Washington Performing Arts Society

What Washington Performing Arts Society does

Washington Performing Arts Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts presenter founded in 1966 by Patrick Hayes and headquartered at 1400 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. The organization presents its 61st season (2026/27) of more than 30 performances annually spanning orchestral, recital, piano, jazz, world music, gospel, and dance programming, featuring engagements by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Itzhak Perlman, and the Aga Khan Master Musicians. Programming is delivered across 11+ regional venues including the Music Center at Strathmore, The National Theatre, Kennedy Center, Sixth & I, Lisner Auditorium, Howard University's Cramton Auditorium, DAR Constitution Hall, and the Hopkins Bloomberg Center Theater.

The organization's portfolio combines ticketed subscription series (Orchestra Series, Recitalist Series at $316, Hayes Piano Series at $120), single-ticket sales, group sales for 10+ patrons, and free community programming through Mars Arts D.C. in partnership with Mars, Incorporated. Resident gospel ensembles (Children of the Gospel Choir and Men and Women of the Gospel Choir) are bookable performance assets, and education initiatives include the 50-year Embassy Adoption Program with D.C. Public Schools, Capital Arts Partnership, Concerts in Schools, the Misbin Family Memorial Chamber Music Competition, Enriching Experiences for Seniors, and The World in Our City cultural diplomacy programming. Auxiliary programs include the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Fund and award established in 2021.

Revenue is generated through five diversified streams: subscription and single-ticket sales, individual donations via Friends and Chairman's Circle annual giving plus Legacy Society planned giving, corporate sponsorship (with a 60-year history anchored by Mars, Incorporated), foundation and government grants (D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Dallas Morse Coors Foundation, National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs Program), and gala fundraising (60th anniversary gala alone generated over $680,000 in March 2026). Distribution occurs through the owned online ticketing platform (my.washingtonperformingarts.org), a Patron Services box office, venue partners, and a recently introduced $15 federal worker/contractor ticket program intended to broaden access during federal workforce disruption.

Name

Washington Performing Arts Society

Legal name

Washington Performing Arts Society

Website

https://washingtonperformingarts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Washington Performing Arts Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1966 that presents classical, gospel, jazz, and dance performances in the D.C. metropolitan area, operating subscription series, resident gospel choirs, school-based arts education programs, and the Mars Arts D.C. free concert partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Presentation

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Performing arts presentations
• Classical music concerts
• Arts education programs
• Live concert events
• Gospel choir performances

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockville

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets, subscriptions, and group sales for performances at various venues throughout the D.C. region.
2. Individual Donations: Friends Program and Chairman's Circle annual giving programs, Legacy Society planned giving, and direct donations supporting artistic, gospel music, education, and community programs.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate donor program with 60-year partnership history, including lead sponsorship by Mars, Incorporated through Mars Arts D.C.
4. Gala Events: Annual gala generating significant support; 60th anniversary gala raised over $680,000.
5. Foundation & Government Grants: Support from Dallas Morse Coors Foundation, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs Program, and other foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Washington Performing Arts Society is a nonprofit performing arts presenter that produces and presents live concerts, recitals, orchestral performances, dance productions, and gospel choir performances across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The organization operates subscription concert series (Orchestra Series, Recitalist Series, Hayes Piano Series), runs resident gospel choirs, delivers community arts education programs, and partners with corporations and foundations to fund free community concerts.

Product overview

Washington Performing Arts Society is a performing arts presenting organization offering a diverse portfolio of programs including gospel music programs (Children of the Gospel Choir, Men and Women of the Gospel Choir), education initiatives (Embassy Adoption Program, Capital Arts Partnership, Concerts in Schools), and performance series (Recitalist Series, Hayes Piano Series, Orchestra Series, Mars Arts D.C. free concert series). The organization operates as a unified presenting entity rather than a software product, offering ticketing services, venue partnerships, and community arts programming across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mars Arts D.C. A partnership between Mars, Incorporated and Washington Performing Arts, offering free programs and community outreach.
• Children of the Gospel Choir
• Men and Women of the Gospel Choir

