Association of Performing Arts Presenters

What Association of Performing Arts Presenters does

APAP (Association of Performing Arts Professionals) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 1957 that serves as the national service, advocacy, and membership organization for the performing arts presenting, booking, and touring field in the United States. The organization connects 1,600+ organizational and individual members representing more than 5,000 performing arts professionals, including presenting organizations, artists, agents, managers, arts service organizations, vendors, and consultants. APAP is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with a staff of approximately 12 people, and operates under President and CEO Lisa Richards Toney (appointed July 2020, the sixth leader in the organization's history).

APAP's core products and services center on the annual APAP|NYC conference — recognized as the world's leading convening for the performing arts industry, featuring 1,000+ showcases, professional development sessions, an EXPO Hall, and networking events every January in New York City. The technology stack includes a member portal, the APAP Live Performance Calendar (a multidisciplinary showcase of member events), the APAP Job Bank (200,000 annual pageviews, the most-visited section of the website), the APAP|365 year-round programming platform launched in fall 2022, and the Arts Compensation Project — a proprietary data platform providing staffing, compensation, and benefits benchmarking across municipal, festival, college/university, and independent presenters. Additional programs include the Emerging Leadership Institute, Young Performers Career Advancement Program, Leadership Fellows Program, Affinity Groups, Building Ethical and Equitable Partnerships (BEEP), and the APAP Honors awards ceremony.

APAP's revenue model is diversified across five streams: membership dues ($60-$475+ across tiers including Presenter, Artist/Agent/Manager, Support Organization, Vendor, Consultant, SAMP, Artist Access, iPAP, Student, and Emeritus), conference revenue (registration fees, EXPO Hall exhibitor booth rentals, sponsorship tiers), advertising and sponsorship (Spotlights bi-weekly newsletter banner ads at $500+, sponsored content emails at $900, Live Performance Calendar banner ads at $300-$400/month, and conference eNews ads at $600+), donations and grants (including a $55,000 NEA Grants for Arts Projects award in 2021), and unit-priced services (O and P visa consultation letters at $100). The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, with the annual conference serving as the primary acquisition channel. Members are acquired through peer referral, conference experience, and advocacy representation.

Name

Association of Performing Arts Presenters

Legal name

Association of Performing Arts Professionals

Website

https://apap365.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

APAP is the national 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association serving the U.S. performing arts presenting, booking, and touring field, connecting 1,600+ member organizations representing 5,000+ professionals through its annual APAP|NYC conference, year-round programming, and advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Industry Association & Membership Services

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Performing arts membership
• Arts industry advocacy
• Performing arts conference
• Booking touring network
• Arts professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: APAP generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues from organizational and individual members. Organizational memberships range from $300 and up for presenters and artist/agent/manager categories, $450 for vendors and consultants, and $475 for support organizations. Individual memberships include $100 for Individual Performing Arts Professionals and Artist Access members, $60 for students, and $0 for emeritus members. The membership base of 1,600+ organizational and individual members forms the financial foundation of the organization.
2. Conference Revenue: APAP|NYC annual conference generates revenue through registration fees (additional registration fees beyond membership), exhibitor booth rentals in the EXPO Hall, and conference sponsorship packages. Tiered level sponsorships support APAP events and platforms. The conference is described as the world's leading gathering of performing arts professionals.
3. Advertising and Sponsorship: Year-round advertising opportunities including banner ads in the Spotlights bi-weekly e-newsletter (sent to 5,000+ members, 50% average open rate) starting at $500 per ad, sponsored content emails to 7,000+ professionals at $900 per email, live performance calendar banner advertising at $300-$400/month, and conference eNews advertising at $600 per ad. Sponsorship tiers for the APAP|NYC conference are also a significant revenue stream.
4. Donations and Grants: APAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that accepts charitable donations. General donations, sustaining monthly gifts, appreciated stock transfers, Donor Advised Fund grants, IRA rollovers (up to $100,000 annually), and legacy bequests are accepted. The organization received a $55,000 NEA Grants for Arts Projects award in 2021 to support the 'APAP Leads' professional development program. In 2022, the nonprofit arts industry generated $151.7 billion in economic activity.
5. Visa Assistance Services: APAP offers peer visa consultation letters for members applying for O and P temporary employment visa categories. The fee for letters is $100 payable by check or credit card. This service is available to active APAP organizational members only and adds additional support to visa petitions for international artist bookings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

APAP is the national service, advocacy and membership organization for the performing arts presenting, booking and touring field. It sells annual memberships to performing arts organizations and individuals, and operates the world's leading performing arts convening (APAP|NYC), along with year-round professional development programs, industry research (Arts Compensation Project), networking platforms, and federal advocacy on behalf of the field.

