Ames Center

What Ames Center does

The Ames Center is a municipal performing arts venue and event facility located at 12600 Nicollet Avenue in Burnsville, Minnesota, owned by the City of Burnsville and operated under management by VenuWorks, one of the three largest public assembly management firms in the United States. Opened in January 2009 at a construction cost of $20 million, the venue is a mature operational asset (formerly the Burnsville Performing Arts Center) with no funding rounds, no equity investors, and no external ownership stakes. Its primary physical assets are the 1,014-seat Masquerade Dance Theater (with a 45-foot deep by 100-foot wide stage) and a 150-seat Black Box Theater, supported by a 2,000-square-foot Art Gallery, an 1,800-square-foot Rehearsal Room with sprung maple floor, a 4,000-square-foot Second Floor Atrium, a VIP Suite, meeting rooms, and a 350-space free parking deck.

The center generates revenue through three principal streams: ticket sales (via an in-house Box Office and an exclusive Ticketmaster online partnership, with a $4 per-transaction Box Office fee), venue rentals for weddings, corporate events, and receptions (managed by a Director of Sales and Events with a $500 non-refundable deposit), and in-house catering and bar services (with mandatory Ames Center staff for all alcohol service and preferred caterers for food). Its ecosystem is anchored by two resident nonprofit organizations — Twin Cities Ballet and Dakota Valley Symphony — which provide consistent programming, while national touring acts fill the remaining calendar. The venue differentiates on physical infrastructure quality, accessibility features (ASL interpreters, assisted listening devices, the Sensory-Relaxed performance series funded by the Minnesota State Arts Board), and operational expertise inherited from VenuWorks' portfolio of 50+ venues across 12 states.

The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer: ticket buyers purchase through Box Office or Ticketmaster, while corporate and private event clients are sourced through a dedicated Sales & Events Manager. Marketing channels include the official website, Ticketmaster email list, downloadable seasonal program guides, and group sales programs including a Super Group Program for corporate employee discounts. No AI/ML capabilities, proprietary technology platform, mobile app, or third-party software integrations are present in the source data; the operation is a traditional venue business whose competitive position rests on physical assets, location, and management expertise rather than technology.

Name

Ames Center

Legal name

Ames Center

Website

https://ames-center.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Ames Center is a municipal performing arts venue in Burnsville, Minnesota, operated by VenuWorks on behalf of the City of Burnsville, hosting live performances, community events, weddings, and corporate rentals across a 1,014-seat theater and multiple event spaces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue and Event Hosting Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE), Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Event hosting services
• Venue rental services
• Ticketed live performances
• Convention and banquet facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Burnsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: The Ames Center sells tickets for events through its Box Office and Ticketmaster, charging a $4 transaction fee per purchase at the Box Office. Ticketmaster fees vary by performance.
2. Venue Rentals: The venue generates revenue from renting its spaces including the Masquerade Dance Theater, Black Box Theater, Second Floor Atrium, VIP Suite, Art Gallery, Rehearsal Room, Meeting Rooms, and Green Room for events, weddings, corporate functions, and performances.
3. Catering and Beverage Services: The Ames Center provides bar service and bartenders for events. All beer, wine, and spirits must be served by Ames Center staff. Preferred caterers are available for food service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Ames Center is a multipurpose performing arts and event venue that operates performance, rehearsal, and event spaces for ticketed live entertainment, weddings, corporate events, and receptions. It earns revenue through ticket sales for self-presented and resident-company performances, venue rental contracts, and on-site bar and catering services. The facility is owned by the City of Burnsville and managed by VenuWorks.

