What Mark Arts does

Mark Arts is a nonprofit arts organization headquartered at 1307 N. Rock Road in Wichita, Kansas, operating as a regional visual-arts center. The organization delivers programming across weekly art classes (drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, enameling, wheel throwing), culinary workshops in an on-site Culinary Studio, STEAM Academy for K-12, rotating gallery exhibitions, and signature annual events including the 57-year-old Holiday Tables fundraiser, the CRAVE Culinary Festival, and Versus live art battles. Supporting amenities include the Weidemann Gallery, School of Creativity, an outdoor Sculpture Garden with 13 sculptures across approximately one mile of walking paths, and a Study Collection of more than 3,600 works focused on regional artists such as Doel Reed, Edmund Linton Davison, Bruce Moore, and David Salle.

Revenue is generated through eight distinct streams: membership dues (annual subscriptions), event tickets and admission (e.g., Holiday Tables $12/person, ARTrageous Party $100–$175/person), classes and workshops (Make Your Mark at $42/person), venue rentals (weddings, corporate events, private parties), CRAVE Culinary Festival transactions, artwork sales via on-site shop and Holiday Tables Art Boutique, corporate sponsorships (Flagship-tier Bomhoff Foundation, Cox, Textron Aviation, Mariner Wealth Advisors), and Study Collection institutional loans. Pricing is predominantly unit-based with a freemium layer (free Yoga in the Gallery, free school tours) and an annual membership subscription. The organization's 150+-member Designing Women volunteer auxiliary, established 1990, underwrites Holiday Tables execution.

Technology infrastructure is entirely third-party SaaS: Blackbaud for ticketing, registration, donations, and membership enrollment; Shopify for artwork e-commerce; Constant Contact for email marketing; Threshold360 for the virtual tour; and Google/iCalendar/Outlook for calendar syndication. No proprietary technology, no AI/ML capabilities, and no developer API are disclosed. The organization uses community-led and event-driven go-to-market: free school tours drive educational reach, the Designing Women network drives fundraising, and flagship sponsorships anchor major events. The corporate entity is a private nonprofit with no parent company, no subsidiaries, no funding rounds, and no disclosed M&A activity; governance rests on a board of directors and volunteer leadership.

Name

Mark Arts

Legal name

Mark Arts

Website

https://markartsks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mark Arts is a Wichita, Kansas nonprofit arts center operating galleries, studios, a culinary kitchen, sculpture garden, and Study Collection, serving community members, schools, and corporate clients through classes, exhibitions, signature fundraisers, and venue rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts and Cultural Center

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Centers & Multidisciplinary Arts Institutions (THAJADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Art Museums (THAJADAA), Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD)

Keywords

• Arts education
• Art exhibitions
• Culinary workshops
• Venue rentals
• Community arts center

Headquarters

HQ city

Wichita

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, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership program offering discounted tuition, exclusive invitations, and other member benefits
2. Event Tickets and Admission: Revenue from Holiday Tables exhibit ($12/person), special events like ARTrageous Party ($100-$175/person), CRAVE Culinary Festival events, and general admission to exhibitions
3. Classes and Workshops: Revenue from art classes, culinary workshops, STEAM Academy, and Make Your Mark workshops. Pricing varies by program (e.g., $42 for Make Your Mark workshops)
4. Venue Rentals: Rental income from private events including art parties, culinary parties, weddings, corporate events, and special events
5. CRAVE Culinary Festival: Four-day culinary festival featuring libation events, cooking classes, and foodie fair ($25 admission). Ticket prices range from $50-$110 for various dining experiences
6. Artwork Sales: Sales of original artwork through on-site shop and Holiday Tables Art Boutique featuring local artists and artisans
7. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for events including Holiday Tables and CRAVE Culinary Festival from companies like Bomhoff Foundation, Cox, Mariner Wealth Advisors, Textron Aviation, and others
8. Study Collection Loans: Loan program partnering with other institutions to increase public access to Study Collection objects for art education purposes

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mark Arts operates as a nonprofit arts center providing visual and culinary arts education through weekly classes, workshops, and STEAM programs for all ages. The organization maintains rotating gallery exhibitions, a permanent Study Collection of over 3,600 works, an outdoor Sculpture Garden, and signature annual events including the Holiday Tables fundraiser and CRAVE Culinary Festival. It also rents its facilities for private events such as weddings, corporate functions, and art parties.

