Village Center for the Arts

What Village Center for the Arts does

Village Center for the Arts (VCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art education center headquartered in New Milford, Connecticut, operating from a restored 1830s building at 12 Main Street with a dedicated pottery studio at 5 Church Street. Founded in 2000 by Jayson Roberts and Sharon Kaufman as a drama program for the founder's daughters, the organization has evolved into a multi-discipline fine arts provider delivering instruction in pottery, ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, cartooning, and mixed media to children, adults, and seniors ages 3+.

The organization generates revenue through a diversified portfolio of fee-based programming: after-school and weekend classes (six-week sessions at roughly $220), week-long summer camps at $250-$750 per week, walk-in Open Studio access, themed birthday parties, pottery wheel rental and instruction, adult date-night workshops (Dirty Date Night, Women Wine & Wheel), and an on-site art supplies and merchandise store (including VCA Art Wear and ceramic gift certificates). Pricing is predominantly per-session or unit-based, with no subscription or licensing model. Distribution is exclusively physical: customers register by phone, email, or PDF form and attend in person. There is no proprietary technology platform, mobile app, or API; the technology stack is limited to a Wix-hosted website and standard payment integrations (PayPal, Venmo).

VCA supplements fee revenue with donations (through PayPal, Venmo, and Amazon Wish List), grants from regional funders (Connecticut Community Foundation, United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut, CT Department of Economic and Community Development), and a tuition-assistance partnership with Kids First MVPSOS. Marketing is community-led and event-driven, relying on word-of-mouth, an active presence across 8+ social platforms, monthly Studio Affair community events, and membership in five local civic and arts associations. The organization is governed by a board of directors chaired by Ben Grinnell and employs a small staff (1-10) supplemented by volunteer labor, including a senior instructor with 32 years of teaching experience.

Name

Village Center for the Arts

Legal name

Village Center for the Arts

Website

https://villagecenterarts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Village Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art education center in New Milford, CT that offers pottery, ceramics, drawing, painting, and mixed-media classes, summer camps, and Open Studio access to children, adults, and seniors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Art Education Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAHAD

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYTHAJAKAA

Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Workshops & Classes (Arts, Crafts, Skills & Local Lessons)

SECONDARYEDAMALAH

Arts & Design Camps (Visual Arts, Crafts, Design Thinking)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)

SECONDARYBPAGAHAC

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAAAEAG

Personal Enrichment & Creative Arts Programs

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Continuing Education (Noncredit) & Lifelong Learning Programs

SECONDARYEDAAAMAI

Arts, Culture & Creative Learning for Seniors (Music, writing, crafts)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Adult Learning for Seniors (Third Age / Lifelong Learning Institutes)

Keywords

• Art education classes
• Pottery wheel lessons
• Summer art camps
• Ceramics and painting
• Creative arts center

Headquarters

HQ city

New Milford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Class Registration Fees: Revenue from after-school classes, adult classes, and weekend workshops in drawing, clay sculpture, cartooning, pottery wheel, and mixed media. Classes run in 6-week sessions.
2. Summer Camp Programs: Half-day camps for ages 3-6 at $250/week and full-day camps for ages 7-16 ranging from $425-$750/week. Includes specialty camps for face painting, pottery, mosaic, anime, video games, and Harry Potter themes.
3. Birthday Parties and Private Events: Arty themed birthday parties offering ceramics, wood crafts, keepsake boxes, tie dye, and splatter painting. Also offers group pottery sessions.
4. Open Studio Fees: Walk-in studio access at $12/person plus supply costs for new projects, $6 return fee. Pottery wheel rental at $9/hour plus clay and firing fees.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Accepts donations via PayPal, Venmo (@villagecenterarts), and Amazon Wish List. Tax-deductible as 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Hosts fundraising events.
6. Merchandise Sales: Art gift certificates in customizable dollar amounts (made of ceramic), VCA Art Wear clothing, and art supplies available in-store.
7. Volunteer and Community Support: Receives volunteer support (interns age 12+) and community service contributions. Ongoing support from Department of Economic Community Development, United Way, and private family foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Village Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit walk-in creative center that delivers in-person fine art education programs for all ages, including after-school classes, adult classes, summer camps, weekend workshops, and Open Studio access. Core instruction spans pottery wheel, ceramics, sculpture, drawing, cartooning, painting, and mixed media, with supplies, equipment, and tuition assistance provided. The organization also hosts birthday parties, gallery exhibitions, community events, and an on-site art supply store.

