates Gift certificates purchasable through the CAPA ticket platform and redeemable for CAPA events and performances at managed venues.
• CAPA Ticket Center & Customer Care Centralized ticket sales and customer service operation supporting all CAPA events and venues, available by phone (614-469-0939), online, and in-person at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Center.

Quantifiable outcome

• 57th season of Summer Movie Series
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Integration4 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• BalletMetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for co-productions including West Side Story (Feb 13-16, 2025) at the Ohio Theatre, combining dance and theatre arts.
• Opera ColumbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for West Side Story, bringing opera and theatre collaboration to CAPA venues.
• Columbus SymphonycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor collaborative partner for performances including West Side Story and Summer Night Music series. Columbus Symphony conducts at CAPA venues.
• Short North StagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on reimagined A Christmas Carol production at the Ohio Theatre, bringing local theatre expertise to the historic venue.
• NationwidesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Picnic with the Pops concert series and general programming.
• NETworks PresentationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTouring production presenter bringing national Broadway tours to CAPA venues including Peter Pan and The Book of Mormon.
• Parrish FamilysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor for Summer Movie Series programming.
• Columbus Recreation and ParkssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Scioto Mile Concert series bringing outdoor music events to the community.
• New Albany Symphony OrchestrasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerforming at CAPA venues for events including American Salute 250th Celebration and Holiday Spectacular.
• Windborne MusicsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduces symphonic rock shows including Windborne: The Music of Tom Petty with the Columbus Symphony.
• City of ColumbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for America 250-Ohio Signature Homecoming & Picnic event on July 4, 2026.
• Ohio StatehousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for America 250-Ohio Signature Picnic and activities.
• Ohio History ConnectionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for America 250-Ohio celebration bringing historical programming.
• CenovussupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for America 250-Ohio Signature Homecoming & Picnic event.
• MarzettisupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for America 250-Ohio Signature Homecoming & Picnic event.
• Ohio College AdvantagesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for America 250-Ohio Signature Homecoming & Picnic event.
• PEACE ChurchsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue host for Summer Night Music in Pickerington concert.
• Powell United Methodist ChurchsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue host for Summer Night Music in Powell concert.
• Columbus CommonssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor venue host for Nationwide Picnic with the Pops concerts including LeAnn Rimes performance.
• Bank of AmericasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor for Summer Movie Series programming.
• Ice MillersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Mighty Morton theatre organ demonstrations.
• New Albany Youth TheatresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting Disney's Descendants at McCoy Center as facility rental.
• Six String ConcertssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenting Both Sides Now theatrical concert at Lincoln Theatre.
• Ruckus EntertainmentsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTouring production company bringing The Life and Music of George Michael to CAPA venues.
• TheaterWorksUSAsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTouring theatre company presenting Dog Man: The Musical at Southern Theatre.
• AEGsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTouring concert presenter bringing Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds to Palace Theatre.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Playhouse Square: Playhouse Square is Cleveland's nonprofit performing arts center, stewarding multiple historic theatres and presenting Broadway tours, concerts, and community programming. Highly comparable to CAPA in venue-based presenting model, multi-venue stewardship, and reliance on touring Broadway economics.
• Aronoff Center for the Arts: Cincinnati's Aronoff Center is a multi-venue performing arts presenting facility operated as part of the Cincinnati Arts Association. Comparable to CAPA as a regional presenting organization hosting touring Broadway, concerts, and resident company performances for a mid-size Midwest market.
• Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts: Philadelphia's Kimmel Center is a multi-venue performing arts campus presenting Broadway, jazz, classical, and family programming. Closely aligned with CAPA's model of operating multiple halls under one nonprofit presenting umbrella.
• Ordway Center for the Performing Arts: Saint Paul's Ordway Center is a nonprofit performing arts venue presenting Broadway tours, concerts, and the annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival. Comparable regional presenting model with strong educational programming overlap with CAPA.
• Blumenthal Performing Arts: Blumenthal operates several historic Charlotte venues (Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse, etc.) under a single nonprofit presenting organization. Closely mirrors CAPA's multi-venue stewardship and Broadway touring presentation model in a mid-size Southeast market.
• Wharton Center for Performing Arts: Michigan State University's Wharton Center presents Broadway tours and performing arts programming across multiple halls. Comparable regional presenting scope and educational programming emphasis to CAPA.
• Fox Theatre (Detroit): The Fox Theatre in Detroit is a restored historic venue presenting Broadway, concerts, and family shows under a nonprofit operating model. Directly comparable to CAPA's historic-venue stewardship and touring Broadway presentation.

Broad incumbents

• Kennedy Center: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is the national performing arts center and a much larger federal-affiliated presenter. Overlaps with CAPA in multi-genre performing arts presentation and education, but operates at vastly greater scale and with national programming ambitions.
• AEG Presents: AEG Presents is one of the world's largest live entertainment presenters and venue operators, including a partnership routing touring concerts to CAPA's Palace Theatre. Comparable as a concert/touring presenter but operates as a global commercial enterprise rather than a regional nonprofit.

Others

• NETworks Presentations: NETworks Presentations is a major Broadway touring producer and presenter that partners with CAPA to bring national tours like Book of Mormon and Peter Pan to Columbus. Comparable as a counterparty in CAPA's touring Broadway business model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/capacolumbus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/capacolumbus
• Facebookfacebook.com/capacolumbus
• Instagraminstagram.com/capacolumbus

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Columbus Association For The Performing Arts