The Trust Performing Arts Center

What The Trust Performing Arts Center does

The Trust Performing Arts Center is a nonprofit performing arts venue operated as an affiliate of Lancaster Bible College, located at 37 N. Market Street in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The center occupies a historic 1912 Beaux-Arts building designed by architect C. Emlen Urban and houses multiple performance spaces including The Great Hall (the primary concert and recital venue noted for acoustics), the Black Box Theatre, the Square Halo Gallery, and a historic board room. A secondary 1,200+ seat venue, Good Shepherd Chapel, is operated on the LBC main campus. Programming spans concerts, theatrical productions, dance performances, lectures, and contemporary art exhibitions, with a faith-inspired mission to cultivate beauty, goodness, and truth through the arts.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack combining transactional ticket sales, recurring season memberships (offering 20% savings on Arts & Culture events), subscription-style ticket packages (You Pick 3 and You Pick 6), facility rentals for private and corporate events, electronic gift cards, individual donor circles (Rembrandt through Producer's Circle, $1 to $5,000+), and corporate sponsorships ($2,000 to $10,000 tiers). Distribution is direct via an in-house box office (in-person, phone, and online at lancastertrust.com), with marketing conducted through email newsletters, WDAC radio advertising, direct mail, social media, and community events including downtown First Fridays.

The organization serves a regional audience of arts enthusiasts, families, students, corporate clients, local arts organizations, and tourists in Lancaster County and southeastern Pennsylvania. It is anchored by Lancaster Bible College as the parent institution and supported by a dense partner ecosystem that includes resident companies (Durang Dance Collective, Reverie Actor's Company), programming collaborators (Lancaster International Piano Festival, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Opera Lancaster, Lancaster Art Song Society, Row House Forum), and corporate sponsors (WDAC 94.5 FM, Holiday Inn Lancaster, C'est La Vie). No venture funding, equity structure, or external capital is indicated; the entity is governed as a nonprofit affiliate of an academic institution.

Name

The Trust Performing Arts Center

Legal name

The Trust Performing Arts Center

Website

https://lancastertrust.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Trust Performing Arts Center is a nonprofit venue in downtown Lancaster, PA, operating a historic 1912 Beaux-Arts building with the Great Hall, Black Box Theatre, and Square Halo Gallery. Affiliated with Lancaster Bible College, it hosts concerts, theater, dance, and lectures, generating revenue through ticket sales, memberships, sponsorships, and venue rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Concert hall events
• Theater performances
• Venue rental services
• Arts and culture

Headquarters

HQ city

Lancaster

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, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Individual tickets sold for concerts, theater, dance performances, and lectures. Discounts available for groups (10+), seniors (65+), veterans, students, and student rush tickets ($10).
2. Season Memberships: Season memberships offering 20% savings on all Arts & Culture events with free access to events depending on membership level.
3. Ticket Packages: You Pick 6 and You Pick 3 package deals offering up to 15% savings on multiple events.
4. Facility/Event Space Rental: The Trust rents its spaces (Great Hall, Black Box Theatre, Gallery, Board Room) for private events, corporate gatherings, and community events.
5. Individual Sponsorship: Individual sponsorships at various levels ($1-$5,000+) including Producer's Circle, Director's Circle, Bach Circle, Shakespeare Circle, Balanchine Circle, and Rembrandt Circle with perks like tickets, parking, and donor gala invitations.
6. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorships at Season Sponsor ($10,000), Community Partner ($5,000), and Event Sponsor ($2,000-$2,500) levels with logo placement, acknowledgment, and complimentary tickets.
7. Gift Cards: Electronic gift cards sold in denominations from $5 to $500.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Trust Performing Arts Center operates a historic performing arts venue in downtown Lancaster, PA, hosting concerts, theater productions, dance performances, lectures, and visual art exhibitions across multiple spaces including the Great Hall, Black Box Theatre, and Square Halo Gallery. It generates revenue primarily through ticket sales, season memberships, ticket packages, facility rentals for private and corporate events, and corporate/individual sponsorships.

Product overview

The Trust Performing Arts Center is a multi-venue performing arts complex operated by Lancaster Bible College in downtown Lancaster, PA. The portfolio consists of The Trust Performing Arts Center (historic bank building with Great Hall, Black Box Theatre, and Square Halo Gallery) as the primary venue, complemented by the larger Good Shepherd Chapel on the college campus. Core programming includes Trust Presents Concerts featuring world-class musicians and Trust Conversations with speakers and authors. Additional offerings include Season Memberships (providing 20% discounts), Ticket Packages (You Pick 3/6 options), Facility Rental, and Gift Cards. The venue hosts partner programming including The Row House Forum discussions and the annual Dance Festival.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Square Halo Gallery: A gallery space on the first floor showcasing contemporary art inspired by the Christian faith
• The Trust Presents
• The Row House Forum

