Tacoma Arts Live

What Tacoma Arts Live does

Tacoma Arts Live (TAL) is a 501(c)(3) independent non-profit performing arts organization founded in 1979 and headquartered at the historic Tacoma Armory in Tacoma, Washington. The organization operates a unified portfolio of arts, cultural, and community programs anchored in a 20,000-square-foot venue donated to it in 2022 by the Roberson family. Its core programmatic lines include Theater Northwest (professional regional theater producing 25+ shows since 2009), Live at the Eleanor (an emerging-artist music and performance series running 40+ shows annually), the Lemon Sessions (immersive multidisciplinary performances), the Civil Rights Legacy Tour (an educational touring production that has reached 150,000+ students over 10+ years), the LENS Project (a violence-prevention program serving 475+ youth and 3,500+ family members annually), the Accelerating Creative Enterprise (ACE) small-business incubator for BIPOC and women entrepreneurs, and youth arts education programs including summer camps, after-school classes, and school matinees. The organization also operates unconventional venue programming such as Skate the Armory (roller skating) and rents the Armory's parade floor, Eleanor Roosevelt Room, offices, and studios for events.

The organization's business model combines earned, contributed, and sponsored revenue across five documented streams: ticket sales (Live at the Eleanor tickets at $20, theater tickets ranging $36.75-$72.25, skate sessions at $10), donations and charitable contributions (including monthly giving and planned giving), venue rentals (parade floor from $2,900 for partial / $4,200 for full use, Eleanor Roosevelt Room from $420, with 25% nonprofit discount), education program tuition ($95-$350 sliding scale for camps, $7-$8 matinee tickets for school groups), and corporate sponsorships. Distribution is multi-channel, with an owned online ticketing portal, a phone/email box office, and third-party platforms including Zeffy, Eventbrite, and Square. Marketing relies on the organizational website, social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok), a Constant Contact email newsletter, community partnerships, and earned media. Pricing includes group discounts (10-20% off for groups of 10+), member benefits, and demographic discounts (military, seniors, students, TeenTix at $5).

Since mid-March 2025, Tacoma Arts Live has operated under court-supervised receivership, with Shelly Crocker LLC appointed by the Pierce County Superior Court following a September 2024 leadership change. Programming is scheduled to continue through the end of 2026, with the ACE program facing a funding cliff in June 2026 when its federal appropriation ends. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees (President Lisa Kremer) and led by executives including Chief Engagement Officer Antonio Gómez, Chief Operations Officer Chris Tubig, and CFO Ellie Riehle. Its competitive advantages include a Kennedy Center Partner in Education designation, a 20,000 sq ft unique venue asset, and deep community partnerships across four counties and with military and BIPOC-serving organizations.

Name

Tacoma Arts Live

Legal name

Tacoma Arts Live

Website

https://tacomaartslive.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tacoma Arts Live is a 501(c)(3) non-profit performing arts organization founded in 1979, operating a portfolio of theater, education, and community programs from the historic Tacoma Armory in Tacoma, Washington, currently under court-supervised receivership through 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts and Cultural Programming

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Performing arts programming
• Arts education programs
• Venue rental services
• Community arts center
• Youth theater programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tacoma

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticketed performances, concerts, theater productions, and events at Tacoma Armory and other venues
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals, including monthly giving programs, one-time gifts, and planned giving options
3. Venue Rentals: Rental revenue from the Tacoma Armory facilities including parade floor, Eleanor Roosevelt Room, offices, and studios for events, concerts, weddings, markets, and sports events
4. Education Programs: Revenue from summer camps, after-school programs, classes, and matinee performances for youth and families
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from corporate partners including season champions and event sponsors

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tacoma Arts Live is a 501(c)(3) non-profit performing arts organization that produces and presents live theater, music, dance, and multidisciplinary performances at the historic Tacoma Armory. It also operates youth arts education programs, a touring civil rights education program, and a small business incubator for BIPOC and women creative entrepreneurs, while renting out Armory venues for events.