Product overview

Mark Arts is Wichita's premier arts center offering a comprehensive portfolio of arts programming through multiple interconnected products and services. The core offerings include weekly art classes and culinary workshops for all skill levels, STEAM Academy programs for children, and Make Your Mark workshops inspired by master artists. The institution maintains a Study Collection of over 3,600 works and operates rotating gallery exhibitions including the annual National Watercolor Exhibition. Outdoor amenities include a Sculpture Garden with 13 sculptures along walking paths. Major annual signature events include the Holiday Tables fundraiser, CRAVE Culinary Festival, and Versus live art competitions. Supporting services include School and Group Tours (free for educational groups), a Membership Program, Private Event Rentals, Artwork Authentication & Appraisals, and an Exhibition Proposal Program for artists. Wellness-oriented offerings like Yoga in the Gallery and Sound Bath in the Gallery complement the arts programming. The Designing Women auxiliary group (150+ volunteers) primarily supports the Holiday Tables fundraiser. All programs are facilitated through a digital infrastructure including Shopify e-commerce, Blackbaud ticketing, and Constant Contact marketing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekly Art Classes Ongoing instructional classes in various art disciplines including drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, enameling, and wheel throwing for all skill levels, offered through the School of Creativity at the Wichita facility.
• Culinary Workshops Hands-on cooking and culinary arts classes taught by local chefs and culinary professionals in the on-site Culinary Studio, including special ticketed classes such as CRAVE Culinary Arts: Breakfast for Dinner.
• STEAM Academy Educational programs combining Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics for children in grades K-12, often featuring community partners such as the National Weather Service for programs like Forecasting Fun.
• Make Your Mark Workshops Beginner-friendly art workshops at $42 per person featuring famous artworks (e.g., Monet, Georgia O'Keeffe, Van Gogh) where participants create their own interpretations; 2-hour sessions with all supplies included.
• Study Collection A collection of over 3,600 works of art focusing on regional and local artists, including drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures, ceramics, enamels, and jewelry, used for exhibitions, study, and education. Notable artists include Edmund Linton Davison, Karl Mattern, Bruce Moore, Doel Reed, James Gross, Robert Morgan Kiskadden, and David Salle.
• Exhibitions Rotating gallery exhibitions featuring local, regional, and national artists in the Weidemann Gallery, including the annual National Watercolor Exhibition, Scholastic Art Awards, and themed exhibitions such as Land That I Love and Subcreators.
• Holiday Tables Annual four-day holiday fundraiser featuring elaborately designed tablescapes, special events such as Girls' Night Out and ARTrageous Party, an art boutique with local artists, and raffles. Celebrated its 57th year in 2024 and raised more than $180,000 for Mark Arts.
• CRAVE Culinary Festival Annual multi-day culinary festival featuring libation events, cooking workshops, demonstrations, and a Saturday Foodie Fair with local restaurants, chefs, and culinary partners such as VinZant Wines, Norton's Brewing Company, and Keeper's Heart Whiskey.
• Sculpture Garden An outdoor sculpture garden featuring 13 sculptures spread across approximately one mile of walking paths, available for self-guided tours on the Mark Arts campus.
• Private Event Rentals Venue rentals for private functions including Private Art Parties, Private Culinary Parties, Weddings, Corporate Events, and Special Events held at the Mark Arts Wichita facility.
• Exhibition Proposal Program Program accepting exhibition proposals from artists, curators, and organizations; the Exhibition Task Force reviews proposals annually for exhibitions occurring two or more years out.
• Artwork Authentication & Appraisals Professional authentication and appraisal services for artwork, providing valuation and authenticity verification for collectors and artists.
• Study Collection Loan Program Art loan program partnering with other institutions to increase public access to Study Collection objects for educational exhibitions; institutions must provide facilities report and ensure loan safety.
• Membership Program Annual membership program providing benefits including discounted tuition on classes and workshops, exclusive invitations to events, and other member perks.
• Versus: A Live Art Battle Competitive live art event where artists create artwork in real-time, judged before a live audience; includes student versions for younger artists.

