The Shed
The Shed is a New York nonprofit arts center that commissions and presents original work across disciplines from its architecturally distinctive 200,000-square-foot Bloomberg Building, serving general audiences, early-career artists, and underserved communities through exhibitions, performances, and civic programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Shed does
The Shed is a New York-based nonprofit arts center (501(c)(3), incorporated 2013) that commissions and presents original work across visual arts, performing arts, music, theater, and digital media, serving general audiences, early-career NYC artists, underserved communities, and corporate/private event clients. Its core offering is a rotating calendar of exhibitions and live productions (e.g., Doug Aitken: Lightscape, Latinx Freedom, The Black Mirror Experience, Imitation of Life) staged in the 200,000-square-foot Bloomberg Building, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro with Rockwell Group. The venue's defining engineering feature is a movable shell on gantry-crane rack-and-pinion drive clad in oversized ETFE translucent pillows, which physically transforms the building by deploying over the adjoining plaza.
Underlying platforms and programs include the Open Call commissioning program for early-career NYC artists (commissioning fees up to $15,000; 116+ artists supported since 2019), Civic Programs (Open Arms resource fairs, SPAIR residency, West Side Fest), and the Ticket Access Program distributing free or discounted tickets through NYCHA, CUNY, DYCD, and ArtsConnection. The Shed's digital surface is the Bloomberg Connects digital guide app, and the venue also houses Cedric's bar (operated by Union Square Events) and an on-site/online retail shop.
Revenue mechanics are diversified across an 8-tier membership ladder ($10 to $10,000), ticket sales (including a Choose What You Pay model on select productions), tax-deductible donations and major gifts, private event rentals of The McCourt, gallery spaces, Griffin Theater, and Tisch Skylights, F&B commissions through Cedric's, and retail. Funders include Bloomberg (naming-rights donor), the Tisch family, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Charina Endowment Fund, Shubert Foundation, M&T Bank, and New York State Council on the Arts. Distribution is exclusively domestic (New York City and Northeast US), reflecting the venue-based operating model.
The Shed firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Shed
- Legal name
- The Shed
- Website
- https://theshed.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- The Shed is a New York nonprofit arts center that commissions and presents original work across disciplines from its architecturally distinctive 200,000-square-foot Bloomberg Building, serving general audiences, early-career artists, and underserved communities through exhibitions, performances, and civic programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Shed industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts and Cultural Center
- NAICS
- Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)
Keywords
Where The Shed is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Shed business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership Program: Annual memberships sold at multiple tiers ($10-$10,000) providing benefits including special communications, early ticket access, discounts on tickets, invitations to events, behind-the-scenes tours, and recognition in programs. Tax-deductible as a nonprofit organization.
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for performances and exhibitions. Some events use 'Choose What You Pay' model. Ticket Access Program provides subsidized access to CUNY students and NYCHA residents.
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations accepted as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Major giving program for gifts beyond $10,000.
- Event Rentals: Private event rentals of spaces including The McCourt, Level 4 Gallery, Griffin Theater, and Tisch Skylights. Union Square Events is the exclusive caterer. Membership required for access to certain event spaces.
- Retail Shop: On-site and online shop selling merchandise including books, exhibition catalogues, apparel (caps, beanies), and exclusive items from recent exhibitions.
- Food and Beverage: Cedric's bar located in Doctoroff Lobby operated by Danny Meyer's Union Square Events, serving American-fare by day and cocktails by night.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Shed Mover - $10 annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Shed Builder 1 - $100 annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Shed Builder 2 - $250 annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Shed Builder 3 - $500 annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Shed Maker 1 - $1,000 annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Shed Maker 2 - $2,500 annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Shed Maker 3 - $5,000 annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Shed Maker 4 - $10,000 annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | IDNYC Free Membership |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Choose What You Pay tickets |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Shed product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Shed is a nonprofit arts center that commissions, produces, and presents original works of art across all disciplines — including visual arts, theater, music, and dance — for general public audiences. It operates the 200,000-square-foot Bloomberg Building in Hudson Yards, New York, which features a movable shell that deploys over the adjoining plaza, along with multiple galleries, theaters, and event spaces. The organization runs complementary programs such as Open Call for early-career artists, Civic Programs for community engagement, Ticket Access Program for underserved audiences, tiered memberships, venue rentals, a retail shop, and a hospitality bar (Cedric's).