Product overview

Village Center for the Arts (VCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art center offering a comprehensive portfolio of in-person educational art programs and creative experiences. The core offerings center on structured classes and workshops across multiple disciplines including pottery/ceramics, drawing, sculpture, cartooning, mixed media, and painting, delivered through flexible formats: after-school programs for children, adult classes, weekend workshops, and summer camps. VCA operates an Open Studio model allowing walk-in creativity with fee-based access to supplies and equipment. Additional revenue streams include birthday party hosting, an on-site art supply store, branded merchandise (VCA Art Wear), and gift certificates. Community engagement programs include the New Milford Barn Quilt Trail, The Unexpected Artist free homework assistance, monthly Studio Affair events, and rotating gallery exhibitions. The organization serves ages 3 and up with a mission-focused tuition assistance program in partnership with MVPSOS. Founded in 2000 and located in a historic 1830s building, VCA employs professionally educated working artists as instructors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Children's After-School Art Classes After-school art classes for ages 5-17 in Drawing, Clay Sculpture, Cartooning, Pottery Wheel, Mud Puppies, and Mixed Media, run as 6-week sessions at $220 per session. Intended for school-age children seeking structured creative enrichment.
• Adult Art Classes Art classes and programs for adults including pottery wheel lessons, clay hand-building, Senior Clay 60+ workshops, oil painting, and special date-night themed pottery classes. Intended for adults and seniors seeking creative expression and skill development.
• Summer Art Camps Week-long creative arts camps for children including Half-Day camps (ages 3-6 at $250/week) and Full-Day specialty camps (ages 7-16, $425-$750/week) with themes such as Face Painting, Pottery Wheel, Hand-building, Mosaic, Mixed Media, Anime, Harry Potter, and Video Game Camp. Intended for school-age children during summer break.
• Open Studio Walk-in creative space available during all operating hours where visitors can paint ceramics, create wood sculptures, work with beads, and build with kiln-fired clay. Studio fee $12 for new projects plus supply costs; $6 return fee within 30 days. Intended for walk-in visitors of all ages.
• Pottery Wheel Program Comprehensive pottery instruction including private lessons, wheel rental at $9/hour plus studio fee, clay hand-building classes ($139 per 3-week session), Women/Wine & Wheel couples courses ($129), and group or corporate team-building sessions. Intended for individuals, couples, friends, and groups seeking pottery experience.
• Arty Birthday Parties Two-hour themed creative birthday parties for children offering Supercool Ceramics, Wood Crafts, Custom Keepsake Boxes, Tie Dye, and Splatter Painting options. Intended for families hosting children's birthday celebrations.
• Weekend Classes Saturday clay sculpture classes for ages 9-18 ($139 per 10-week session) and Clay Play sessions for all ages, taught by nationally recognized instructors. Intended for youth and families seeking weekend creative instruction.
• Seasonal Workshops Seasonal workshops including Jewelry Making, Card Making, and 3-D Printing for various skill levels and group sessions. Intended for individuals and groups seeking short-format creative instruction.
• Community Artistic Services Community services including mural painting, ceramic restoration and repair, face painting at events, and participation in local festivals. Intended for municipalities, schools, and community organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 volunteer hours contributed by single volunteer (Leslie Bohorquez)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 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

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• New Milford BusinessminorOthersLocal business association membership providing networking and community visibility for the art center.
• Cultural AllianceminorOthersRegional arts and culture organization membership supporting arts programming.
• Northwest Arts Consortium (NWAC)minorOthersRegional arts consortium membership for collaborative arts programming in Northwest Connecticut.
• Greater New Milford Chamber of CommerceminorOthersChamber of commerce membership for local business community integration.
• Connecticut Department of Economic and Community DevelopmentcoreOthersState agency providing funding and support for community development and arts programs. Ongoing program support including Unexpected Artist initiative.
• United Way of Coastal and Western ConnecticutcoreOthersNonprofit funding partner supporting ongoing programs including Open Studio and community arts initiatives.
• Kids First MVPSOScoreOthersScholarship program partner providing financial assistance for children in New Milford and surrounding towns for sports, music, arts, and education. Over 20 years of operation.
• Connecticut Community FoundationcoreOthersFoundation funding partner supporting Senior Clay 60+ program and other community arts initiatives.
• EWOW (Education Without Obstacles Worldwide)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent ceramics exhibition collaboration 'Vision of Shadow & Light' showcasing student ceramic work.
• Thrift Mart of New MilfordminorOthersLocal thrift store supporting Senior Clay 60+ program funding.
• Amazon Wish ListminorOthersAmazon wish list registry for receiving donated art supplies and materials.
• New Milford Trust for Historic PreservationminorOthersHistoric preservation organization that supported VCA's move into the landmark 1830s building.
• New Milford Farmland PreservationminorOthersOrganization managing the New Milford Barn Quilt Trail - most quilt patterns painted by VCA artists.
• Stop and ShopminorOthersSupporting sponsor of VCA through community giving programs.
• WalmartminorOthersCorporate sponsor supporting community arts programs.
• United Savings BankminorOthersLocal bank sponsor supporting VCA programs.
• Rotary Club of New MilfordminorOthersService club sponsor supporting community arts initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights10 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vca_art
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXF_3ZEIfs66LyfaGcMCUIQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/www.villagecenterarts.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/village-center-for-the-arts-inc/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/villagecenterarts
• TikToktiktok.com/@vcanewmilfordct?lang=en
• Pinterestpinterest.com/VCA_art/_created

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Village Center for the Arts