What Ravenswood Studio does

Ravenswood Studio, Inc. is a privately held custom fabrication company founded in 1988 and headquartered in Lincolnwood, Illinois, operating from a 100,000 square foot facility with over 90 skilled craftspeople. The company designs and fabricates permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibits, immersive themed environments, theatrical and film scenery, playspaces, and corporate brand experiences for museums, cultural institutions, Fortune 500 corporations, and themed entertainment venues. Its in-house technology stack spans carpentry, metalworking, scenic painting, sculpting, mechanical and electromechanical interactives, an in-house electronics team producing custom printed circuit boards and sensor-driven control systems (including the proprietary Graybox AV integration platform), 3D printing, large-format EcoSolvent and UV flatbed graphic production, and modular crating systems engineered for repeated exhibit assembly, transport, and reinstallation. Ravenswood delivers end-to-end turnkey services from design assist and pre-construction through fabrication, installation, and project management under a single roof, differentiating against fragmented competitors that must subcontract multiple trades.

The business operates on a project-based professional services revenue model with no recurring SaaS or product revenue. Pricing is custom per project based on scope, materials, complexity, and timeline; customers initiate engagement through a project request form on the company website. Customer segments include museums and cultural institutions (e.g., Smithsonian NMAAHC, Carnegie Science Center, Field Museum, Museum of Science Boston), corporate and promotional clients (e.g., Microsoft, Harley-Davidson, ComEd, Xylem, Make-A-Wish), and themed entertainment operators (e.g., Wish House, Color Factory). Go-to-market is sales-led via a portfolio-driven website, content marketing through the Shop Notes blog, organic social (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Vimeo), and inbound referrals from a network of established exhibition design firms (Evidence Design, Luci Creative, MASS Design Group, Gallagher and Associates, Blue Rhino Design, XL Scenic).

Ownership is closely held under President and Owner Michael Shapiro, with a leadership bench including COO Mark Ewing, CFO Joe Macaluso, and four Directors overseeing Production, Operations, Business Development, and Finance. The firm has no public funding history, no disclosed institutional investors, no parent company, and no M&A activity, operating as an independent craft-driven enterprise for over three decades. Its award profile (THEA, Blooloop Innovation, Cannes Lions, D&AD, IPA, San Francisco Design Week) and blue-chip client roster indicate sustained category leadership in custom exhibit fabrication.

Name

Ravenswood Studio

Legal name

Ravenswood Studio, Inc.

Website

https://ravenswoodstudio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ravenswood Studio is a 1988-founded, Lincolnwood IL-based custom fabrication firm with 90+ craftspeople operating from a 100,000 SF facility, designing and building permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibits, immersive themed environments, playspaces, and corporate experiences for museums, Fortune 500 corporations, and cultural institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork Manufacturing (337212)

SIC

Millwood, Veneer, Plywood, & Structural Wood Members (2430)

akta.pro primary industry

Scenic Fabrication & Set/Stage Carpentry (MPAGAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Set Construction Shops & Millwork Facilities (MPADAIAE), Joinery, Millwork & Casework Installation (Cabinetry, Built-Ins) (IMAFANAJ)

Keywords

• Custom exhibit fabrication
• Museum exhibit production
• Themed entertainment builds
• Traveling exhibition fabrication
• Scenic and set fabrication

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincolnwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Custom Fabrication Projects: Project-based custom fabrication services for museums, cultural institutions, corporate clients, themed entertainment, and theater. Services include design assist, fabrication, installation, and project management. Revenue is generated through one-time project contracts rather than recurring revenue.
2. Turnkey Fabrication Services: Full-service fabrication including custom scenic fabrication, mechanical interactive development, graphic production and printing, and installation services under one roof

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ravenswood Studio is a custom fabrication company that designs, builds, and installs exhibits, scenery, and sets for museums, cultural institutions, themed entertainment venues, corporations, and theater/opera/film productions. Operating from a 100,000-square-foot facility with 90+ craftspeople, it delivers end-to-end services spanning design assist, fabrication, installation, and project management under one roof.

