Center of Creative Arts

What Center of Creative Arts does

COCA (Center of Creative Arts) is a nonprofit, multidisciplinary community arts organization headquartered in University City (St. Louis metropolitan area), Missouri. Founded in 1986 and operating as an independent 501(c)(3) governed by a board of directors, COCA self-identifies as the fourth largest multidisciplinary community arts center in the United States and employs 11–50 core staff supported by a network of 200+ credentialed teaching artists who hold college degrees in arts disciplines and are active professional practitioners. The organization delivers arts education, performance, and exhibition programming across five disciplines — art & design, dance, early childhood, theatre, and voice — to youth, families, adults 55+, and homeschool students. Its product surface spans year-round classes, summer/school-break camps, summer intensives, a Pre-Professional Division for ages 10–18 (with student companies Ballet Eclectica and COCAdance), a signature COCApresents performance season at the Catherine B. Berges Theatre, Millstone Gallery exhibitions (since 2008), and a venue rental business. COCA extends its reach through two B2B/adult divisions: COCAedu Arts Integration (school-based residencies and teacher professional development since 1992, delivered to 20+ K-12 partners and affiliated with the Kennedy Center Partners in Education program) and COCAbiz Professional Development (arts-based corporate training since 2009, serving 350+ organizations and 4,500+ professionals including Boeing, Mastercard, Edward Jones, Ameren, BJC HealthCare, and Commerce Bank). The company is ACCPas-accredited and operates on a Studio Habits of Mind pedagogical framework developed by Harvard Graduate School of Education's Project Zero.

COCA's business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack. Consumer-facing tuition drives the largest visible line: a $30 non-refundable annual registration fee, multi-class discounts (3–4 classes $60 off, 5+ $100 off), sliding scale tuition pegged to HUD income guidelines, and per-program pricing for camps and intensives (e.g., $285–$700 for week-long summer intensives, $475–$520 annual company dues for Pre-Professional ensembles). Ticket revenue is generated through the COCApresents season with $5 student rush tickets and group rates of 10+. Corporate partnerships and sponsorships are layered across programs (Ameren for Spring Break Camps, Mercy for School's Out Camps, Edward Jones for COCAbiz, the Lefton family for COCApresents 2025–26). Facility rentals monetize the Berges Theatre, Staenberg Performance Lab, Millstone Gallery, Dierbergs Kitchen, and studio spaces. A membership program (Designer Level and above) provides early registration and ticket discounts. The organization supplements earned income with government and foundation grants from the Missouri Arts Council, Regional Arts Commission, Missouri Department of Economic Development, Bellwether Foundation, and others. Distribution is hybrid: direct-to-consumer self-serve via WebTrac, phone/in-person registration, school channel partnerships for COCAedu, and direct enterprise sales for COCAbiz. COCA celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2026 and is currently expanding its physical footprint via the Ferring East Wing.

Name

Center of Creative Arts

Legal name

COCA Center of Creative Arts

Website

https://cocastl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

COCA (Center of Creative Arts) is a nonprofit, multidisciplinary community arts center in University City (St. Louis), Missouri, founded in 1986. It delivers classes, camps, intensives, and a Pre-Professional Division across dance, theatre, voice, art & design, and early childhood to youth, families, and adults, and extends reach through COCAedu school partnerships and COCAbiz corporate professional development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610)

akta.pro primary industry

Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture) (EDAMAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater) (EDAAAGAE), Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA)

Keywords

• Arts education programs
• Performing arts training
• Youth arts camps
• Arts integration schools
• Community arts center

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

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. Arts Classes and Camps Tuition: COCA charges tuition for full-year classes (Fall & Winter/Spring), full-semester classes, 7-week classes, one-time workshops, and summer camps. Registration fee of $30 per person annually. Multi-class discounts available for 3+ classes.
2. Sliding Scale Tuition: Income-based tuition assistance program providing reduced rates for qualifying students based on household income and size compared to HUD guidelines.
3. Performance Tickets: COCApresents season brings thought-provoking programming for multigenerational audiences. Box Office sells tickets for performances at Catherine B. Berges Theatre. Student rush tickets available for $5.
4. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate partners and sponsors support COCA's programs including School's Out Camps, Spring Break Camps, Summer Camps, COCApresents season, and COCAbiz. Organizations like Mercy, Ameren, Edward Jones, and others provide financial support.
5. Facility Rentals: COCA rents out its facilities including Catherine B. Berges Theatre, Dierbergs Kitchen, Gold Art & Design Studio, Millstone Gallery, Staenberg Performance Lab, and Studio Spaces for events.
6. COCAbiz Professional Development: Arts-based professional development training for organizations including Artful Speaker, Creativity & Collaboration, Leadership workshops, and Leading Ladies program for female-identifying leaders. Since 2009, served over 4,500 business professionals from 350 organizations.
7. Membership Program: COCA offers membership at various levels including Designer Level which provides early registration access for classes, $5 off COCApresents tickets, and other perks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