Products and services

• The Trust Performing Arts Center A historic performing arts venue in downtown Lancaster, PA hosting concerts, theater productions, dance performances, lectures, and community events across the Great Hall, Black Box Theatre, and Square Halo Gallery. Affiliated with Lancaster Bible College.
• The Trust Presents Concerts Ticketed concert series featuring internationally renowned musicians, vocalists, and ensembles performing at the Great Hall.
• The Trust Dance Festival Annual dance festival featuring local and regional dance companies including Durang Dance Collective and Emme Dance Collective, with performances and community masterclasses.
• Trust Conversations Lecture and speaker series featuring nationally recognized speakers, authors, and innovators, presented in partnership with The Row House forum.
• Theater Productions Ticketed theatrical productions performed in the Black Box Theatre by resident and visiting theater companies.
• Season Memberships Annual subscription membership program offering 20% savings on every Arts & Culture event in the season, free access to events with reservation, and additional perks depending on membership level.
• Ticket Packages (You Pick 6 and You Pick 3) Pre-paid ticket package bundles (You Pick 6 and You Pick 3) offering up to 15% savings on multiple selected events during the season.
• Facility/Venue Rental Rental of the Great Hall, Black Box Theatre, Square Halo Gallery, and Board Room for private events, corporate gatherings, weddings, and community functions.
• Gift Cards Electronic gift cards available in denominations from $5 to $500, redeemable for ticket purchases and venue events.
• Corporate Sponsorships Annual corporate sponsorship program at Season Sponsor ($10,000), Community Partner/Series Sponsor ($5,000), and Event Sponsor ($2,000-$2,500) tiers, with logo placement, public acknowledgment, and complimentary tickets.
• Individual Donor Circle Sponsorships Individual donor sponsorship tiers (Producer's Circle, Director's Circle, Bach Circle, Shakespeare Circle, Balanchine Circle, and Rembrandt Circle) ranging from $1 to $5,000+ with perks including complimentary tickets, parking, and donor gala invitations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving the community since 2013 with continued growth in programming and partnerships

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lancaster Bible CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2013LBC was founded downtown in 1933 and debuted The Trust Performing Arts Center in April 2013. LBC represents The Trust's return to its city roots and contributes to Lancaster's arts renaissance. LBC's Music, Worship & Performing Arts Department produces student performances, Christmas concerts, and musical productions at The Trust and Good Shepherd Chapel.
• Square Halo GallerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContemporary art gallery inspired by Christian faith, housed on the first floor of The Trust. Operates with rotating exhibitions featuring artists whose work engages faith themes. Gallery Director Ned Bustard curates shows including annual Messiah Arts Invitational and Inklings Art Invitational.
• The Row HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLancaster forum engaging current culture with ancient faith through gatherings, talks, and social media. Founded by Tom Becker in 2010. The Row House Forums partner with The Trust for Conversations programming featuring speakers, authors, and innovators. Hosted Square Halo Conference at The Trust.
• Durang Dance CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident dance company at The Trust. Uses dance to entertain and educate while providing budding choreographers opportunity to develop and showcase work. Featured in The Trust Dance Festival.
• Reverie Actor's CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup of local theater professionals who create and perform together. Presented The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe adaptation at The Trust, and performed staged reading of Tolkien short story for Square Halo Conference.
• Lancaster International Piano FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIPF was founded in 2012 with vision to bring people together through classical music. Partnership with The Trust brings top-notch education and performances while creating warm, inclusive community. Multiple LIPF concerts held at The Trust featuring internationally recognized pianists and ensembles.
• Discover LancasterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrivate nonprofit partnership and official Destination Marketing Organization for Lancaster County. Promotes Lancaster as tourism destination including The Trust as cultural attraction.
• WDAC 94.5 FMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrusted local Christian radio station serving Lancaster area. Named #1 Christian radio station in the US. Season sponsor providing marketing exposure through radio advertising and promotional mentions.
• Holiday Inn LancasterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDowntown Lancaster hotel and season sponsor.
• Lancaster Bible CollegeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason sponsor providing logo placement and promotional support.
• C'est La VieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCasual fine dining bistro in downtown Lancaster. Season sponsor showcasing arts community support.
• Dr. Wendell Funk Cosmetic SurgeryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState-of-the-art plastic surgeon serving Lancaster area. Arts patron and season sponsor who volunteers time for music, arts, theatre, and church.
• Lancaster Art Song SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting art song genre. Partners with The Trust's Arts & Culture Series to educate and inspire through performance and mentorship. Supports young vocalists through scholarships and provides professional performance opportunities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• American Music Theatre: Lancaster-based year-round live music venue featuring touring concerts, Broadway series, and family shows; closest direct competitor in Lancaster's live entertainment market.
• Fulton Theatre: Historic downtown Lancaster producing theater presenting Broadway-style musicals, plays, and family programming; directly competes for the same Lancaster arts audience and corporate sponsors as The Trust.
• Strathmore: Bethesda, MD-based multi-venue presenting organization with a historic Music Center, mansion, and education programs; comparable nonprofit performing arts presenter with concert series, memberships, and venue rentals.
• Chautauqua Institution: Multi-venue nonprofit performing arts and education community with a defined season of concerts, theater, and lectures; comparable faith-friendly presenting organization with resident artist programming.

Broad incumbents

• Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts: Philadelphia-based multi-venue complex (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio) operated by The Philadelphia Orchestra; broader incumbent in the same performing arts presenting space.
• Academy of Music (Philadelphia): Historic Philadelphia concert hall operated by The Philadelphia Orchestra and Live Nation presenting classical, Broadway, and contemporary acts; comparable historic venue with similar presenting model at larger scale.

Regional players

• Hershey Theatre: Regional performing arts venue in Hershey, PA hosting touring Broadway, concerts, and family programming; comparable mid-size venue competing for southeastern PA audiences and sponsors.
• Capitol Theatre (York, PA): Historic performing arts venue in York, PA presenting concerts, theater, dance, and film; comparable mid-market regional venue with similar multi-space programming model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/LancasterTrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thetrustperformingartscenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 The Trust Performing Arts Center