The Bushnell

What The Bushnell does

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts is a Connecticut-based nonprofit performing arts center founded in 1930 by Dotha Bushnell Hillyer as a memorial to her father, Horace Bushnell. It operates two fully equipped theaters in downtown Hartford — Mortensen Hall (2,799 seats) and Belding Theater (908 seats) — equipped with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and production systems, and is positioned as Connecticut's largest arts organization. Programming spans Broadway national tours, comedy, concerts, family shows, and community events; the 2026-2027 Broadway Season alone includes 10 productions (Oh, Mary!, The Great Gatsby, Mamma Mia!, Boop!, Hell's Kitchen, Maybe Happy Ending, Jersey Boys, Waitress, Operation Mincemeat, The Outsiders).

The organization is supported by a digital ecosystem that includes a ticketing platform (bushnell.evenue.net), All-In-1 mobile ticketing, an email/EClub engagement system with preference-tagged newsletters, accessibility infrastructure (ASL interpretation, audio description, sensory-friendly performances, open captioning, assistive listening), and the in-house Bushnell Digital Arts Production Team — an immersive-media collective of Emmy-credentialed producers, choreographers, VFX editors, cinematographers, and interactive developers who produce projection mapping, 360° dome filmmaking, and multi-channel installations for the Local Arts Stage and Magic Mural. Education surface area includes Bushnell Children's Theatre, talent-development programs (Noah Webster Jazzicians, Ensign Darling Vocal Fellowship/New Voices, Performing Arts Scholars), Horace B's Creative Classroom, Digital Design and Production, and the Artivity summer camp, collectively reaching 15,000 students annually.

The revenue model blends earned and contributed income: ticket sales (individual and group, including 10+ group discounts and Choose-Your-Own / full-season subscriptions), ticketed performance rentals and private/corporate event rentals (corporate events, weddings, mitzvahs, fundraisers, community events booked via Tripleseat), donations and corporate/foundation sponsorships, an annual membership program (early access, private dining in the Horace Bushnell Suite, MUSE Magazine at the $150 giving level), and fee-based education programs (e.g., Artivity at $295 per session). Commercial relationships span corporate sponsors (Bank of America as 2025-2026 season sponsor; The Hartford as 2026-2027 Broadway series sponsor; Travelers, Lincoln Financial, RTX, Webster Bank as supporting sponsors; the Richard P. Garmany Fund as a grant partner), a presenting partnership with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, ecosystem collaborations with UConn, University of Hartford, Wadsworth Atheneum, RiseUp for Arts, Hartford Healthcare, and Ballet School of Stamford, and hospitality partnerships with DoubleTree by Hilton, Marriott Hartford Downtown, and The Goodwin Hotel. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the owned ticketing platform, in-person box office, phone sales, and a group sales team, complemented by event-driven demand from the programming calendar and community engagement.

Name

The Bushnell

Legal name

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

Website

https://bushnell.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit performing arts center in Hartford, Connecticut, operating Mortensen Hall (2,799 seats) and Belding Theater (908 seats). It hosts Broadway tours, concerts, education programs reaching 15,000 students annually, and corporate and private events for Greater Hartford patrons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Center

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL)

Keywords

• Live performing arts
• Broadway touring productions
• Venue rental services
• Arts education programs
• Arts center membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Hartford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets to ticketed performances and events across both theaters. Individual tickets, group sales, and Broadway subscription packages are sold through the box office, phone, and online platform.
2. Theater and Space Rentals: Mortensen Hall and Belding Theater are available for private event rentals including corporate events, weddings, mitzvah ceremonies, fundraisers, and community/nonprofit events. Beyond private events, the theaters host ticketed performance rentals for touring productions.
3. Donations and Philanthropic Giving: The Bushnell relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support operations and programming. The organization has a membership program offering benefits including private dining, early ticket access, and exclusive event invitations.
4. Memberships: Annual membership program offering elevated patron experience benefits including private dining in the Horace Bushnell Suite, early access to tickets, and invitations to exclusive events.
5. Education Programs: Revenue from fee-based educational programs including Artivity summer arts camp ($295 per session for ages 7-14), teaching artist workshops, and talent development programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts operates two world-class theaters — Mortensen Hall (2,799 seats) and Belding Theater (908 seats) — in downtown Hartford, presenting Broadway touring productions, comedy shows, concerts, family programming, and education performances. Beyond ticketed live events, the organization hosts private and corporate event rentals, runs a subscription ticketing program, and delivers education programs reaching 15,000 students annually in Greater Hartford. The Bushnell also operates an in-house Digital Arts Production Team providing projection mapping, 360° dome filmmaking, and multi-channel installations through its Local Arts Stage program.