Product overview

APAP (Association of Performing Arts Professionals) is the national service, advocacy and membership organization for the live performing arts field. The organization offers a unified membership-based service model centered around its flagship APAP|NYC Conference—the world's leading annual convening for the performing arts industry. The portfolio includes professional development programs (Emerging Leadership Institute, Leadership Fellows Program, Young Performers Career Advancement Program), research initiatives (Arts Compensation Project), networking platforms (APAP|365, Affinity Groups), and member services (Job Bank, Live Performance Calendar, Podcast, Visa Assistance). APAP also recognizes industry leaders through The APAP Honors awards program. The organization serves over 1,600 organizational and individual members representing more than 5,000 performing arts professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• APAP Membership Annual membership program for performing arts organizations and individuals, providing networking, professional development, advocacy support, the APAP Live Performance Calendar, the APAP Job Bank, affinity group access, conference discounts, and access to year-round programming. Membership tiers include Presenter ($300+), Artist/Agent/Manager ($300+), Support Organization ($475), Vendor/Consultant ($450), SAMP ($300), iPAP ($100), Artist Access ($100), Student ($60), and Emeritus ($0).
• APAP|NYC Conference The annual APAP|NYC conference is the world's leading convening for the performing arts industry, held every January at the New York Hilton Midtown. It features 1,000+ performing arts showcases, professional development sessions, the EXPO Hall, and networking events. APAP|NYC 2024 and 2025 each attracted the largest post-COVID attendance. The conference includes the UP NEXT! Artist Pitch Session, APAP Honors awards, and serves as the primary member acquisition and engagement channel.
• Emerging Leadership Institute A leadership development program helping emerging arts professionals develop critical leadership skills and tools to advance their careers in the performing arts field. Application cycles open annually ahead of the APAP|NYC conference.
• Young Performers Career Advancement Program (YPCA) A program designed for emerging classical musicians offering unparalleled access to presenters, managers, agents, and industry leaders. The program features an annual showcase at Carnegie Hall and is delivered in collaboration with partner organizations.
• Leadership Fellows Program An intensive cohort-based leadership program cultivating leaders in the performing arts industry for emerging and seasoned professionals.
• Arts Compensation Project A research initiative providing presenting organizations and venues access to real-time staffing, compensation, and benefits data to inform decision-making and strengthen the performing arts workforce. Delivered as a 60-page Data and Trend Report available exclusively to APAP members, covering municipal, festival, college/university, and independent presenters.
• APAP Honors Annual awards ceremony recognizing and celebrating trailblazers and visionaries in the performing arts field. Awardees are honored during the APAP|NYC conference each January.
• APAP Job Bank An online job board showcasing performing arts field jobs from around the country, with discounted posting rates for APAP members. The Job Bank is the most popular page on APAP's website with 200,000 annual pageviews.
• APAP Live Performance Calendar A growing, multidisciplinary online showcase of in-person and online performances and events, fueled by the APAP member community. Event submission is an exclusive member benefit, and calendar banner advertising is sold at $300-$400/month.
• APAP Podcast An audio programming series featuring discussions on important topics and trends within the performing arts presenting, booking, and touring industry. Distributed through the website and major podcast platforms.
• Affinity Groups Member-only groups offering opportunities to connect and build community with peers based on similar roles, organizations, or personal identities. Groups include Agents and Managers, Artists, Black Arts Professionals, LatinX Professionals, and LGBTQIA2S+ Arts Professionals, among others.
• Visa Assistance Peer visa consultation letters for members applying for O and P temporary employment visa categories for international artist bookings. Fee is $100 payable by check or credit card. Available to active APAP organizational members only.
• UP NEXT! Artist Pitch Session A program at the APAP|NYC conference where artists, agents, producers, and managers pitch new, tour-ready projects to industry professionals.
• APAP|365 Year-Round Programming Year-round programming platform providing tools and initiatives including Real Talk in Real Time sessions, affinity groups, learning sessions, webinars, and professional development opportunities for members between conferences.
• Building Ethical and Equitable Partnerships (BEEP) An initiative exploring a more ethical and equitable approach to relationships in the performing arts industry, built upon ethical, equitable, and transparent practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• APAP|NYC 2024 and 2025 attracted the largest attendance post-COVID, reaffirming the conference's status as the world's most influential gathering of performing arts professionals.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alliance of Performing Arts Conferences (APAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAC consists of representatives from the nation's regional performing arts conferences. APAP is a member of APAC, which meets annually to discuss trends in the field and identify common areas of improvement. APAC member organizations include Arts Northwest, ArtsReady, Folk Alliance International, NAPAMA, NCPC, IPAY, and Western Arts Alliance.
• Americans for the Arts / Arts Action FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAP is part of the Performing Arts Alliance (PAA), a coalition led by Americans for the Arts that represents performing arts members' interests before the U.S. Congress, the White House and federal agencies. APAP members receive free membership to Americans for the Arts' Arts Action Fund at the Advocate level.
• League of American OrchestrascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAP co-hosts ArtistsfromAbroad.org with the League of American Orchestras. This website provides guidance and tips on securing visas for foreign guest artists, as well as the latest rules and regulations, downloadable toolboxes, worksheets, forms and links.
• TamizdatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTamizdat is a nonprofit organization that facilitates and advocates for international artist mobility and cultural exchange. APAP references Tamizdat as a resource for visa assistance and international artist booking support alongside ArtistsfromAbroad.org.
• ArtsReadyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArtsReady is a web-based emergency preparedness platform designed to provide arts and cultural organizations with customized business continuity plans. APAP member organizations may join ArtsReady for just $150 for their first year — a 50% discount — through APAP's affinity membership benefit.
• New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAP partners with NEFA on the National Dance Presenters Forum, an immersive professional development experience held at Jacob's Pillow. NEFA is also referenced in the field partners listing under regional arts organizations.
• JanArtsNYC / Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (NYC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAP partners with the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment on JanArtsNYC, an annual collection of world-class public performances and innovative industry gatherings taking place throughout January at various NYC venues. JanArtsNYC has been running for 10+ years and aligns with APAP|NYC.
• National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAP partnered with NIVA and the Event Safety Alliance on 'Safe In Sound,' a reopening checklist for the live entertainment industry. APAP is also part of the broader coalition that advocated for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program.
• International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISPA is a field partner organization. APAP board member Alicia Adams serves as a trustee of ISPA, and APAP co-hosted the ISPA Congress in NYC in 2017. ISPA runs the annual ISPA Congress, a major international performing arts convening.
• Creative & Independent Producer Alliance (CIPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAP and CIPA co-presented the inaugural CIPA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Creative Producing at the 2022 APAP Awards, recognizing excellence in creative producing within the performing arts industry.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Theatre Communications Group (TCG): National service organization for the American theater, providing advocacy, career development, and networking for nonprofit theaters. Directly comparable as a peer service/advocacy/membership organization for a performing arts sector with overlapping membership and conference programming.
• League of American Orchestras: National service organization for American orchestras. APAP co-hosts ArtistsfromAbroad.org with the League of American Orchestras, indicating direct collaboration. Comparable as a broader performing arts service organization with membership and advocacy functions, though focused on a specific discipline (orchestras).