Products and services

• Orchestra Series Symphonic concert series featuring world-class orchestras including Boston Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, performed at The Music Center at Strathmore. Aimed at classical music patrons subscribing annually.
• Recitalist Series Concert series featuring world-renowned soloists and emerging artists performing at Sixth & I and Church of the Epiphany venues, including the annual Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Recital. Designed for chamber and recital music enthusiasts.
• Hayes Piano Series Early-career pianist series presented at Hopkins Bloomberg Center Theater in cooperation with the Peabody Institute, showcasing emerging piano talent. Targeted at classical music enthusiasts interested in rising artists.
• Mars Arts D.C. Free concert series presented in partnership with Mars, Incorporated, featuring performances at venues including Songbyrd Music House and Tregaron Conservancy. Targeted at the broader D.C. community to expand access to performing arts.
• Gospel Music Programs Resident gospel choirs including the Children of the Gospel Choir and Men and Women of the Gospel Choir, offering live gospel music performances, community concerts, and choir booking services for events.
• Education Programs Arts education initiatives including the Embassy Adoption Program (50-year partnership with D.C. Public Schools), Capital Arts Partnership, Concerts in Schools, the Misbin Family Memorial Chamber Music Competition, Enriching Experiences for Seniors, and The World in Our City cultural diplomacy programs. Targeted at D.C. public school students, senior communities, and international audiences.
• Group Sales Group reservations for 10 or more seats with dedicated patron services support, available to corporate, school, and community groups attending performances.
• Season Tickets & Subscriptions Annual subscription packages providing access to 30+ performances in the season including classical, jazz, world music, and dance presentations across all subscription series. Targeted at regular concert-going patrons.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of students served annually through education programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Dance Theatre of HarlemflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner50-year collaboration history with co-production of Firebird at The National Theatre. Exclusive D.C. engagement marking the company's iconic work revived for the 2026/27 season.
• Music Center at StrathmorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenting partner for multiple major performances including Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Boston Symphony Orchestra. Primary venue for orchestral series.
• Young Concert ArtistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenting partner for Recitalist Series performances featuring emerging artists including Estel Vivó Casanovas and Paul Huang.
• The Choral Arts Society of WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Living the Dream … Singing the Dream, annual choral tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. featuring combined gospel choirs.
• Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Twincussion performance presenting Taiwanese cultural programming and folk traditions.
• Coalition of African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Our Song, Our Story honoring Marian Anderson and Jessye Norman, created and directed by Damien Sneed.
• Mosaic TheaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill production with 50% discount for Washington Performing Arts audiences.
• District RagaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for Ravi Shankar Ensemble presentation in partnership with Strathmore.
• Peabody InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for Hayes Piano Series presented at Hopkins Bloomberg Center Theater.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Carnegie Hall: Independent nonprofit performing arts presenter in New York City offering orchestral, recital, and educational programming for the public, with a comparable subscription and presenter model to Washington Performing Arts.
• 92nd Street Y (92NY): New York cultural institution presenting classical concerts, talks, and educational programming with ticketed series, subscription offerings, and strong community education programs — directly comparable presenter model.
• Cal Performances (UC Berkeley): University-affiliated presenter bringing world-class music, dance, and theater to the Bay Area with a season subscription structure and educational outreach — parallel presenter/season format.
• Celebrity Series of Boston: Boston-based nonprofit performing arts presenter that curates and presents dance, music, and spoken-word performances in multiple venues — closely analogous presenting mission and scale.

Others

• Philadelphia Orchestra: Major U.S. symphony orchestra that tours nationally and is part of the same presenter/orchestra ecosystem in which WPA operates its Orchestra Series — a typical touring partner rather than direct competitor.
• Boston Symphony Orchestra: Resident Boston-based orchestra that tours to D.C. as a featured guest of WPA's Orchestra Series at Strathmore; supplier of premium content rather than direct presenter competitor.

Emerging players

• Dance Theatre of Harlem: Touring dance company with 50+ year presenting relationship with WPA; a key content supplier via co-productions like Firebird at the National Theatre rather than a direct competitor.
• Choral Arts Society of Washington: D.C.-based choral presenting partner with co-presentation activities (e.g., the MLK tribute) that overlap with Washington's gospel music and choral programs.

Broad incumbents

• John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: National performing arts center in Washington, D.C., presenting broad programming across multiple genres; competes for similar audiences and touring artists, and is one of WPA's venue partners.
• Music Center at Strathmore: D.C.-area presenting venue and partner organization that co-presents many concerts with Washington Performing Arts; operates on a larger venue-driven model but shares programming and audience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCt-jVnb1EwNMX9OqhVGGg3w
• Xx.com/washperformarts
• Facebookfacebook.com/washingtonperformingartssociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Washington Performing Arts Society