Product overview

The Bushnell is Connecticut's largest arts organization, operating two world-class performance venues: Mortensen Hall (2,799 seats) and the Belding Theater (908 seats), both equipped with state-of-the-art production systems. The organization complements its live performance programming with Bushnell Digital Arts, a digital production team offering projection mapping, 360° dome filmmaking, and multi-channel installations. The Local Arts Stage program provides a multichannel video and projection installation for local artists. Education initiatives include Bushnell Children's Theatre, Talent Development programs, and Digital Learning offerings. The Bushnell also offers membership programs (Bushnell Next Gen), tours (Bushnell Tours To-Go), and publishes MUSE Magazine. The organization operates a digital ticketing platform supporting mobile wallet storage and ticket transfers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bushnell Digital Arts: A multi-disciplined collective of artists creating at the intersection of performing arts, digital media, and immersive technology, including projection mapping, 360° dome filmmaking, and multi-channel installations.
• Bushnell Children's Theatre
• Bushnell Next Gen
• Bushnell Digital Arts Production Team
• Horace B's Creative Classroom

Products and services

• Mortensen Hall Historic main theater at The Bushnell with 2,799 seats, fully equipped to handle modern touring Broadway productions with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and production systems. Available for ticketed touring performances and private/corporate events.
• Belding Theater Modern 908-seat theater at The Bushnell, fully equipped with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and production systems for touring productions, comedy shows, family programming, and private events.
• Broadway Touring Productions Programming of national Broadway touring productions presented at Mortensen Hall and Belding Theater. The 2026-2027 season includes Oh, Mary!, The Great Gatsby, Mamma Mia!, Boop! The Musical, Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen, Maybe Happy Ending, Jersey Boys, Waitress, Operation Mincemeat, and The Outsiders. Tickets sold individually, via season subscriptions, and through group sales.
• Broadway Season Subscription Subscription ticketing program for the Broadway season, with Full-Season and Choose-Your-Own package options. Subscribers receive the ALL-IN-1 mobile ticket pass, which automatically rotates to each show in the season.
• Theater and Space Rentals Rental of Mortensen Hall (2,799 seats) and Belding Theater (908 seats) for private events, corporate events, weddings, mitzvah ceremonies, fundraisers, community/nonprofit events, and ticketed performance rentals by touring production companies. Booking managed via warnertheatre.tripleseat.com.
• Membership Program Annual membership offering elevated patron experience benefits including private dining in the Horace Bushnell Suite, early access to tickets, and invitations to exclusive events. MUSE Magazine is delivered at the $150 donation level.
• Group Sales Bulk ticketing program offering discounted pricing for groups of 10 or more, targeted at organizations, schools, and businesses. Contact via (860) 987-5959 or [email protected].
• Accessibility Services Performance accessibility accommodations including ASL interpreted performances, audio description, large-format digital prompters, sensory-friendly performances, open captioning, and assistive listening devices.
• Artivity Summer Arts Camp Hands-on arts program providing instruction in puppetry, sewing, visual artistry, textiles, drumming, jewelry-making, yoga, and music-creation for students ages 7-14. Three week-long sessions run in July 2026 at $295 per session.
• Bushnell Children's Theatre Education program designed to bring out the talent in every child through masterclasses from industry professionals and choreography training.
• Talent Development Programs Talent development initiatives including Noah Webster Jazzicians, Ensign Darling Vocal Fellowship/New Voices, and The Bushnell Performing Arts Scholars.
• Bushnell Digital Learning Digital education offerings including Horace B's Creative Classroom and Digital Design and Production programs for arts learning.
• Bushnell Digital Arts Production Services Multi-disciplined collective of artists creating at the intersection of performing arts, digital media, and immersive technology, including projection mapping, 360° dome filmmaking, and multi-channel installations for the Local Arts Stage and other Bushnell programming.
• Local Arts Stage Groundbreaking multichannel video and projection installation providing local artists and new voices a digital stage at The Bushnell. Featured on exterior screens and a 50-foot projection-mapped wall in the Mortensen Hall lobby, running on show nights throughout the season. Partners include RiseUp for Arts.
• Bushnell Tours To-Go Mobile tour program where trained volunteer guides bring a projector to libraries, schools, and senior centers to showcase backstage spaces and venue history.
• MUSE Magazine Quarterly magazine featuring behind-the-scenes Broadway content, staff profiles, and show previews. Delivered by mail to donors at the $150+ giving level.
• Bushnell Next Gen Community program fostering arts engagement among early career professionals in Greater Hartford, providing ticket discounts, exclusive event invitations, networking opportunities, and insider access. No cost to participate.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000 students reached annually through education programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered lead sponsorship, supporting, core and minor.

