artEquity
artEquity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 that provides training, leadership development, and community-building programs for BIPOC artists and art leaders in the U.S. arts and cultural sector, with an intentional focus on Black artists and leaders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersPasadena, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What artEquity does
artEquity (legally artEquity Community) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by Carmen Morgan and headquartered in Pasadena, California. The organization provides training, facilitation, leadership development, and community-building programming at the intersection of art and activism, with an intentional focus on supporting Black, Indigenous, and other artists and art leaders of color working within the U.S. arts and cultural sector. Its portfolio includes cohort-based programs (National Facilitator Training, National Board Training, BIPOC Leadership Circle, Women of Color in Leadership, Black Playwrights Gathering), shorter-form intensives (Strategies for Change, Everyday Justice), fiscal sponsorship vehicles (Artist + Activist Community Fund, BIPOC Elders Grant), and a published web series (Talking Back). The National Facilitator Training, originally hosted by Oregon Shakespeare Festival, is currently on pause as the organization reassesses its delivery model.
artEquity operates without proprietary technology products; its core asset is a social justice curriculum and facilitation methodology refined over a decade. Programs are delivered through in-person retreats held in partnership with BIPOC-led organizations across U.S. regions (Oregon, Minnesota, California, Louisiana, Georgia, Colorado, New York) and via virtual platforms such as Zoom. The organization is staffed by a small team of 1-10 employees, supplemented by a bench of core facilitators, alumni, and program producers. It has served over 15,000 participants since founding and maintains a U.S. and Canadian alumni network.
The revenue model rests on three streams: charitable donations (individual and organizational gifts via credit card, bank transfer, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, and check), foundation and government grants (Ford Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Getty Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Shubert Foundation, California Arts Council, Dramatists Guild Fund, Howard Gilman Foundation, JKW Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, among others), and program registration fees (priced at $285 for Strategies for Change and $812 for the National Facilitator Training). Some programs, such as BIPOC Surviving Predominantly White Institutions, are offered free of charge. The 2025 co-producer credit on the Tony Award-winning CATS: The Jellicle Ball represents an unusual visibility event for a small nonprofit of this type.
artEquity firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- artEquity
- Legal name
- artEquity Community
- Website
- https://artequity.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- artEquity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 that provides training, leadership development, and community-building programs for BIPOC artists and art leaders in the U.S. arts and cultural sector, with an intentional focus on Black artists and leaders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
artEquity industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts Equity Training and Consulting
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations (BPAGAHAI), Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ)
Keywords
Where artEquity is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pasadena
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
artEquity business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: artEquity relies primarily on charitable donations from individuals and organizations. The organization accepts gifts via credit card, bank transfer, Venmo, PayPal, ApplePay, and checks. Donations support programming that centers Black, Indigenous, artists and art leaders of color.
- Foundation and Government Grants: artEquity receives funding from foundations including California Arts Council, Dramatists Guild Fund, Ford Foundation, Getty Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, JKW Foundation, Mellon Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and Shubert Foundation, as well as individual donors.
- Program Registration Fees: Registration fees for training programs including National Facilitator Training ($812) and Strategies for Change ($285), which go toward facilitation fees, access services, and technical/administrative support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | National Facilitator Training - Two-weekend intensive retreat |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Strategies for Change - Two-part intensive on antiracism |
| Freemium | Annual | BIPOC Surviving Predominantly White Institutions - Free workshop series |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
artEquity product offering
Product offeringCore offering
artEquity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers training programs, facilitation, consulting, convenings, and direct fiscal support for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists, art leaders, and arts organizations. Its offerings include cohort-based leadership and board training, antiracism intensives, playwrights gatherings, wellness initiatives, the Talking Back web series, and the Artist + Activist Community Fund providing grants and fiscal sponsorship to BIPOC artists.
