Des Moines Metro Opera
Des Moines Metro Opera is a nonprofit regional opera company in Indianola, Iowa, founded in 1973, that produces an annual summer Festival Season of three mainstage productions in a 467-seat intimate theater, serves opera patrons and Iowa students, and operates a 52-year-old Apprentice Artist Program alongside statewide educational outreach.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersIndianola, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Des Moines Metro Opera does
Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) is a nonprofit regional opera company founded in 1973 and headquartered in Indianola, Iowa, that produces an annual summer Festival Season of three mainstage opera productions in its 467-seat Blank Performing Arts Center. The company serves opera enthusiasts, cultural patrons, students, and families across Iowa and the broader Midwest, and is recognized for bold, adventurous repertory that includes rarely performed works and company premieres (e.g., King Roger in 2026). Beyond the core festival, DMMO operates the Frank R. Brownell III Apprentice Artist Program (in its 52nd year), OPERA Iowa statewide touring troupe reaching over 25,000 students annually, and a portfolio of ancillary programming including the Opera Gala, Wine/Food & Beer Showcase, Threads & Trills fashion show, In-Home Concert Series, and Met Opera Live in HD co-presentations.
DMMO generates revenue through a hybrid model combining earned income (individual tickets, season subscriptions, event admissions priced from free events up to $150 for the Reserve Experience at the Wine Showcase) with contributed income (corporate sponsorships, annual fund donations, Legacy Circle planned giving, and a DMMO Foundation endowment established in 1993). Ticket sales and subscriptions are processed through a Salesforce-powered ticketing platform and physical box office. The company is governed by a board and supported by named patrons including the Lauridsen Family Foundation as Season Presenting Sponsor.
The company has earned sustained national critical recognition from The New York Times (2025), The New Yorker (2024), The Wall Street Journal (2022), and Dallas Morning News (2025), and self-describes as an industry leader in fiscal sustainability with one of the highest annual operating-budget-to-endowment ratios in U.S. opera. Distribution channels include its own website, email newsletter, Guild chapter events across Des Moines/Indianola/Ames, broadcast partnerships with Iowa Public Radio and Iowa PBS, and co-productions with Houston Grand Opera, Florida State University, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Des Moines Metro Opera firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Des Moines Metro Opera
- Legal name
- Des Moines Metro Opera
- Website
- https://desmoinesmetroopera.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Des Moines Metro Opera is a nonprofit regional opera company in Indianola, Iowa, founded in 1973, that produces an annual summer Festival Season of three mainstage productions in a 467-seat intimate theater, serves opera patrons and Iowa students, and operates a 52-year-old Apprentice Artist Program alongside statewide educational outreach.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Des Moines Metro Opera industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Opera / Performing Arts
- NAICS
- Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Fine Arts Schools (61161)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Opera & Operetta (MPAGABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN)
Keywords
Where Des Moines Metro Opera is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Indianola
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Des Moines Metro Opera business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from individual performance tickets and season subscriptions to the annual summer festival.
- Sponsorships and Donations: Corporate sponsorships, public partners, annual fund donations, and legacy/planned giving programs support the company's operations and endowment.
- Special Events: Revenue from ticketed events such as the Wine, Food & Beer Showcase ($55–$150 per ticket), Opera Gala, and other fundraising events.
- Apprentice Artist Program Participation: Apprentice artists receive per diem, housing, and travel stipend; the program also sells tickets to Apprentice Spotlight Concert and Stars of Tomorrow concert.
- Education Programs: OPERA Iowa touring troupe and educational events such as Picnic & Puccini ($15/person) and Guild chapter events generate program fees while serving over 25,000 students annually.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Picnic & Puccini Family Opera Adventure tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Met Opera Live in HD screening tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | In-Home Concert Series tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apprentice Spotlight Concert |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Stars of Tomorrow Concert |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apprentice Scene Programs |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wine, Food & Beer Showcase – Grand Showcase |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wine, Food & Beer Showcase – Reserve Experience |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Opera Gala tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Guild chapter preview events |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Arias in Ames tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Of Mice and Men Film Screening tickets |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Des Moines Metro Opera product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Des Moines Metro Opera is a nonprofit performing arts organization that produces and presents an annual summer Festival Season of three mainstage opera productions (Tosca, Of Mice and Men, King Roger) performed in an intimate 467-seat arena-style theater at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola, Iowa. The company also operates the Frank R. Brownell III Apprentice Artist Program (now in its 52nd year) for training emerging opera singers, the OPERA Iowa statewide touring education troupe reaching 25,000+ students annually, and a portfolio of supplementary performances, fundraising events, and special programs.
Product overview
Des Moines Metro Opera is a performing arts organization presenting an annual summer Festival Season featuring three mainstage opera productions in an intimate 467-seat theater. The core offering includes the Festival Season with mainstage productions (Tosca, Of Mice and Men, King Roger), supplemented by the Frank R. Brownell III Apprentice Artist Program for training emerging talent, OPERA Iowa for statewide education touring, Stars of Tomorrow and Apprentice Scenes for apprentice performances, the Opera Gala as a major fundraiser, Wine/Food & Beer Showcase for fundraising tastings, Threads & Trills fashion events, family programming like Picnic & Puccini, In-Home Concert Series, Met Live in HD screenings, and retail through the Opera Boutique.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Frank R. Brownell III Apprentice Artist Program: Comprehensive career training program for emerging opera singers, now in its 52nd year
- OPERA Iowa
- The Guilds
- Lauridsen Opera Center
- Vivace
- 2nd Stages Series
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 25,000 students reached annually through OPERA Iowa statewide touring troupe
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Des Moines Metro Opera
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Des Moines Metro Opera technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Des Moines Metro Opera partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Iowa Public RadiominorIowa Public Radio broadcasts DMMO productions on its Classical radio station, including The Rake's Progress (June 20, 2026), The Flying Dutchman (June 6, 2026), and The Cunning Little Vixen (June 13, 2026).
