Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at Long Island University

What Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at Long Island University does

Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at Long Island University is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) performing arts venue located on the LIU Post campus in Brookville, New York. Originally constructed in 1981 after the 1978 collapse of the original 3,500-seat Dome theater, the center now operates a 2,188-seat Concert Hall and a 506-seat Krasnoff Theater (renovated in 2018), plus the Goldsmith Atrium, Founders Room, and outdoor plazas. It presents 50+ world-class performances annually across music, dance, theater, comedy, and family programming, attracting 150,000+ visitors per year, and operates a comprehensive arts education division serving tens of thousands of K-12 students, LIU students, seniors, and sensory-friendly audiences.

The venue's underlying technology stack is conventional: Steinway pianos, a professionally engineered Concert Hall with no seat more than 125 feet from the stage, state-of-the-art sound and projection in the Krasnoff Theater, and commercial software integrations including Ticketmaster for online ticketing, Constant Contact for email marketing, GiveSmart for fundraising and membership management, and Wufoo for venue-rental inquiries. No proprietary software or AI/ML capabilities are evident.

Revenue is generated through five streams: ticket sales (single, subscription, and group), a seven-tier membership program ranging from $100 (Member) to $10,000 (Benefactor), corporate sponsorships (Catholic Health as Season Sponsor, Capital One as Season Supporter), individual donations, and venue rentals (past renters include NBC Universal, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and Live Nation). Ticket sales cover less than half of operating expenses, making the organization structurally dependent on philanthropic contributions and corporate support. The parent entity is Long Island University, and the operation is led by Executive and Artistic Director Tom Dunn with a management team of approximately 16 staff.

Name

Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at Long Island University

Legal name

Long Island University (Tilles Center for the Performing Arts)

Website

https://tillescenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Tilles Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) venue at Long Island University in Brookville, NY, operating a 2,188-seat Concert Hall and 506-seat Krasnoff Theater. It presents 50+ performances annually for 150,000+ visitors and runs extensive arts education programs for K-12, university, and community audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Concert hall rentals
• Arts education programs
• Corporate sponsorship events
• Membership donor program

Headquarters

HQ city

Brookville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets, subscriptions, and group sales for performances across the Concert Hall (2,188 seats) and Krasnoff Theater (506 seats). Tantleff Box Office handles in-person and phone sales; Ticketmaster handles online sales with additional fees.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership program with tiers from $100 (Member) to $10,000 (Benefactor), offering presale access, concessions discounts, donor recognition, and exclusive events.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partnership opportunities providing brand affiliation, exposure, VIP access, and employee benefits in exchange for sponsorship support reaching 150,000+ annual audience members.
4. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible contributions to support world-class performances and arts education programs. Part of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
5. Venue Rentals: Rental revenue from the Concert Hall, Krasnoff Theater, Goldsmith Atrium, and additional spaces for corporate events, film shoots, commencement ceremonies, and private functions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tilles Center for the Performing Arts presents world-class live performances across music, dance, Broadway, jazz, comedy, and family programming in its 2,188-seat Concert Hall and 506-seat Krasnoff Theater on the LIU Post campus in Brookville, NY. Beyond presenting performances, it operates an integrated arts education division serving tens of thousands of K-12 students and community members annually, complemented by venue rental, tiered membership, corporate sponsorship, and philanthropic fundraising programs.

Product overview

Tilles Center for the Performing Arts is Long Island's premier performing arts venue operated by Long Island University, offering a multi-venue complex centered around the 2,188-seat Concert Hall and 506-seat Krasnoff Theater, plus additional rental spaces including the Goldsmith Atrium and outdoor plazas. The organization provides world-class live entertainment across all genres including music, dance, comedy, theater, and cultural programming, hosting over 50 performances annually and welcoming 150,000 visitors each year. Beyond presenting performances, Tilles Center operates a comprehensive arts education division offering student matinees, school partnerships, sensory-friendly programs, community master classes, and an Artist-in-Residence program in partnership with LIU. The venue also offers membership tiers, corporate sponsorship opportunities, venue rentals, and planned giving programs. The facility serves as both a cultural center and an educational resource for the Long Island community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Concert Hall A 2,188-seat concert hall with impeccable acoustics and a professional sound system, hosting orchestral performances, Broadway tours, ballets, rock concerts, and film/TV shoots for audiences and renters.
• Krasnoff Theater A 506-seat intimate theater for chamber music, lectures, small ensembles, solo recitals, and smaller-scale performances.
• Membership Program Tiered annual membership program with seven levels ($100 Member to $10,000 Benefactor) offering presale access, concessions discounts, Arts Insider access, priority ticket locations, donor lounge access, waived exchange and convenience fees, and artist meet-and-greet opportunities.
• Corporate Sponsorship Customized corporate partnership opportunities providing brand affiliation, audience exposure to 150,000+ annual visitors, client entertainment, employee benefits, and volunteer opportunities.
• Venue Rentals Rental of the Concert Hall, Krasnoff Theater, Goldsmith Atrium, Founders Room, Patrons Lounge, and outdoor plazas (Castagna and Monter) for corporate events, film and TV production shoots, commencement ceremonies, and private functions.
• Name a Seat Campaign Seat dedication program allowing individuals, families, or businesses to name seats in the Concert Hall and Krasnoff Theater in honor or memory of loved ones; proceeds support the Capital Improvement Fund.
• Encore Society (Planned Giving) Legacy recognition program for donors who include Tilles Center in their estate plans, supporting long-term financial stability and artistic excellence.
• Annual Gala Annual fundraising event featuring dinner, a concert performance, and recognition of community honorees; proceeds support Tilles Center's mission and arts education programs.
• Curtains Up! Student Matinees Weekday matinee performances designed for K-12 school field trips, providing curriculum-aligned arts experiences for students.
• School Partnerships Long-term school partnerships providing ongoing arts education, artist residencies, and performance opportunities including the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival.
• TEN for TEENS Discounted Tickets Discount ticket program offering $10 tickets to performances for middle and high school students ages 13-19, with up to 4 tickets per student per show.
• Sensory Friendly Programs Accessible Sensory Immersion Experiences and Relaxed Performances for audiences on the autism spectrum and those with limited movement, sensory, and communication needs, including inclusive workshops.
• Arts Education Programs Comprehensive arts education serving tens of thousands annually, including weekday matinees, in-school residencies, family workshops, dance classes for Parkinson's patients, community master classes, and LIU campus connections.
• Artist-in-Residence Program Extended professional artist residencies on the LIU campus working with students, including partnerships with Martha Graham Dance Company, Jacob's Pillow Dance, The Knights orchestra, and Pilobolus.
• Speaker Series Thought-leadership programming featuring prominent speakers across arts, culture, global issues, and entertainment; past speakers include former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Yo-Yo Ma.
• Tilles Jazz Fest Annual jazz festival presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, featuring world-class jazz performances across multiple stages, family-friendly programming, and educational workshops.