Product overview

Tacoma Arts Live is a 501(c)(3) non-profit performing arts organization founded in 1979, operating as a unified platform of arts, culture, and community programs centered at the historic Tacoma Armory. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs including Theater Northwest (professional regional theater), Live at the Eleanor (emerging artist music series), the Lemon Sessions (immersive multidisciplinary performances), the Accelerating Creative Enterprise (ACE) small business incubator for BIPOC and women entrepreneurs, the LENS Project (violence prevention through arts), the Civil Rights Legacy Tour (educational touring productions), and comprehensive education programs including youth camps, after-school activities, and education matinees. The organization also operates venue rental services for the Tacoma Armory and hosts community events including Skate the Armory roller skating programs. All ticketing is facilitated through third-party platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LENS Project: Learning Empathy, Negotiation, and Self (LENS) Project is a violence prevention program designed to empower students, families, and service members by building community through creative projects and art-based activities.
• ACE (Accelerating Creative Enterprise)
• Theater Northwest
• Live at the Eleanor
• Lemon Sessions
• Skate the Armory

Products and services

• Live at the Eleanor Recurring music and performing arts series held in the Eleanor Roosevelt Room featuring emerging artists across music, poetry, dance, and more, with full bar and concessions; 40+ shows annually; tickets $20 or free for members.
• Lemon Sessions Immersive multidisciplinary performance series featuring Washington artists collaborating across visual and performing arts disciplines.
• Theater Northwest Professional regional theater program producing live performances for youth and adults; pays all artists; features diverse cultural productions including works from August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle and original plays; 25+ shows produced since 2009.
• Accelerating Creative Enterprise (ACE) Small business incubator supporting BIPOC and women entrepreneurs in creative and cultural economies through free/low-cost workspace, professional development workshops, peer networking, and access to event space at the Tacoma Armory.
• LENS Project Violence prevention program using creative projects and art-based activities to teach positive social skills and build empathy; serves 475+ youth and 3,500+ family members annually through after-school sessions, family events, and military family services.
• Civil Rights Legacy Tour Original touring theatrical productions for K-12 students exploring civil rights history through works about figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Ruby Bridges, Japanese American internment, and immigration rights; reached over 150,000 youth over 10+ years.
• Youth Camps and Classes Theater Conservatory programs for youth ages 4-18 offering professional-level arts experiences including summer camps (e.g., Kids Korner, Performer's Pathway, Let's Skate, Intro to Roller Derby) with sliding-scale tuition, acting workshops, and performing arts training.
• Education Matinees School-day theater performances for the 2025-26 school year featuring productions like Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System and Wind in the Willows; advance tickets $7, regular tickets $8.
• After School Programs Partnership programs with Tacoma Public Schools offering creative self-expression, social growth, and arts-based skill building through art forms including Ballet Folklórico, creative drama, hip hop, step, ukulele, and world drumming.
• Skate the Armory Roller skating events held twice monthly at the Tacoma Armory on the largest flat floor in the PNW; $10 + $1.50 handling fees; skate rentals $5; features Junior Roller Derby programming with Tomorrowland Junior Roller Derby.
• Tacoma Armory Venue Rentals Rental of the historic Tacoma Armory venue spaces including the 20,000-square-foot parade floor (starting at $2,900 partial or $4,200 full), Eleanor Roosevelt Room (starting at $420), flexible studios, and office suites for concerts, galas, expos, graduations, sporting events, and weddings; 25% nonprofit discount available.
• Box Office and Ticketing Services Ticket purchasing services via phone (Thursdays 10am-2pm), email, and online through the owned online ticketing portal and third-party platforms including Eventbrite, Zeffy, and Square; group discounts (10+ save 10%, 15+ save 15%, 20+ save 20%).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150,000 youth reached through Civil Rights Legacy Tour
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pacific Lutheran UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of T-Town Chamber Music Festival at Tacoma Armory, featuring works by composers including Faure and Villa-Lobos
• Tomorrowland Junior Roller DerbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for roller skating programs including Let's Skate Summer Camp, Intro to Roller Derby, Junior Roller Derby Playoffs, and Sunday Open Skate sessions
• Tacoma ButohminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Bebop & Butoh performance event featuring jazz and Butoh dance at Tacoma Armory's Roosevelt Room
• Black Night MarketcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Poetry After Dark and Juneteenth Night Market events; Black Night Market is dedicated to empowering BIPOC entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives
• PNW Dance FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented A Journey to Oz dance performance in partnership with ACE program, supporting inclusive arts opportunities across the Pacific Northwest
• Northwest Playwrights AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Undercover new play readings series spotlighting emerging playwrights with script readings and audience feedback sessions
• Campbell-Loan FamilyminorOthersMajor supporter of the Undercover new play readings series
• Bethel School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLENS Project service location - violence prevention programming in schools
• Tacoma School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLENS Project service location - violence prevention programming in schools
• Franklin Pierce School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLENS Project service location - violence prevention programming in schools
• Clover Park School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLENS Project service location - violence prevention programming in schools; Also partnered for summer camps
• Art Therapy NorthwestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLENS Project partner location for program delivery
• Exceptional Family Member Program, JBLMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLENS Project partner for military family services at Joint Base Lewis-McChord
• Soldier Recovery Unit, JBLMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLENS Project partner for service member support at Joint Base Lewis-McChord
• Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Valley CitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLENS Project partner providing mental health and family support services
• Tacoma Public School's Beyond the Bell and Club BcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfter-school arts programming partnership offering creative self-expression, social growth, and arts-based skill building activities
• Latinx Unidos of South SoundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for neighborhood connections and cultural programming
• Tacoma Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for neighborhood connections and literacy/cultural programming
• All Nations Foundation and Nomad Boxing ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for neighborhood connections and youth programming
• Asia Pacific Cultural CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for neighborhood connections and cultural programming
• Queer IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for neighborhood connections and LGBTQ+ programming
• Rainbow CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for neighborhood connections and LGBTQ+ community support
• TeenTixminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing $5 day-of-show tickets for teenagers (13-19) through free membership program
• John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKennedy Center Partner in Education designation - bringing best theater and learning experiences to students with programs linked to Washington State Learning Requirements