- Iowa PBSminorIowa PBS statewide broadcast of DMMO's 2025 production of The Cunning Little Vixen on Friday, Sept. 19 at 8:30pm CT, available to stream for 45 days.
- Houston Grand OperacoreCo-production partner with Des Moines Metro Opera, Florida State University, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City on the production of Carlisle Floyd's Of Mice and Men, presented in celebration of Floyd's centennial.
- Florida State UniversitycoreCo-production partner with Des Moines Metro Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City on the production of Carlisle Floyd's Of Mice and Men.
- Lyric Opera of Kansas CitycoreCo-production partner with Des Moines Metro Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and Florida State University on the production of Carlisle Floyd's Of Mice and Men.
- OPERA AmericaminorDMMO is a proud member of OPERA America, the national service organization for the opera industry.
- Simpson CollegeminorSimpson College provides Lekberg Hall in the Amy Robertson Music Center as the venue for DMMO's Apprentice Scene Programs during the festival season.
- Drake UniversityminorDrake University's Sheslow Auditorium hosts the Stars of Tomorrow concert, featuring Apprentice Artist Program members performing with the Festival Orchestra.
- Iowa Radio Reading Information Services (IRIS)minorIRIS provides live audio descriptions for accessibility at select performances, including select Tosca, Of Mice and Men, and King Roger performances.
- The Varsity CinemaminorThe Varsity Cinema in Des Moines co-presents Metropolitan Opera Live in HD transmissions with DMMO.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Des Moines Metro Opera competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Houston Grand Opera: Major U.S. opera company that is an active co-production partner with DMMO on Of Mice and Men. Directly comparable as a regional opera presenter producing full mainstage seasons with mainstage and education programming, though at meaningfully larger scale.
- Florentine Opera Company: Milwaukee-based regional opera company presenting a full mainstage season plus educational programs. Comparable in scale and regional opera model, and a logical Midwest peer for DMMO.
- Lyric Opera of Kansas City: Mid-size regional opera company that co-produced Of Mice and Men with DMMO. Highly comparable as a U.S. regional opera house presenting a multi-production season with education and community programming in a Midwestern market.
- Central City Opera: Historic Colorado-based summer opera festival with an apprentice artist program and intimate historic theater. Closely comparable to DMMO as a smaller summer-festival opera company with a training component.
- Minnesota Opera: Regional opera company serving the Upper Midwest with a multi-production season, education programs, and new work development. Comparable in scale, repertory mix, and Midwestern regional audience profile to DMMO.
- Santa Fe Opera: Premier U.S. summer opera festival known for adventurous programming and an open-air theater. The clearest national benchmark for DMMO's "bold repertory in an intimate venue" positioning, though at materially larger scale and budget.
- Detroit Opera: Mid-size regional opera company presenting a full season with education outreach in a U.S. industrial Midwest market. Directly comparable in producing model, community programming, and venue-based opera presentation to DMMO.
- Opera Theatre of Saint Louis: Highly regarded U.S. regional summer opera festival known for adventurous repertory, emerging-artist programming, and intimate venue — closely aligned with DMMO's positioning as a bold smaller company in an intimate space.
- Madison Opera: Wisconsin-based regional opera company producing mainstage productions with a smaller-scale season than DMMO. Comparable in repertory range, education programming, and Midwestern community opera model.
Others
- OPERA America: National service organization for the North American opera field, of which DMMO is a member. Not a competitor, but the industry body setting standards and convening peers for the same opera market DMMO operates in.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Des Moines Metro Opera social profiles
Digital presenceDes Moines Metro Opera financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Des Moines Metro Opera leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Des Moines Metro Opera funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Des Moines Metro Opera M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Des Moines Metro Opera
What does Des Moines Metro Opera do?
Des Moines Metro Opera is a nonprofit performing arts organization that produces and presents an annual summer Festival Season of three mainstage opera productions (Tosca, Of Mice and Men, King Roger) performed in an intimate 467-seat arena-style theater at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola, Iowa. The company also operates the Frank R. Brownell III Apprentice Artist Program (now in its 52nd year) for training emerging opera singers, the OPERA Iowa statewide touring education troupe reaching 25,000+ students annually, and a portfolio of supplementary performances, fundraising events, and special programs.
Is Des Moines Metro Opera a public or private company?
Des Moines Metro Opera is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Des Moines Metro Opera founded?
Des Moines Metro Opera was founded in 1973. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Des Moines Metro Opera based?
Des Moines Metro Opera is headquartered in Indianola, United States, in the North America region.
How does Des Moines Metro Opera make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are sponsorships and Donations, special Events, apprentice Artist Program Participation and education Programs.
Who are Des Moines Metro Opera's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Houston Grand Opera, Florentine Opera Company, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Central City Opera, Minnesota Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Detroit Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Madison Opera. OPERA America is listed as an others.
Does Des Moines Metro Opera have an API?
No public API is recorded for Des Moines Metro Opera.
What industry is Des Moines Metro Opera in?
Des Moines Metro Opera's product category is Opera / Performing Arts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAF, Opera & Operetta, with a secondary code of MPAGABAB, Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies. Its NAICS code is 711130 and its SIC code is 7900.