White Bear Center for the Arts

What White Bear Center for the Arts does

White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community arts center founded in 1968 and headquartered in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, serving the Northeast Metro suburban area of the state. The organization's central facility at 4971 Long Avenue houses the 2,356 sq ft Ford Family Gallery, Exhibition Hall, Community Hallway, Atrium, Polly Shank Studio, Klopp Studio, Hartzell Family Clay Center, the Kigner Family Library, the Ann Tousley Luther Art Shop, and an outdoor campus featuring the OSilas Labyrinth. The facility underwent extensive renovation and reopened in 2021 with expanded gallery, retail, and clay-program capacity. WBCA reports annually serving approximately 10,500 adults and seniors and 6,500 children and teens across classes, workshops, exhibitions, summer camps, and outreach with 50+ partner organizations.

The core offering is an arts education program comprising hundreds of classes and workshops across ceramics, painting, drawing, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, paper, printmaking, photography, writing, woodworking, and dance, delivered by 120+ professional teaching artists and complemented by free public exhibitions (approximately a dozen per year), the Imagine Art Youth Summer Camp for grades 1-8, the Queer Clay Club, the Ann Tousley Luther Art Shop, and Clay Services (firing and supplies). Technology footprint is limited to standard arts infrastructure plus the Neon One online registration platform and the recently adopted Capption accessibility tool, which delivers multilingual, smartphone-based access to exhibition content.

WBCA generates revenue through six streams: class tuition at differentiated member and non-member pricing, annual memberships ($60 Seniors/Students, $72 Adult, $120 Household, $250 Ambassador), donations and grants including a Legacy Endowment Fund, consigned art shop sales, clay-related services and supplies, and class gift certificates. Earned revenue is supplemented by a tiered business sponsor program (Platinum, Gold, Silver) and donor-advised fund partnerships with the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, the Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation, and the Minneapolis Foundation. The organization is governed by a 2026 Board of Directors chaired by Cathy Weyerhaeuser and led by Executive Director Chris Scholl.

Name

White Bear Center for the Arts

Legal name

White Bear Center for the Arts

Website

https://whitebeararts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community arts center founded in 1968 in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. It delivers art classes, workshops, exhibitions, and community programs to adults, seniors, children, and teens across the Northeast Metro area, reaching more than 17,000 participants annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Arts Education

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAHAD

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations

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

SECONDARYEDAAAFAD

Cultural, Arts & Humanities Community Education (Museums/Arts Councils)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

SECONDARYEDAAAGAA

Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Personal Enrichment & Hobby Learning (Arts, Crafts, Music, Cooking)

SECONDARYBPAGAHAH

Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs

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

Keywords

• Community arts education
• Art classes workshops
• Ceramics clay programs
• Juried art exhibitions
• Youth summer camps

Headquarters

HQ city

White Bear Lake

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, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Class Tuition: Revenue from registration fees for hundreds of art classes and workshops across various mediums including ceramics, painting, fiber arts, drawing, woodworking, writing, dance, and more. Classes are priced differently for members and non-members.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees providing benefits including 20% discount on tuition-based classes, 10% off art shop purchases, early registration, and access to members-only events. Membership tiers include Adults ($72), Seniors/Students ($60), Household ($120), and Ambassador ($250).
3. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, WBCA receives donations from individuals, business sponsors, and potentially foundation grants. The center offers multiple giving options including monthly contributions, employer matching, planned giving, Legacy Endowment Fund, Donor-Advised Funds, gifts of stock, and IRA designations.
4. Art Shop Sales: The Ann Tousley Luther Art Shop sells consigned artwork and handcrafted goods from local artists, including original art, handmade jewelry, ceramics, textiles, prints, and cards. Members receive a 10% discount.
5. Clay Services: Services including firing (bisque at Cone 08 and glaze at Cone 6), clay sales (half bag $10, full bag $20), glazes, underglazes, and Clay at Home Kits ($60).
6. Gift Certificates: Class gift certificates are available for purchase by phone or in-person, redeemable for any WBCA class.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community arts center that delivers hands-on art classes and workshops, public exhibitions, youth programming, clay services, and a retail art shop. It serves the Northeast Metro area of Minnesota with classes across dozens of mediums including ceramics, painting, fiber arts, drawing, woodworking, writing, dance, glass, jewelry, photography, and printmaking. The center operates from a renovated facility in White Bear Lake housing studios, gallery spaces, a clay center, and an on-site retail shop.