Quantifiable outcome

• Holiday Tables 2024 raised more than $180,000 for Mark Arts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Integration8 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• The BelmontminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 August 2026Partnership with The Belmont for Gallery Dinner events held in the Weidemann Gallery. Features four-course meals with speakers, including 2025 Versus Winners Elisabeth Owens & John Pirtle.
• The PhoenixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Phoenix provides licensed yoga instructors for free weekly Yoga in the Gallery sessions held in the gallery spaces and Great Hall. Program is open to all levels with participants bringing their own mats.
• Wichita Area Camera ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosting 75th anniversary exhibition featuring 21 photographers with guest participation from Derby Camera Club. Commemorates 250th anniversary of the United States.
• Derby Camera ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest participation in Wichita Area Camera Club's 75th anniversary exhibition at Mark Arts.
• National Weather ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Partner for STEAM Academy: Forecasting Fun program exploring weather effects on environment through artistic lens for grades K-5.
• Wichita State University Lowell D. Holmes Museum of AnthropologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt Together: Discovering the Maasai program held at museum featuring story time, hands-on art project, and cultural performances by Wichita African Union.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Holidays Around the World event featuring Living Museum showcase and cultural performances organized by IRC.
• Wichita Youth Symphony OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents perform instrumental quartet and full orchestra excerpts from Spirit of the Season holiday concert for Holidays Around the World event.
• Bomhoff FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor for Holiday Tables 2025. Major foundation supporter of the annual fundraiser.
• CoxflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier Sponsor for Holiday Tables 2025.
• Textron AviationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier Sponsor for Holiday Tables 2025 and Gold Sponsor for CRAVE Culinary Festival.
• Mariner Wealth AdvisorsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier Sponsor for Holiday Tables 2025.
• INTRUST BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor for CRAVE Culinary Festival.
• KPMGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor for CRAVE Culinary Festival.
• Delta Dental of KansascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor for CRAVE Culinary Festival.
• 6 MeridiancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Sponsor for CRAVE Culinary Festival.
• Baker BottscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor for CRAVE Culinary Festival.
• Spirit AeroSystemscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor for CRAVE Culinary Festival.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wichita Art Museum: Wichita's premier art museum focused on American art, with permanent collections, rotating exhibitions, and educational programming. It is the most direct comparable to Mark Arts within the same Wichita market, competing for the same regional audience, donors, and corporate sponsors.
• Hyde Park Art Center: Community-based contemporary art center in Chicago offering exhibitions, classes, and artist residencies. Comparable as a multi-purpose nonprofit arts center combining gallery programming, art education, and community engagement.
• Ulrich Museum of Art (Wichita State University): University-affiliated art museum at Wichita State with a collection of over 7,000 works, contemporary exhibitions, and educational programming. Comparable as a Wichita-based arts institution competing for the same student, family, and corporate audiences.
• Torpedo Factory Art Center: Multi-disciplinary community arts center in Alexandria, VA housing studios, galleries, classrooms, and event spaces for working artists. Comparable as a hybrid arts center offering classes, exhibitions, retail, and rentals under one roof — a strong model analog to Mark Arts.

Regional players

• Exploration Place: Wichita's science and discovery center with exhibits, IMAX theater, and STEAM-focused programming. Comparable as a regional nonprofit that competes for family audiences, school field trips, and STEAM-oriented grants and sponsorships in the Wichita market.
• Wichita Symphony Orchestra: Regional symphony offering live performances, education programs, and community events in Wichita. Comparable as a Wichita nonprofit cultural institution with similar revenue mix (ticket sales, memberships, corporate sponsorships, gala fundraisers).
• Music Theatre Wichita: Wichita-based professional musical theatre producing seasonal Broadway-caliber productions and youth programming. Comparable as a Wichita performing-arts nonprofit dependent on ticket revenue, sponsorships, and seasonal event programming.
• Botanica Wichita: Wichita botanical garden and cultural attraction offering themed gardens, events, and educational programming. Comparable as a Wichita-based nonprofit cultural institution dependent on memberships, event revenue, and corporate sponsorships.

Broad incumbents

• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: Major regional art museum in Kansas City with extensive collections, educational programming, and large-scale fundraising events. Comparable as a higher-resource regional arts institution that competes for Midwest audiences and major corporate sponsorships.
• Spencer Museum of Art (University of Kansas): University art museum in Lawrence, KS with a collection of nearly 40,000 works, exhibitions, and educational programs. Comparable as a Kansas-based arts institution serving overlapping Midwest academic and cultural audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/markartsks
• Instagraminstagram.com/markartsks
• Xx.com/markartsks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Mark Arts