Product overview
The Shed is a cultural institution offering a portfolio of interconnected arts and cultural products and services. Its core offerings include rotating exhibitions and performances (such as Doug Aitken: Lightscape, Latinx Freedom, The Black Mirror Experience), the Open Call commissioning program for emerging artists, Civic Programs encompassing community engagement and social initiatives, and a Ticket Access Program for underserved populations. The venue also provides digital experiences via the Bloomberg Connects digital guide, operates Cedric's bar and a retail shop, and offers event space rentals of its iconic flexible building spaces including The McCourt, galleries, Griffin Theater, and Tisch Skylights. Membership programs (including IDNYC partnerships) and educational/public programs complement the visitor experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cedric's: Bar and casual eatery located in The Shed's Doctoroff Lobby, operated by Union Square Events (Danny Meyer), serving American-fare by day and inventive cocktails by night.
Products and services
- Open Call A large-scale commissioning program for early-career NYC-based artists that provides commissioning fees up to $15,000, production support, studio visits, and resources for developing artistic projects. Artists are selected through a democratized process involving external reviewers and panelists; 116+ artists and collectives supported since launch.
- Civic Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- Served nearly 10,000 New Yorkers through Open Arms resource fairs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Shed
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Shed technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Shed partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Bloomberg ConnectscoreFree digital guide available through Bloomberg Connects app, allowing visitors to learn about The Shed's Bloomberg Building before arrival and explore current programs from personal devices during and after visits.
- LA Phil and LA Master ChoralemajorCollaboration with LA Phil and LA Master Chorale for Doug Aitken's Lightscape installation, featuring original recordings conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
- Pioneer WorksmajorCollaboration with Pioneer Works for curation of Lightscape live musical performances at The Shed.
- M&T BankminorGenerous supporter of Open Arms Resource Fairs initiative, helping connect thousands of New Yorkers to essential services.
- Rockefeller Brothers FundmajorProgram supporter providing funding for commissions and civic programs including Open Call.
- Charina Endowment FundmajorMajor supporter of live productions at The Shed.
- The Shubert FoundationmajorFoundation supporter providing funding for live productions at The Shed.
- New York State Council on the ArtsmajorGovernment arts council providing operational and programming support with Office of the Governor and New York State Legislature backing.
- FriezecoreCultural partner for Frieze New York 2026 programming at The Shed.
- Onassis ONXminorAdditional support provided for Open Call program.
- Manhattan Response TeammajorCollaborates with The Shed to plan and host regular Open Arms resource fairs connecting thousands of individuals to organizations providing essential services.
- United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous IssuesminorThe Shed hosts cultural events for UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, featuring Indigenous leaders from around the world.
- Lenape CenterminorShed staff met with leaders from the Lenape Center for a Living Land Acknowledgment Workshop designed to foster understanding of Living Land Acknowledgments.
- NYC Department of EducationmajorPartnership to produce regular Open Arms resource fairs supporting families in temporary housing, with nearly 10,000 New Yorkers served through multiple fairs.
- Union Square Events (Danny Meyer)coreUnion Square Events, a Danny Meyer concept established in 2005, is the exclusive caterer for The Shed. They create a sense of continuity and collaboration between The Shed's programming and hospitality services. Operates Cedric's bar in the Doctoroff Lobby.
- West Side Cultural NetworkcoreCollaborative partner hosting the annual West Side Fest, bringing together The Shed and neighboring organizations for a weekend of free art and activities.
