Wilson Center
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersBrookfield, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Wilson Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wilson Center
- Legal name
- Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts
- Website
- https://wilson-center.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wilson Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Center
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Arts & Design Camps (Visual Arts, Crafts, Design Thinking) (EDAMALAH), Music Camps (Band, Choir, Instrument Intensive) (EDAMALAJ), Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA)
Keywords
Where Wilson Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brookfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Wilson Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets and subscription packages for Mainstage, Matinee, and Studio series performances across multiple venues (619-seat Harris Theater, 136-seat Dawes Studio Theater)
- Individual Donations: Annual gifts from community members supporting programming, with Crump Circle recognition for $500+ donors including pre-performance receptions
- Sponsorships: Corporate and foundation partnerships supporting specific programs including performance sponsorships, visual art sponsorships, education sponsorships, and special event sponsorships
- Arts Education Programs: Fees from summer Arts Camp ($340 per camper), KidsWrites program ($500), and other classes including visual art classes, music lessons, and free family workshops
- Space Rentals: Rental revenue from hosting events including weddings, festivals, meetings, fundraisers, and private parties in venue spaces
- Special Events: Annual fundraising events including Golf Classic, Literary Luncheon, and The Big Event that generate support for educational programming
- Legacy/Planned Giving: Bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, charitable lead trusts, retirement plan gifts, life insurance policies
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Pick 4 Subscription - Choose any four shows and save 10% |
| Subscription | Annual | Pick 6 Subscription - Choose any six shows and save 15% |
| Subscription | Annual | Pick 8 Subscription - Choose any eight shows and save 20% |
| Subscription | Annual | Matinee Package - All six performances for 15% discount |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Group Tickets - Groups of 10 or more save 10% |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Summer Arts Camp - $340 per camper per week |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | KidsWrites Program - $500 for two weeks |
| Subscription | Annual | Crump Circle Membership - Annual contributions of $500 or more |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Wilson Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts is a multidisciplinary nonprofit cultural arts center in Brookfield, Wisconsin, offering live performing arts series (Mainstage, Matinee, Studio/Jazz in the Dawes, Starry Nights), arts education programs (Arts Camp, Beyond the Classroom, ArtsReach, KidsWrites), visual arts exhibitions (Ploch Art Gallery, Permanent Art Collection), annual fundraising events, and venue/space rentals for weddings, meetings, and private events.
Product overview
The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts is a multidisciplinary nonprofit performing arts center offering a portfolio of programs centered around three main disciplines: Performing Arts, Arts Education, and Visual Arts. The core performing arts offerings include the Mainstage Series (619-seat Harris Theater), Matinee Series, Jazz in the Dawes/Studio Series (136-seat Dawes Studio Theater), and the free outdoor Starry Nights Series. Arts education programs include Beyond the Classroom student field trips, ArtsCamp (two-week nature-themed summer camp for grades 1-6), ArtsReach community outreach, and KidsWrites. Visual arts offerings include the Ploch Art Gallery with rotating Wisconsin artist exhibitions and a Permanent Art Collection. Additional programs include Literary Luncheon, Golf Classic fundraising event, The Big Event gala, volunteer program, and space rentals. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Southeast Wisconsin, hosting over 55,000 visitors annually including more than 10,000 students.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mainstage Series
Quantifiable outcome
- 55,000+ people welcomed annually including more than 10,000 students
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Wilson Center
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Wilson Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature2 records
Wilson Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Wisconsin Arts BoardcoreState arts agency providing funding support through state tax dollars. The Wilson Center is supported in part by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin.
- National Endowment for the ArtscoreFederal arts agency providing grant support. The Wilson Center receives NEA funding as part of its diversified funding base.
- Arts MidwestcoreRegional arts organization providing funding and programming support to arts organizations in the nine-state Midwest region.
- United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF)coreUPAF is a major united arts fund supporting Milwaukee-area performing arts organizations. The Wilson Center is a proud United Performing Arts Fund Affiliate, receiving annual support through UPAF donations.
- Milwaukee Arts Partners (MAP)coreMAP is a consortium that shares a ticketing/marketing database (Tessitura) enabling online ticketing through each organization's website. Postal information is shared within MAP for marketing purposes.
- TessituracoreShared ticketing and marketing database used by Milwaukee Arts Partners consortium, enabling integrated online ticket sales and customer relationship management across member organizations.