Product overview

Ravenswood Studio is a custom fabrication company offering a single unified service portfolio focused on physical exhibit and experience fabrication. The core offerings span Museums & Cultural Exhibits, Themed Experiences, Traveling Experiences, Playspaces, and Corporate & Promotional Exhibits. These are supported by interconnected service modules including Turnkey Cultural Exhibits, Mechanical Exhibits, Digital Interactive Exhibits, Interpretive Exhibits, Experiential Environments, Sculptural Features, Specialty Millwork, Signage & Graphics, Theatrical Sets, Corporate Events & Exhibits, Visitor Centers, Special Events & Pop-Ups, Prototyping & Testing, 3D Printing, and Electronics, Mechanics & Automation. The company operates from a 100,000-square-foot fabrication facility with over 90 employees, providing end-to-end capabilities from design assist and pre-construction through fabrication, installation, and shipping.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,200 scenic elements fabricated for single traveling exhibitions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Evidence DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibition design firm for Life! Beginnings project at Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Evidence Design led exhibition design while Ravenswood handled fabrication.
• Focus LightingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLighting design partner for Life! Beginnings exhibit providing specialized lighting design services.
• IdeumsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInteractives producer for Life! Beginnings, providing interactive exhibit components.
• National Museum of African American History & CulturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner of In Slavery's Wake traveling exhibition. The Smithsonian Institution and museum partners host this location-based experience internationally through 2028.
• Luci CreativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign firm partner for Mars: The Next Giant Leap exhibit at Carnegie Science Center. Luci Creative has worked on multiple projects with Ravenswood.
• Blue Rhino DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign firm partnered on Health Connections exhibit at Museum of Science and Curiosity. Also working on Asian Cultural Series exhibits.
• Trivium InteractivessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInteractive development partner collaborating with Ravenswood on Health Connections exhibit.
• SKOLNnick Architecture + Design PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture and design firm for BodyWorks exhibit at Children's Museum of Virginia.
• Burns & McDonnellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture/engineering firm partnering with Raytown Challenge Gifted Program on Battle of the Brains competition exhibits including Riveting Robots.
• Click NetherfieldsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCase manufacturer providing Portal System doors incorporated into custom casework for National Music Museum.
• Leo RoversupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for Mars exhibit - developed rover interactives for Search for Life zone using foam-carved landscapes.
• Art Institute of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient and design partner for Hartwell Memorial Window installation. Ravenswood created complex steel framing and backlighting for 26ft by 18ft Tiffany display.
• Kansas City Science CitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreator of Light Lab exhibit - latest winner of Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains competition.
• Forest Preserve District of Will CountysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Four Rivers at The Confluence exhibit at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center.
• Amy Reichert DesignsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner for National Public Housing Museum - museum honoring lives of public housing residents.
• Kearney Convention BureausupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Kearney Welcome Center - exhibit showcasing local businesses, wildlife, and Sandhill Crane migration.
• MASS Design GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner of Gun Violence Memorial Project traveling exhibit seeking to address America's gun violence epidemic.
• Gallagher and AssociatessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign firm partner for Take A Stand exhibit at Illinois Holocaust Museum.
• XL SceniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign firm for Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition traveling exhibit and Victoria the T. rex Exhibition.
• Museum of Science BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient and designer for The Science Behind Pixar traveling exhibition - one of the most popular exhibits in museum's history.
• Leo Burnett Worldwide Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning agency partner for Van Gogh Bedroom AirBNB and other Art Institute promotions. Multiple long-term projects.
• NassalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFabrication lead partner for WishWorks project - THEA Award winning immersive wish-discovery experience.
• Cunningham GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture/design firm for Jules Verne Themed Office and Si-Fi Rocket projects at software company campus.
• Wish House / Finker-FrenkelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for WishWorks immersive experience in Miami - created by former Disney Imagineers.
• Museum of MoneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for MoMoney: The Ultimate Money Experience in Dallas, Texas - immersive museum about financial literacy.
• Color FactorysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner for Color Factory Chicago - interactive art museum installation at Willis Tower.
• JH FindorffsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partner for Jules Verne Themed Office and Si-Fi Rocket projects.
• Microsoft CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term client (10+ years) for custom Envisioning Centers across the globe. Ravenswood creates permanent presentation stages with complex lighting and multi-touch surfaces.
• John B. Sanfilippo & SonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Corporate Heritage Exhibit at headquarters showcasing company's history and global reach.
• ComEdsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility company client for Powering Lives community center exhibit about clean energy.
• XylemsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater technology company client for Reservoir Center for Water Solutions in Washington DC.
• Ozarks Technical Community CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Emerson Innovation Discovery Lab focused on manufacturing education.
• MillikensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for annual NeoCon Show Room fabrication at Chicago Merchandise Mart.
• Fetzer InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Awaken into Spirit Experience - 1,000 sq ft exhibit sharing the Institute's story and spiritual mission.
• Children's Discovery Museum (Normal, IL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term client for Healthy Me, From the Farm to a Healthy Me exhibits. Multiple projects expanding museum experiences.
• Spokane County Library DistrictsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for educational playspaces across six library branches with regionally themed designs.
• Museum of Discovery (Little Rock)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Small Fry Fish Camp exhibit with mechanical and digital interactives.
• National Children's MuseumsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Curiosity Runway playspace near Reagan National Airport featuring airplane-themed play structures.
• Make-A-Wish AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable partner for WishWorks - immersive wish experience for Wish Kids.

