Miami Light Project
Miami Light Project is a not-for-profit cultural organization founded in 1989 that commissions and presents contemporary dance, music, and theater performances in South Florida. It serves local artists through its Here & Now commissioning program, audiences through performance series and festivals like Global Cuba Fest, and emerging technicians through its Technical Fellowship Program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersMiami, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Miami Light Project does
Miami Light Project is a not-for-profit cultural organization founded in 1989 and based at The Light Box at Miami Theater Center in Miami Shores, Florida. It commissions and presents contemporary performances across dance, music, and theater, serving South Florida-based artists through its Here & Now commissioning program (launched 1999) and reaching broader audiences through international performance series, the Global Cuba Fest (launched 2008 in partnership with FUNDarte), and the ScreenDance Miami Festival. The organization also operates The Light Box Studio as an artist residency and creative laboratory space, and runs the Technical Fellowship Program, which provides free training and paid work experience to Miami-based emerging theater technicians.
The organization's underlying operating model is asset-light: it does not operate proprietary technology platforms and relies on standard venue infrastructure plus third-party tools (Stripe for donations/tickets, Eventbrite for ticketing, Submittable for applications). Core revenue streams are diversified across institutional grants and operating support from funders including Knight Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Arison Arts Foundation, TD Charitable Foundation, and The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation; ticketed events at $20-$40 per ticket; and individual donations in $100-$1,000 tiers.
Customer segments include South Florida-based performance and multimedia artists (primary), local performing arts audiences, emerging theater technicians, and students reached through educational programs and workshops. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Artistic & Executive Director Beth Boone (since 1998), supported by a small core staff of approximately 5-7 individuals across programming, development, marketing, and production functions, plus a broader network of commissioned artists and community partners.
Miami Light Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Miami Light Project
- Legal name
- Miami Light Project
- Website
- https://miamilightproject.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Miami Light Project is a not-for-profit cultural organization founded in 1989 that commissions and presents contemporary dance, music, and theater performances in South Florida. It serves local artists through its Here & Now commissioning program, audiences through performance series and festivals like Global Cuba Fest, and emerging technicians through its Technical Fellowship Program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Miami Light Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Presentation
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Theatre & Storytelling Festivals (MPAGAEAI), Dance Performances (THAJAFAD)
Keywords
Where Miami Light Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Miami
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Miami Light Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: As a not-for-profit cultural organization, Miami Light Project relies primarily on donations and grants from foundations, government cultural affairs departments, and individual donors to fund operations and programs.
- Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from ticket sales for performances and events, including tickets sold through Eventbrite platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | General Admission |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Donation Tiers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Miami Light Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Miami Light Project commissions and presents contemporary dance, music, and theater performances by local and international artists, with sustained focus on South Florida-based creators through the Here & Now commissioning program (active since 1999). The organization complements its presenting work with artist residencies at The Light Box studio, the Global Cuba Fest international cultural exchange, the ScreenDance Miami festival, and a Technical Fellowship Program that trains emerging theater technicians.
Product overview
Miami Light Project is a not-for-profit cultural organization founded in 1989 that operates as a multi-program presenting organization. The core offerings include the Performance Series (international and local performances), Here & Now (artist commissioning program for Miami-based artists since 1999), Global Cuba Fest (Cuban music festival since 2008), ScreenDance Miami (dance-on-film festival), Technical Fellowship Program (workforce development for theater technicians), The Light Box Studio (artist residency and creative laboratory space), and community Workshops. These programs work together to present live performances, support artist development, provide technical training, and engage the South Florida community through the arts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Here & Now: South Florida's most respected commission and presenting program for community-based artists, launched in 1999.
- Global Cuba Fest
- ScreenDance Miami
- The Light Box
- Technical Fellowship Program
Products and services
- Here & Now A sustained commissioning and producing program for South Florida-based performing artists that provides financial support, production resources, and a presenting platform for the development and premiere of new contemporary work.
- Global Cuba Fest An international cultural exchange festival presenting Cuban and Cuban-diaspora contemporary dance, music, and theater artists to South Florida audiences, leveraging Miami's geographic proximity for cross-cultural presenting.
- ScreenDance Miami A festival dedicated to the presentation of dance on screen, programming short films, cinema-dance works, and movement-based media for Miami audiences.
- The Light Box Studio An artist residency and creative laboratory studio housed within Miami Theater Center that provides South Florida-based and visiting artists with dedicated space, production resources, and curatorial support for developing new work.
- Performance Series A ticketed seasonal presenting program of contemporary dance, music, and theater performances by local and international artists, staged at The Light Box at Miami Theater Center, Miami Beach Bandshell, and partner venues.
- Technical Fellowship Program A training program creating a pipeline of paid emerging theater technicians, providing hands-on production experience in lighting, sound, staging, and crew roles within the organization's presenting operations.
- Workshops & Educational Programs Free and low-cost community-based workshops, masterclasses, and educational programs offering South Florida students and community members access to contemporary performing arts practice and artist-led learning.
Quantifiable outcome
- 75+ South Florida-based artists commissioned since 1999
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Miami Light Project
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Miami Light Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Miami Light Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- FUNDartecoreCo-presenter of Global Cuba Fest with Miami Light Project since 2008. FUNDarte is a Miami-based cultural incubator that links the community to the world, presenting international and multicultural arts programming.