- Wehr Nature CenterminorPartner providing nature programming for summer Arts Camp. Students explore nature through hands-on activities integrated with arts education.
- Wisconsin Conservatory of MusicminorWCM partners with the Wilson Center to provide music instruction during summer Arts Camp programs.
- First StageminorMilwaukee's acclaimed children's theater provides theater instruction during Wilson Center summer Arts Camp.
- Skylight Music TheatreminorPartnership for KidsWrites educational program where students write and perform original musical productions at the Wilson Center.
- Elmbrook SchoolsminorLocal school district with orchestra students collaborating on performances with visiting artists like Simply Three.
- The Legend at Merrill HillsminorGolf course venue for the Annual Golf Classic fundraising event.
- Brookfield Public LibraryminorPartner providing Rest and Read Time programming during summer Arts Camp.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Wilson Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Overture Center for the Arts: Madison, WI-based multi-venue performing arts presenter offering Mainstage, community, and education programming. Comparable to Wilson Center as a regional presenting venue with multiple halls, visual arts programming, and arts education.
- First Stage: Milwaukee's acclaimed children's theater company that is also a Wilson Center Arts Camp partner. Comparable as a performing-arts nonprofit with education programming and a similar donor/sponsor base.
- Milwaukee Repertory Theater: Milwaukee's regional theater producing plays and musicals across multiple stages. While it produces rather than presents, it competes for the same donor, subscriber, and corporate sponsorship dollars in Southeast Wisconsin.
- Ordway Center for the Performing Arts: Saint Paul, MN-based multi-venue presenter with Broadway, concerts, and education programming. Comparable mid-market presenter with similar hall sizes and multidisciplinary mission.
- Pabst Theater Group: Milwaukee-based operator of multiple historic theaters (Pabst, Riverside, Turner Hall) presenting concerts and comedy. Closest direct competitor for touring artist bookings in the Milwaukee metro.
- Marcus Performing Arts Center: Milwaukee's flagship multi-venue performing arts center presenting Broadway, concerts, and family programming. Direct geographic and functional peer presenting touring shows to Southeast Wisconsin audiences.
- Skylight Music Theatre: Milwaukee-based musical theater company and Wilson Center partner on KidsWrites. Comparable as a performing-arts nonprofit competing for similar audiences and arts education funding.
Broad incumbents
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: New York's preeminent performing arts campus presenting a broad portfolio across multiple venues. Overlaps as a presenter, donor magnet, and touring artist partner — far larger scale but a key benchmark for programming depth.
- Kennedy Center: National performing arts center with multi-venue programming, education, and federal funding ties. Comparable as a multidisciplinary presenter and NEA grant recipient, but at vastly larger scale.
Regional players
- Minnesota Orchestra (Orchestra Hall): Major regional orchestra operating its own presenting venue. Comparable as a Midwest performing arts presenter competing for touring artist co-bookings and corporate sponsorships in the upper Midwest.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Wilson Center social profiles
Digital presenceWilson Center compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Wilson Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wilson Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Wilson Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wilson Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wilson Center
What does Wilson Center do?
The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts is a multidisciplinary nonprofit cultural arts center in Brookfield, Wisconsin, offering live performing arts series (Mainstage, Matinee, Studio/Jazz in the Dawes, Starry Nights), arts education programs (Arts Camp, Beyond the Classroom, ArtsReach, KidsWrites), visual arts exhibitions (Ploch Art Gallery, Permanent Art Collection), annual fundraising events, and venue/space rentals for weddings, meetings, and private events.
Is Wilson Center a public or private company?
Wilson Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Wilson Center founded?
Wilson Center was founded in 2002. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Wilson Center based?
Wilson Center is headquartered in Brookfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does Wilson Center make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, sponsorships, arts Education Programs, space Rentals, special Events and legacy/Planned Giving.
Who are Wilson Center's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Overture Center for the Arts, First Stage, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Pabst Theater Group, Marcus Performing Arts Center and Skylight Music Theatre. Broad incumbents are Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and Kennedy Center. Minnesota Orchestra (Orchestra Hall) is listed as a regional player.
Does Wilson Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wilson Center.
What industry is Wilson Center in?
Wilson Center's product category is Performing Arts Center. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking), with a secondary code of BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs. Its NAICS code is 71 and its SIC code is 7900.