Product overview

The Ames Center is a multipurpose performing arts venue and event facility operated by VenuWorks in Burnsville, Minnesota. The venue offers multiple distinct spaces including the Masquerade Dance Theater (1,014 seats) as its primary performance venue, the Black Box Theater (150 seats) for intimate productions, a 2,000-square-foot Art Gallery, an 1,800-square-foot Rehearsal Room with dance facilities, Second Floor Atrium for receptions, VIP Suite, and Meeting Rooms. The center hosts its resident company Twin Cities Ballet performances including Sensory-Relaxed shows, while providing event rental and catering services for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions. Ticketing services include group discounts and the Super Group Program for corporate partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Masquerade Dance Theater A 1,014-seat proscenium theater (759 Orchestra and 255 Balcony) with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, a 45-foot deep by 100-foot wide stage, and a 48-foot proscenium opening; used for touring productions, resident company performances, and large events.
• Black Box Theater An intimate, fully open-flexible theater space with up to 150 seats, ideal for smaller productions and event space requirements.
• Event Hosting Services (Venue Rentals & Catering) Rental and catering services for weddings, corporate events, banquets, trade shows, and special events across multiple venue spaces, including the Masquerade Dance Theater, Black Box Theater, Art Gallery, Rehearsal Room, Second Floor Atrium, VIP Suite, and Meeting Rooms; includes in-house bar service with Ames Center bartenders and access to preferred caterers.
• Art Gallery A 2,000-square-foot gallery with spacious white walls and dark natural wood flooring, used for visual arts exhibits and small private receptions.
• Rehearsal Room An 1,800-square-foot space with mirrors, ballet barres, and a sprung maple floor, available for dance rehearsals and rental.
• Second Floor Atrium A 4,000-square-foot open lobby space with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of Nicollet Commons Park and the Minneapolis skyline, suitable for receptions up to 200 people.
• VIP Suite A private VIP setting on the second floor atrium with views to the Minneapolis cityscape, suitable for board meetings, intimate formal dining, and Meet and Greet opportunities.
• Meeting Rooms Flexible meeting space that can be divided in half with an air wall or opened completely, accommodating classroom setups and hollow square table designs.
• Twin Cities Ballet Performances Professional ballet performances by the resident Twin Cities Ballet company, including original full-length and shorter story ballets, contemporary ballet-based works, and Sensory-Relaxed performances; offered to performing arts attendees in the Twin Cities region.
• Group Discount Program Group ticket discounts for parties of 10+ attendees, plus the Super Group Program offering companies discounted tickets for employees; discount levels vary per show.
• Relaxed Performances Sensory-friendly, relaxed performance format with modulated sensory elements, house lights on, designated quiet zones, and introductions with performers for audience members with sensory sensitivities.

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VenuWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009VenuWorks is the management company for the Ames Center. VenuWorks provides services and solutions for management, programming, marketing, dining, ticketing, and operations to over 50 venues across twelve states. It is one of the three largest public assembly management firms in the United States, guiding activities of 40 venues across the country.
• Twin Cities BalletcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwin Cities Ballet is a resident 501(c)(3) non-profit professional dance company at the Ames Center. TCB creates original full-length and shorter story ballets, as well as more abstract contemporary ballet-based works. It is one of the leading ballet companies in Minnesota and is also a leader in addressing issues of accessibility and inclusivity in ballet.
• Dakota Valley SymphonycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDakota Valley Symphony is a resident performing arts organization at the Ames Center.
• TicketmastercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTicketmaster is the official online ticket purchasing partner for the Ames Center. It is the ONLY authentic online purchasing agent for tickets to shows at the Ames Center.
• Crave CateringminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred caterer for events at the Ames Center. Contact: 952-565-5620
• Mediterranean Cruise CaféminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred caterer for events at the Ames Center. Contact: 952-641-6222
• Minnesota State Arts BoardminorOthersThe relaxed performance is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC): Larger Newark-based nonprofit performing arts center with multiple venues, resident companies, and educational programming. Comparable nonprofit PAC operating model but at materially greater scale and capacity than Ames Center.
• Pabst Theater Group: Milwaukee-based operator of multiple historic performance venues (Pabst Theater, Riverside Theater, Turner Hall). Comparable multi-venue management approach and similar market positioning to VenuWorks-managed Ames Center.
• State Theatre (Minneapolis): Historic Minneapolis performance venue presenting concerts, comedy, and touring acts. Adjacent peer within the Twin Cities market competing for the same regional touring content and audiences.

Direct peers

• Ordway Center for the Performing Arts: Saint Paul, MN-based performing arts center similarly presenting touring Broadway, music, and resident orchestra programming. Most directly comparable Twin Cities-area peer in scale and municipal/nonprofit governance model.
• Paramount Theatre (Cedar Rapids): Restored historic Cedar Rapids performing arts venue presenting touring Broadway, concerts, and community events. Comparable mid-market municipal PAC profile and programming mix.
• Overture Center for the Arts: Madison, WI-based multi-venue performing arts center with comparable mid-market size, multiple performance halls, gallery spaces, and rental/event hosting. Comparable programming breadth and venue diversification.
• Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC): Mid-sized (~1,300 seat) municipal performing arts center in Morristown, NJ presenting national touring acts, resident companies, and community programming. Closest analog to Ames Center in facility mix and suburban municipal ownership.
• Marcus Performing Arts Center: Milwaukee, WI-based multi-theater performing arts campus presenting touring Broadway, concerts, and family shows. Comparable multi-space campus model with shared management and rental operations.
• Des Moines Civic Center: Iowa's principal performing arts venue hosting Broadway tours, concerts, and resident programming under similar municipal/nonprofit structure with comparable seating capacity to Ames Center.
• Palace Theatre (Saint Paul): Recently restored Saint Paul performance venue presenting concerts, comedy, and private events. Comparable mid-sized market venue competing for live entertainment in the Twin Cities catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ames_center
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmesCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ames-center

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 Ames Center