Scale indicators5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nassal: Major U.S. scenic fabricator specializing in museums, theme parks, and themed entertainment exhibits. Co-fabrication partner with Ravenswood on the THEA Award-winning WishWorks project and the most directly comparable competitor by capability, scale, and client mix.
• Design and Production Incorporated: Virginia-based exhibit fabrication firm serving museums, visitor centers, and corporate clients with custom casework, interactives, and full museum installations. Directly competes with Ravenswood for Smithsonian-class museum fabrication contracts.
• Exhibit Concepts Inc: Ohio-headquartered exhibit design-build firm producing custom museum, retail, and corporate environments with in-house fabrication, graphics, and interactive integration. Overlaps with Ravenswood on museum fabrication and corporate briefing centers.
• Cinnabar: Las Vegas-based scenic fabrication shop serving themed entertainment, museums, and immersive attractions. Comparable in custom scenic and millwork capabilities for large-format, high-finish themed projects.
• Kubik Maltbie: North American exhibit fabrication firm with museum, corporate, and retail specializations. Direct competitor for permanent and traveling exhibits with similar full-service fabrication model.
• Pratt Display (Pratt Institute): Custom exhibit fabrication firm serving museums, visitor centers, and trade shows with custom cabinetry, graphics, and interactives. Direct overlap in museum casework and graphic production.
• XTRA Large Scenic Studios: Scenic fabrication studio producing large-scale sets for theater, film, themed entertainment, and live events. Direct peer on theatrical and film scenic fabrication.

Broad incumbents

• Global Experience Specialists (GES): Large-scale experiential services firm with exhibit fabrication, event production, and trade show capabilities. Larger and broader than Ravenswood but overlaps on corporate exhibits, brand activations, and event fabrication.

Emerging players

• Heimtextil / Studio Proper (thinkBrilliant): Boutique fabrication and design-build firm focused on brand activations, pop-ups, and immersive retail experiences. Comparable on the corporate/promotional side of Ravenswood's portfolio at a smaller scale.
• Ideum: Interactive exhibit producer specializing in touchscreen tables, AV interactives, and integrated media for museums and cultural institutions. Collaborates with Ravenswood on projects and competes for the interactive component of museum exhibits.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user199959975
• Facebookfacebook.com/RavenswoodStudio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ravenswood-studio-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/ravenswood_studio_inc/?hl=en
• Xx.com/ravenswoodfab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Ravenswood Studio