Quantifiable outcome

• 150,000 visitors annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Live NationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2025Co-presents Derek Hough - Symphony of Dance: Encore performance at Tilles Center in July 2026.
• ForeignercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2025Groundbreaking collaboration to develop and stage the world premiere production of Feels Like The First Time - The Foreigner Musical. The legendary rock band partnered with Tilles Center and LIU Post Theatre Company for musical development, with Tony-nominated Adam Pascal directing.
• Long Island University Post Theatre CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2025LIU's theater company collaborates with Tilles Center on theatrical productions including Feels Like The First Time - The Foreigner Musical. The production features primarily LIU students alongside select professional actors.
• Jazz at Lincoln CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2025Annual collaboration presenting Tilles Jazz Fest on the LIU Post campus. Jazz at Lincoln Center provides programming expertise and artist curation for the multi-stage jazz festival featuring world-class jazz performances. The partnership has produced Tilles Jazz Fest 2025 and 2026.
• Elite Entertainment Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presents Diana Ross: Diana in Motion Tour at Tilles Center in August 2026.
• SSK Music PresentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresents The Buena Vista Orchestra at Tilles Jazz Fest 2026, continuing the legacy of the Buena Vista Social Club project.
• Bindu Kohli EntertainmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresents Vishal and Sheyhar: The Superhit Tour at Tilles Center in August 2026.
• Catholic HealthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeason Sponsor for 2025/26 season. Catholic Health is a major healthcare provider on Long Island providing critical operating support in exchange for brand recognition and affiliation with Tilles Center's programming.
• Capital OnemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeason Supporter for 2025/26 season. Capital One provides sponsorship support for Tilles Center's annual programming.
• Sandy and Eric KrasnoffmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransformative donors who funded Krasnoff Theater renovation and expansion in 2018. The Krasnoff Theater is named in their honor. Also Series Sponsors and major supporters.
• Dolores and Herbert GoldsmithmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor donors to Capital Improvement Fund. Goldsmith Atrium named in their honor.
• Judith and Irwin TantleffmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor donors to Capital Improvement Fund. Tantleff Box Office named in their honor.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC): Mid-Atlantic nonprofit performing arts center operating multiple venues for music, dance, theater, and comedy. Closely comparable to Tilles in scale, multi-venue operating model, educational programming, and reliance on corporate sponsorships, memberships, and philanthropic funding.
• Town Hall (New York City): Mid-size NYC nonprofit presenting venue for music, dance, and spoken-word programming. Comparable presenting operations, subscription model, and donor-supported operating structure.
• Segerstrom Center for the Arts: Multi-venue nonprofit performing arts center in Costa Mesa, CA. Comparable scale, multi-format programming (Broadway, jazz, dance, classical), corporate sponsorship model, and education/community programming structure.
• Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts: Large nonprofit performing arts center in Miami with comparable programming mix, education programs, tiered memberships, corporate sponsorship packages, and venue rental revenue streams.
• Kaufmann Music Center: NYC-based nonprofit performing arts center with a similar classical/jazz/educational orientation. Comparable venue size and reliance on donations and ticket sales for a multi-format programming model.
• Staller Center for the Arts (Stony Brook University): University-affiliated performing arts venue on Long Island. Highly comparable regional peer with similar presenter/booking model, education programs, and audience demographic on Long Island.
• Wharton Center (Michigan State University): University-affiliated presenting arts organization with comparable educational mission, multi-venue operations, Broadway and touring programming, and student engagement model.

Broad incumbents

• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: Large, established NYC presenting and producing complex for classical, jazz, theater, and dance. Overlaps with Tilles on programming categories and corporate sponsorship audience, but operates at much greater scale and draw.
• Carnegie Hall: Iconic NYC presenting organization with comparable classical/jazz programming, education programs, and donor/membership model, but substantially larger scale, global prestige, and longer operating history.
• Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM): Established NYC performing arts presenter with multi-format programming, education programs, and a comparable presenter model, though at significantly higher scale and broader cultural footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/tillescenter
• Xx.com/tillesCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/tillescenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tilles-center-for-the-performing-arts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at Long Island University