- Rhythm FoundationcoreCo-presenter of Global Cuba Fest and partner for Arts in the Parks series. A non-profit cultural organization and leading presenter of international music in the US.
- National Performance Network (NPN)coreMiami Light Project is a partner of NPN, a vibrant network of artists and organizations committed to advancing racial and cultural justice through the arts. NPN provides Creation & Development Fund support.
- Miami Theater CentercoreHost venue for The Light Box studio space. Miami Theater Center is a destination for modern theater, dance & music performances as well as regular kids programs.
- New World SymphonymajorCollaboration on Composers Now Dialogues program and other musical programming. New World Symphony is a laboratory for the way music is taught, presented and experienced.
- Barry UniversityminorPartner for community engagement workshops including Mezclando: Theater, Beats and Melodies program at Barry University's College of Arts & Sciences.
- Lotus HouseminorCommunity partner for youth workshops. Lotus House is a nonprofit dedicated to improving lives of women, youth and children experiencing homelessness.
- Pioneer Winter CollectiveminorPhysically integrated and intergenerational dance theater company that creates performances in public spaces, museums, galleries, stages, schools, and film. Co-presented Apollo performance.
- Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)minorPartner organization in Miami's arts ecosystem, modern and contemporary art museum dedicated to collecting and exhibiting international art.
- Mass MOCAminorPartner for creative exploration and uncommon connection. Center for creative exploration that amplifies global artistry while contributing to city vitality.
- New World School of the ArtsminorFlorida's premier center of excellence in visual and performing arts. Partner for educational programming and artist development.
- Live Arts MiamiminorAction-driven, people-centered platform for powerful performances, impactful community programs and learning experiences that spark dialogue.
- O CinemaminorIndependent, community-based, mission-driven, nonprofit arthouse cinema in Miami-Dade County.
- O, MiamiminorOrganization that builds community around the power of poetry, cultural programming partner.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Miami Light Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- The Yard: Martha's Vineyard-based nonprofit choreographic residency and presenting organization; comparable as a small nonprofit commissioning residencies and presenting contemporary dance with a similar community-anchored model.
Direct peers
- The Joyce Theater: A New York-based nonprofit presenting organization dedicated primarily to dance, commissioning and hosting both emerging choreographers and international companies; highly comparable to Miami Light Project's dance-forward commissioning approach (Here & Now, ScreenDance Miami).
- Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM): BAM is a leading not-for-profit performing arts presenter in New York, presenting contemporary dance, music, and theater from international and local artists; structurally and missionally the closest analog to Miami Light Project's presenter-and-commissioner model.
- Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA): Nonprofit contemporary performance presenting organization commissioning work from local and visiting artists and producing year-round programs; mirrors MLP's commissioning, residency, and contemporary-performance focus at a similar organizational scale.
- Rhythm Foundation: Miami-based nonprofit presenter of international music and co-presenter of Global Cuba Fest; directly comparable as a sister organization operating in the same geography with a similar presenting and festival model.
- FUNDarte: Miami-based cultural incubator co-presenting Global Cuba Fest with Miami Light Project since 2008; comparable as a small-staff nonprofit presenter focused on multicultural international arts programming in the same geography.
- Miami Theater Center: Host venue of Miami Light Project's The Light Box studio and a peer presenting organization focused on contemporary dance, theater, and music in Miami; directly comparable mission and co-located in the same facility.
- Live Arts Miami: Miami-based platform for powerful performances and community programs; comparable as a regional presenting organization with a social-impact community programming focus similar to MLP's community workshops.
Broad incumbents
- New World Symphony: Miami-based orchestral presenting institution partnered with Miami Light Project on Composers Now Dialogues; comparable as a regional performing-arts presenter and MLP institutional collaborator in the South Florida ecosystem.
- MASS MoCA: Large multidisciplinary arts institution with residency and presenting programs for performance and visual artists; broader scope and scale than MLP but a comparable 'creative laboratory' positioning and a documented MLP partner organization.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Miami Light Project social profiles
Digital presenceMiami Light Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Miami Light Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Miami Light Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Miami Light Project 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 Miami Light Project
What does Miami Light Project do?
Miami Light Project commissions and presents contemporary dance, music, and theater performances by local and international artists, with sustained focus on South Florida-based creators through the Here & Now commissioning program (active since 1999). The organization complements its presenting work with artist residencies at The Light Box studio, the Global Cuba Fest international cultural exchange, the ScreenDance Miami festival, and a Technical Fellowship Program that trains emerging theater technicians.
Is Miami Light Project a public or private company?
Miami Light Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Miami Light Project founded?
Miami Light Project was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Miami Light Project based?
Miami Light Project is headquartered in Miami, United States, in the North America region.
How does Miami Light Project make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are ticket Sales.
Who are Miami Light Project's main competitors?
The Yard is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are The Joyce Theater, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA), Rhythm Foundation, FUNDarte, Miami Theater Center and Live Arts Miami. Broad incumbents are New World Symphony and MASS MoCA.
Does Miami Light Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for Miami Light Project.
What industry is Miami Light Project in?
Miami Light Project's product category is Performing Arts Presentation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGADAJ, Dance Festivals & Dance Series, with a secondary code of MPAGAEAI, Community Theatre & Storytelling Festivals. Its NAICS code is 7111 and its SIC code is 7900.