- NYC Board of ElectionsminorThe Shed serves as a poll site for primary and general elections for city, state, and federal elections, supporting civic participation.
- NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority)corePartner in Ticket Access Program providing free and deeply discounted tickets to NYCHA residents, expanding access to cultural programming.
- CUNY (City University of New York)corePartner in Ticket Access Program providing free and deeply discounted tickets to CUNY students.
- ArtsConnectioncorePartner in Ticket Access Program and hosts Teen Reviewers and Critics (TRaC) writing workshops on-site weekly with free admission for instructors and participants.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Shed competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Park Avenue Armory: NYC nonprofit that commissions and presents large-scale, multi-disciplinary performances and installations in a uniquely flexible historic building. Directly comparable mission and operating model; Alex Poots served as Artistic Director there before founding The Shed's program.
- Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM): Brooklyn-based nonprofit presenting performing arts, commissioning new work, and running community access programs. Closely comparable in commissioning-first model, civic programming, and tiered membership/donation revenue mix.
- MASS MoCA: Large contemporary arts campus in North Adams, MA with multiple buildings, performance venues, and long-duration commissions. Comparable in scale (200,000+ sq ft), multi-disciplinary programming, and ability to host large-format installations.
- The Kitchen: Chelsea-based nonprofit presenting experimental performance, visual art, and emerging artists. Comparable as a NYC commissioning platform for early-career and experimental work, though at much smaller scale.
- New Museum: NYC contemporary art museum with an active commissioning, exhibition, and education program. Comparable on multi-disciplinary contemporary programming, audience development, and nonprofit funding model.
- Signature Theatre: NYC nonprofit that commissions and produces new work through residency-based programming. Comparable on commissioning-led artistic model, tiered memberships, and donor-driven operating budget.
- The Joyce Theater: NYC nonprofit dance presenting venue with tiered memberships, rentals, and education programming. Comparable on venue-based earned revenue, donor dependency, and community access programs.
Broad incumbents
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: NYC's largest performing arts campus presenting opera, orchestral, dance, theater, and film. Overlaps with The Shed on multi-disciplinary programming and shared audiences, though it operates a much larger resident-institution portfolio.
- Carnegie Hall: Iconic NYC concert venue presenting orchestral, contemporary, and commissioning programs. Comparable as a venue-driven nonprofit with rental-style programming, major donor base, and education/community initiatives.
- Whitney Museum of American Art: Major NYC contemporary art museum adjacent to The Shed in the Meatpacking District/Hudson Yards corridor. Comparable on contemporary art presentation, major donor base, and Hudson Yards area visitor draw.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Shed social profiles
Digital presenceThe Shed financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Shed leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
The Shed funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Shed 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 The Shed
What does The Shed do?
The Shed is a nonprofit arts center that commissions, produces, and presents original works of art across all disciplines — including visual arts, theater, music, and dance — for general public audiences. It operates the 200,000-square-foot Bloomberg Building in Hudson Yards, New York, which features a movable shell that deploys over the adjoining plaza, along with multiple galleries, theaters, and event spaces. The organization runs complementary programs such as Open Call for early-career artists, Civic Programs for community engagement, Ticket Access Program for underserved audiences, tiered memberships, venue rentals, a retail shop, and a hospitality bar (Cedric's).
Is The Shed a public or private company?
The Shed is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Shed founded?
The Shed was founded in 2013. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is The Shed based?
The Shed is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Shed make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Membership Program is the primary driver. The others are ticket Sales, donations and Contributions, event Rentals, retail Shop and food and Beverage.
Who are The Shed's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Park Avenue Armory, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), MASS MoCA, The Kitchen, New Museum, Signature Theatre and The Joyce Theater. Broad incumbents are Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall and Whitney Museum of American Art.
Does The Shed have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Shed.
What industry is The Shed in?
The Shed's product category is Performing Arts and Cultural Center. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAB, Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music). Its NAICS code is 711.