Direct peers

• Folk Alliance International: Membership organization for the folk music industry that hosts the annual Folk Alliance International Conference. APAC member organization. Comparable as a peer conference/membership organization serving a specific performing arts sector with a major annual gathering.
• Arts Northwest: Pacific Northwest performing arts booking conference and trade association. APAC member organization with a regional conference model similar to APAP|NYC. Comparable as a regional peer running an annual booking conference and membership services.
• International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY): Membership organization serving the performing arts for youth sector, hosting the annual Showcase conference. APAC member organization. Comparable as a peer membership association running a sector-specific conference and serving overlapping presenter and artist members.
• International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA): Global membership organization for performing arts leaders that hosts the annual ISPA Congress. APAP co-hosted the 2017 ISPA Congress in NYC and APAP board member Alicia Adams serves as ISPA trustee. Directly comparable as a peer membership association serving performing arts presenters and managers.
• National Association of Performing Arts Managers and Agents (NAPAMA): Trade association for performing arts managers and agents. APAC member organization serving one of APAP's core membership segments (agents and managers). Comparable as a membership association with overlapping membership base and conference programming.
• National Council for the Performing Arts (NCPC): Network of performing arts presenting conferences. APAC member organization. Comparable as a peer umbrella structure connecting regional performing arts conferences, with overlapping membership and conference models.
• Western Arts Alliance: Regional performing arts booking conference and membership organization serving the western US. Member of the Alliance of Performing Arts Conferences (APAC) alongside APAP. Comparable as a peer conference presenting organization with overlapping membership and conference-based business model.
• Performing Arts Alliance (PAA): Coalition of national performing arts service organizations led by Americans for the Arts. APAP is a member and APAP members receive free Arts Action Fund membership through this coalition. Comparable as a peer advocacy organization in the performing arts space with overlapping member base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/apap365
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCVlD0kkZ9FQuo0WLR0WPEYQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/apapnyc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-performing-arts-professionals
• Instagraminstagram.com/APAP365

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Association of Performing Arts Presenters