Product overview
artEquity is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of training programs, convenings, and resources at the intersection of art and activism, with a focus on supporting BIPOC arts leaders. The core programs include the National Facilitator Training (currently on pause) and National Board Training for governance equity, alongside cohort-based programs like BIPOC Leadership Circle, Women of Color in Leadership, and the Black Playwrights Gathering. The organization produces the Talking Back web series and maintains extensive resource libraries including newsletters, recommended readings, and collaborative documents. Direct support is provided through the Artist + Activist Community Fund (fiscal sponsorship), BIPOC Elders Grant, and Supporting Black Leaders + Wellness initiatives. The portfolio is unified in its mission to foster justice through the arts but operates as distinct programs rather than a single platform with modules.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- National Facilitator Training (NFT) A two-weekend intensive retreat focused on deep analysis and skills building around diversity, equity, and inclusion, paired with meaningful discourse on the role of art makers. Targeted to BIPOC arts practitioners, educators, advocates, board members, and funders who want to facilitate equity work. Currently on pause as the organization assesses future delivery.
- National Board Training A multi-month online intensive on board governance through an equity lens, training board members of theaters, museums, and arts organizations to advance antiracist practices and steward cultural change in their institutions.
- BIPOC Leadership Circle A cohort-based leadership development program for BIPOC arts leaders providing community, support, and networking across the arts field. Designed for leaders working to create change within arts and cultural organizations.
- Black Playwrights Gathering An annual gathering of Black playwrights held during Juneteenth to nurture Black storytelling and cultivate intergenerational community among writers across many career stages and generations.
- Women of Color in Leadership A cohort-based space for Women of Color leaders to gather for respite, renewal, and mutual support, acknowledging their central role in movement building and prioritizing self-care alongside leadership.
- Strategies for Change A two-part intensive focusing on launching, sustaining, and engaging antiracism in institutions, designed for practitioners with experience in organizational change. Delivered virtually via Zoom.
- BIPOC Surviving Predominantly White Institutions A workshop series providing tools, resources, and community for BIPOC artists navigating predominantly white institutions. Offered free of charge.
- Talking Back (web series) A web series featuring dynamic conversations on shifting culture in the theatre field, hosted by Founder Carmen Morgan. Season 1 (2019) had six episodes; Season 2 (2022) focused on Black creatives. Available for free online viewing.
- Artist + Activist Community Fund Direct fiscal sponsorship and financial support provided to Black artists whose work has profound cultural and aesthetic resonance, including the BIPOC Elders Grant as a component.
- BIPOC Elders Grant Financial grants provided to BIPOC elders and culture bearers supporting their continued contributions to the arts. A 2024 and 2025 BIPOC Elders + Culture Bearers Grant cohort has been awarded.
- The Intersection Newsletter Regular newsletter publication providing programming updates, social justice and arts-related articles, and resources for the radical, distributed to subscribers.
- Everyday Justice A virtual program providing introductory learning opportunities in antiracism for individuals new to the work. Delivered via Zoom.
- Finding the Keys A program offering resources and support for BIPOC arts leaders seeking tools to navigate their professional environments.
- Supporting Black Leaders + Wellness An initiative including fiscal sponsorship, program partnerships, and individualized support for Black executive leaders, including a pilot program supporting Tarell Alvin McCraney.
- Alumni Gathering An alumni gathering convening artEquity's national alumni network for connection, community, and programmatic reflection. The 2023 and 2025 Alumni Gatherings are documented.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 15,000 participants served since 2015
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use artEquity
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
artEquity technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
artEquity partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- CATS: The Jellicle Ball ProductioncoreartEquity served as co-producer of CATS: The Jellicle Ball, a Tony Award-winning production celebrating Black, Brown, Trans, and Queer Ballroom Culture. The production won 3 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical.
- Oregon Shakespeare FestivalcoreOSF was the founding host partner for artEquity's National Facilitator Training in 2015 and has been a key collaborator in equity initiatives. Carmen Morgan worked with OSF for over 12 years on structural and organizational equity.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
artEquity competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RaceForward: RaceForward is a national racial justice organization that conducts equity training, policy research, and movement building for institutions and practitioners. It is directly comparable to artEquity in providing equity-centered training and consulting to organizations, though with a broader cross-sector mandate rather than an arts-specific focus.