Product overview

White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) is a nonprofit community arts center offering a diverse portfolio of services organized around arts education, exhibitions, and community engagement. The core offering includes hundreds of art classes and workshops across diverse media (ceramics, painting, drawing, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, movement/dance, paper, printmaking, photography, writing, wood), serving all ages and skill levels. Complementary services include free public exhibitions in multiple gallery spaces (Ford Family Gallery, Exhibition Hall, Community Hallway, Atrium), youth programming (Imagine Art Summer Camp, Queer Clay Club), Clay Services (firing, supplies, at-home kits), the Ann Tousley Luther Art Shop retail store, class gift certificates, annual membership, and a volunteer program. The organization operates as a single integrated service model, with classes, exhibitions, retail, and membership functioning as interconnected components of the arts center experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Art Classes & Workshops Hundreds of art classes and workshops for all ages and skill levels covering ceramics, painting, drawing, fiber arts, woodworking, writing, dance, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, paper, printmaking, and photography.
• Exhibitions Free public exhibitions in the Ford Family Gallery, Exhibition Hall, Community Hallway, and Atrium showcasing emerging and established artists; approximately a dozen exhibitions annually including the Northern Lights Juried Art Exhibition, Into Nature Plein Air Competition, Vision & Verse, and Members' Exhibition.
• Imagine Art Youth Summer Camp Week-long summer art sessions for students in grades 1-8 ($300 Members / $375 Non-Members) covering multiple mediums, with morning, afternoon, and Middle School Art Lab options.
• Queer Clay Club Welcoming weekly clay studio gathering for all gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientations to create, connect, and express through clay in a queer-positive environment.
• Clay Services Firing services (bisque and glaze), clay and glaze sales, and Clay at Home Kits ($60) for hobby potters to create at home using WBCA kiln access.
• Ann Tousley Luther Art Shop On-site retail shop featuring consigned original art and handcrafted goods from local Minnesota artists including ceramics, jewelry, textiles, prints, and cards; members receive a 10% discount.
• Class Gift Certificates Gift certificates redeemable for any WBCA class, available for purchase by phone or in person.
• Membership Annual membership with tiers Adults ($72), Seniors/Students ($60), Household ($120), and Ambassador ($250) providing early registration, 20% tuition discounts, 10% shop discount, and members-only events.
• Artist Development & Wellness Programs Programs including Studio Coffee, Artist to Artist sessions, The Bloom Circle, Art Museum Series, meditation classes, and artist talks supporting creative community and wellness.
• Clay Open Studio Independent studio access for experienced clay students to work on their own pieces ($44 Member / $55 Non-Member per session; $20 if enrolled in a regular clay class in the same month).

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves approximately 10,500 adults and seniors annually through classes, workshops, exhibitions, and events
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• H.A. Kantrud, P.A.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum level business sponsor providing financial support and visibility for WBCA's programs and operations.
• JL Schwieters Building Supply Construction, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum level business sponsor and construction industry partner supporting WBCA.
• NewStudio ArchitectureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum level business sponsor from architecture industry.
• Schwieters PotteryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum level business sponsor, pottery studio, and partner related to WBCA's clay programs.
• Xcel Energy FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum level sponsor providing general operating grant support through corporate philanthropy.
• Mueller MemorialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold level business sponsor with quote praising WBCA's contribution to community beauty, engagement, and creativity.
• Boyum Barenscheer PLLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold level business sponsor (accounting/financial services).
• F&M BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold level business sponsor (financial institution).
• Stonehouse CateringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold level business sponsor (catering services).
• White Bear Lake Lions ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold level business sponsor (service organization).
• Saint Paul & Minnesota FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), helping donors maximize charitable potential of assets.
• Greater White Bear Lake Community FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal partner for Donor-Advised Funds and charitable giving options.
• Minneapolis FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional partner for Donor-Advised Funds and charitable giving options.
• Kowalski's Market (White Bear Lake)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver level sponsor; shoppers can leave receipts in designated box to support WBCA.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline shopping program where purchases generate donations to WBCA.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hopkins Center for the Arts: Suburban Twin Cities community arts center offering classes, exhibitions, and community events. Closest direct comparable in scale, mission, and programming mix to WBCA.
• Plymouth Community Arts Council: Suburban Minneapolis community arts council offering classes, exhibitions, and youth programming with a nonprofit model similar to WBCA's community-led approach.
• Paramount Center for the Arts: Regional community arts center in St. Cloud, MN providing visual and performing arts classes and exhibitions; comparable nonprofit community arts model in a different Minnesota metro.
• Edina Art Center: Suburban Minneapolis–area community art center offering classes and exhibitions for all ages, run by the City of Edina; directly comparable suburban arts education mission.
• Northern Clay Center: Minneapolis-based nonprofit dedicated to clay arts education, exhibitions, and artist residency — directly overlaps with WBCA's Hartzell Family Clay Center and clay services.
• Textile Center: Minneapolis nonprofit providing fiber arts classes, exhibitions, and artist support. Overlaps with WBCA's fiber arts programming and gallery model in the same regional ecosystem.
• The Loft Literary Center: Minneapolis nonprofit offering writing classes, workshops, and community literary programming. Comparable in mission and audience to WBCA's writing program.

Broad incumbents

• Minneapolis Institute of Art: Major regional art museum with free general admission, exhibitions, and educational programming. Overlaps with WBCA's gallery/exhibition and community education mission at much larger scale.

Regional players

• MacPhail Center for Music: Minneapolis-based nonprofit music education center offering classes and community programming; comparable nonprofit arts-education operating model, different discipline (music vs. visual arts/writing).
• Minnesota Center for Book Arts: Minneapolis nonprofit offering classes, exhibitions, and residencies in book arts and paper arts; comparable community arts nonprofit with overlapping medium (paper/printmaking).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/whitebearcenterforthearts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 White Bear Center for the Arts