• Bank of Americalead sponsorshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Bank of America is the season sponsor for The Bushnell's 2025-2026 Season, receiving prominent visibility across all marketing materials, programs, and the organization's digital presence.
• The Hartfordlead sponsorshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026The Hartford is the series sponsor for the 2026-2027 Broadway Season, providing financial support in exchange for brand visibility across Broadway programming and marketing materials.
• Travelerslead sponsorshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Travelers is a lead sponsor of The Bushnell's 2025-2026 Season, receiving visibility across the organization's programming and marketing channels.
• Lincoln FinancialsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Lincoln Financial is a supporting sponsor of The Bushnell's 2025-2026 Season, contributing financial support in exchange for brand recognition across programming.
• RTXsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026RTX is a supporting sponsor of The Bushnell's 2025-2026 Season, receiving brand visibility as part of the organization's sponsorship recognition.
• Webster BanksupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Webster Bank is a supporting sponsor of The Bushnell's 2026-2027 Broadway Season with support from The Richard P. Garmany Fund at Greater Hartford Gives Foundation and Webster Bank.
• Hartford Symphony OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The Bushnell partners with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra to present concerts such as Guster with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. This presenting partnership combines The Bushnell's venue with the Orchestra's musical programming.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford DowntownminorOthers · 1 January 2026Recommended hotel partner for Bushnell patrons visiting from out of town. Located at 315 Trumbull Street, Hartford, CT 06103. Phone: 860-728-5151. A 12% discount is available via The Bushnell's booking link.
• Marriott Hartford DowntownminorOthers · 1 January 2026Recommended hotel partner for Bushnell patrons. Located at 200 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford. Contact: Jillian McFarland, Catering Manager. Phone: 860-760-2236.
• The Goodwin HotelminorOthers · 1 January 2026Recommended boutique hotel partner for Bushnell patrons. Located at 1 Haynes Street, Hartford. Phone: 860-246-1881. Described as Hartford's only boutique hotel.
• UConnminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The University of Connecticut is a partner in The Bushnell's Digital Arts ecosystem. Ryan Glista, a member of the Bushnell Digital Arts Production Team, has served as a teaching artist in UConn's School of Fine Arts.
• University of HartfordminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The University of Hartford is a partner in The Bushnell's Digital Arts ecosystem. Carolyn Paine, a member of the Bushnell Digital Arts team, holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Hartford.
• RiseUp for ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023RiseUp for Arts is a key partner in the Magic Mural Local Arts Stage project, collaborating on a public art initiative featuring over 100 local and international fine artists. RiseUp is a public art nonprofit that has collaborated with The Bushnell on multiple digital and projection projects.
• Wadsworth Atheneum of ArtminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The Wadsworth Atheneum of Art is listed as a partner in The Bushnell's Digital Arts ecosystem, supporting collaborative arts and cultural initiatives.
• Hartford HealthcareminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Hartford Healthcare is listed as a partner in The Bushnell's Digital Arts ecosystem, supporting the intersection of performing arts and community wellness initiatives.
• Ballet School of StamfordminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Ballet School of Stamford is listed as a partner in The Bushnell's Digital Arts ecosystem. The school collaborates on digital stage performances featuring their dancers alongside Bushnell's digital production team.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Providence Performing Arts Center: A nonprofit presenting venue in Providence, RI of comparable scale (3,100+ seats) that books Broadway touring productions and offers education/outreach programs. Closely matches The Bushnell in mission, venue size, presenting model, and New England regional positioning.
• Segerstrom Center for the Arts: Costa Mesa, CA nonprofit PAC with Segerstrom Hall and Segerstrom Studio presenting Broadway, dance, orchestra, and education programs. Directly comparable multi-venue nonprofit presenting scale and mission.
• Ordway Center for the Performing Arts: Saint Paul, MN nonprofit PAC presenting Broadway tours, concerts, and educational programming with a comparable ~1,900-seat main hall and ~1,100-seat Music Theater. Closely aligned operating model with subscription, rental, and education revenue streams.
• Fox Theatre (Atlanta): Historic 4,665-seat nonprofit performing arts venue in Atlanta presenting Broadway tours, concerts, comedy, and private events. Highly comparable in presenting-touring programming and venue-rental revenue model.
• Blumenthal Performing Arts: Charlotte, NC nonprofit operator of multiple venues (Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse, Stage Door Theater) presenting Broadway tours, comedy, and family programming. Highly comparable multi-venue nonprofit presenting model with similar ticket, rental, and education revenue mix.
• Kimmel Cultural Campus (Kimmel Center, Academy of Music): Philadelphia's nonprofit performing arts campus operating multiple venues with Broadway tours, concerts, and education/outreach. Same nonprofit presenting-and-venue model with comparable infrastructure scale and Broadway subscription focus.
• Boch Center (Wang Theatre and Shubert Theatre): Boston-based nonprofit presenting two historic theaters (Wang Theatre ~3,500 seats; Shubert Theatre) hosting Broadway tours, comedy, and concerts with education programming. Highly comparable multi-theater nonprofit presenting model in a nearby Northeastern market.

Emerging players

• Hartford Symphony Orchestra: Local presenting partner that stages orchestral programming at The Bushnell venues. Not a peer in competitive terms but the closest local performing-arts presenting counterpart with shared audience and venue economics in Hartford.

Broad incumbents

• The Kennedy Center: National performing arts center operating multiple venues (~3,000+ seat Opera House plus smaller halls) with national education, Broadway, and presenting programming. Larger scale and federally related, but the same nonprofit presenting-and-venue model that anchors The Bushnell.
• Broadway Across America: North America's largest Broadway touring presenter, supplying productions to venues like The Bushnell under presenter/engagement agreements. Closely tied as the upstream content supplier shaping The Bushnell's programming calendar and revenue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheBushnell
• Facebookfacebook.com/thebushnell

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 The Bushnell