- National Black Theatre: National Black Theatre is a Black-led New York-based theatre company and producing institution focused on developing, producing, and presenting Black theatre work. Comparable to artEquity in centering Black artists and Black arts leadership, though it operates as a producing theatre rather than as a training and facilitation organization.
- New England Foundation for the Arts: NEFA is a regional arts funder and service organization supporting artists and arts organizations across New England with grants, training, and convenings. Comparable to artEquity in providing arts funding and capacity-building programs, with similar equity-centered initiatives though operating regionally rather than nationally.
- National Performance Network: National Performance Network is a national arts service organization supporting performing artists and presenters, with programs including community engagement and equity-focused funding. Comparable to artEquity in supporting performing arts practitioners and providing capacity-building resources, though it focuses on performance touring and presenting rather than facilitation training.
- Dance/NYC: Dance/NYC is a nonprofit service organization that provides research, programs, and advocacy to support the dance field, with significant equity-focused programming and resources. It is directly comparable to artEquity as a discipline-adjacent arts service organization with equity-centered programming and BIPOC leadership support.
- The Woke Coach: The Woke Coach is a DEI facilitation and coaching firm founded in 2018 by Seena Hodges, who also serves as a Core Facilitator at artEquity. It directly competes with artEquity in providing facilitation services at the intersection of equity, diversity, inclusion, and antiracism for arts and culture organizations.
Broad incumbents
- Theatre Communications Group: TCG is the national organization for the American theatre, serving as a hub for resources, advocacy, and professional development for theatres and theatre-makers. It is broadly comparable to artEquity as a national theatre-sector service organization, though it operates across a much wider portfolio and serves the field at large rather than centering BIPOC leadership development.
- Americans for the Arts: Americans for the Arts is a national nonprofit that provides research, advocacy, training, and capacity-building services to the arts sector. Comparable to artEquity as a national arts capacity-building and training organization, but operates across all arts disciplines and constituencies rather than focusing specifically on BIPOC arts leadership.
Emerging players
- National New Play Network: National New Play Network is a national alliance of theatres dedicated to the development and production of new plays, with programs supporting playwrights including Black playwright initiatives. Comparable to artEquity in supporting playwright development and new play creation, though it focuses specifically on production pipelines rather than facilitation training and BIPOC leadership support.
Others
- Grantmakers in the Arts: Grantmakers in the Arts is a national membership association of arts funders that provides research, advocacy, and convening for arts philanthropy. Comparable to artEquity as an ecosystem participant in the arts equity funding landscape, though it serves funders rather than artists and arts organizations directly.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
artEquity social profiles
Digital presenceartEquity financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
artEquity leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
artEquity funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
artEquity 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 artEquity
What does artEquity do?
artEquity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers training programs, facilitation, consulting, convenings, and direct fiscal support for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists, art leaders, and arts organizations. Its offerings include cohort-based leadership and board training, antiracism intensives, playwrights gatherings, wellness initiatives, the Talking Back web series, and the Artist + Activist Community Fund providing grants and fiscal sponsorship to BIPOC artists.
Is artEquity a public or private company?
artEquity is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was artEquity founded?
artEquity was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is artEquity based?
artEquity is headquartered in Pasadena, United States, in the North America region.
How does artEquity make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Government Grants and program Registration Fees.
Who are artEquity's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RaceForward, National Black Theatre, New England Foundation for the Arts, National Performance Network, Dance/NYC and The Woke Coach. Broad incumbents are Theatre Communications Group and Americans for the Arts. National New Play Network is listed as an emerging player. Grantmakers in the Arts is listed as an others.
Does artEquity have an API?
No public API is recorded for artEquity.
What industry is artEquity in?
artEquity's product category is Arts Equity Training and Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs, with a secondary code of BPAGAHAI, Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8600.