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Seattle Repertory Theatre: Pacific Northwest regional theater producing a season of professional live performances and operating its own venue — directly comparable to TAL's Theater Northwest programming in scale, geography, and audience.
• 5th Avenue Theatre: Seattle-based performing arts presenter with a full season of musical theater productions and active education programs; comparable to TAL in PNW regional presenting plus K-12 matinee offerings.
• ACT Theatre: Seattle-based regional theater producing contemporary and classic plays with strong education and new-play development programs, mirroring Theater Northwest's mix of professional production and emerging-playwright work.
• Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Ashland, OR-based large-scale nonprofit regional theater producing 9+ shows per season with robust education and outreach programming — a same-region nonprofit model of multi-program presenting and school matinees.
• Portland Center Stage: Portland-based regional theater producing a season of professional productions with associated education programs; comparable scale and nonprofit presenting model to TAL.
• Seattle Children's Theatre: SCT runs professional theater for young audiences and an extensive education program across the PNW — directly comparable to TAL's matinees, youth camps, after-school, and Civil Rights Legacy Tour.
• Pacific Northwest Ballet: Seattle-based nonprofit dance company presenting a season of professional performances and school matinees — comparable performing-arts-presenting nonprofit with strong educational outreach.
• Intiman Theatre: Seattle-based nonprofit theater with a civic engagement and equity-focused mission — a strong peer to TAL's DEIA-driven framing and community partnerships (e.g., ACE).

Broad incumbents

• Goodman Theatre: Chicago-based larger nonprofit regional theater with a season of productions and substantial education programming; a broader-incumbent peer illustrating the scaled-up version of TAL's presenting-plus-education model.
• Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Chicago-based larger nonprofit theater with deep education and community engagement programming; a broader-incumbent comparable for TAL's mix of professional theater, school matinees, and community programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TacomaArtsLive
• Instagraminstagram.com/tacomaartslive
• TikToktiktok.com/tag/tacomaartslive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tacoma-arts-live

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Tacoma Arts Live