COCA (Center of Creative Arts) is a multidisciplinary community arts center that delivers arts education classes, camps, pre-professional training, and performances across dance, theatre, voice, art & design, and early childhood disciplines. It also operates COCAedu arts integration programs in K-12 schools and COCAbiz arts-based professional development workshops for businesses, complemented by venue rentals and gallery exhibitions.

Product overview

COCA (Center of Creative Arts) is a multidisciplinary arts education organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs. The core offerings include year-round Arts Classes in art & design, dance, early childhood, theatre, and voice; Summer Intensives, Summer Arts Camps, Spring Break Arts Camps, and School's Out Camps for youth; and a Pre-Professional Division for aspiring professional artists. COCA extends its reach through COCAedu Arts Integration (school-based programs since 1992) and COCAbiz Professional Development (business training since 2009). Performance offerings include COCApresents (theatre productions) and Millstone Gallery Exhibitions. Student companies include Ballet Eclectica and COCAdance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arts Classes
• Summer Intensives Advanced arts training programs for ages 9-18 in ballet, voice, and fashion design, taught by professional teaching artists with collaborative skill-building opportunities.
• Summer Arts Camps Day camps running from late May through mid-August offering creative arts experiences for kids and teens with hundreds of camp options including morning, afternoon, and full-day sessions.
• Spring Break Arts Camps Multi-day arts camps during spring break (March 16-20) featuring multidisciplinary creative experiences taught by COCA's teaching artists for ages 3-10.
• School's Out Camps Day camps during school holidays offering unique arts learning experiences designed for ages 3-10, with before and after care options available.
• Pre-Professional Division Elite training programs for young artists ages 10-18 pursuing professional careers in dance, theatre, and voice, including support services such as ACT/SAT tutoring, meals, dancewear, and college guidance.
• COCAedu Arts Integration Arts integration residency programs, after-school classes, school day residencies, and professional development workshops bringing arts programming to K-12 schools and community organizations across the St. Louis region since 1992.
• COCAbiz Professional Development Arts-based professional development training and consulting for businesses using the arts to build creativity, engagement, and effectiveness in the workforce, serving over 4,500 professionals since 2009.
• COCApresents Signature performance season bringing thought-provoking programming including traditional audience favorites and innovative new work from local, national, and student artists to the Catherine B. Berges Theatre.
• Millstone Gallery Exhibitions Contemporary art exhibitions featuring emerging and established artists in a free public gallery space, operational since 2008.
• COCA Rentals Venue and studio rental program offering spaces including Catherine B. Berges Theatre, Staenberg Performance Lab, Millstone Gallery, Dierbergs Kitchen, and studio spaces for events and productions.

Named customers14 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, leading and supporting.

• The Kennedy CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOCAedu participates in The Kennedy Center Partners in Education program, which positions COCA to teach others about arts integration methodologies and deliver the Defining Arts Integration workshop.
• Regional Dance America/MidStatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOCA's Ballet Eclectica is a member of RDA/MidStates, one of five Regional Associations of RDA in the Central United States. Provides performance and educational opportunities, access to diverse dance forms, and scholarship opportunities for pre-professional dancers.
• The Black Rep (Washington University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign-Tech mentorship placement partnership at the Edison Theatre (Washington University) and Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA. Students learn from leading professionals in costume design, stage management, lighting design, sound design, set design, and projections.
• Bellwether FoundationmajorOthersSponsor supporting COCA's arts programs and operations.
• Regional Arts Commission (RAC)majorOthersRegional arts funding organization supporting COCA's programs.
• Missouri Arts CouncilmajorOthersState arts council providing funding support to COCA.
• Missouri Department of Economic DevelopmentcoreOthersYouth Opportunities Program funding for Pre-Professional Division support services.
• AmerenleadingOthersLeading sponsor for Spring Break Arts Camps.
• MercyleadingOthersPresenting sponsor for School's Out Camps.
• Edward JonesleadingOthersPresenting sponsor for COCAbiz professional development division.
• CepiasupportingOthersSupporting sponsor for School's Out Camps.
• The Hornsby FamilysupportingOthersSupporting sponsor for School's Out Camps.
• Blues for KidssupportingOthersSupporting sponsor for School's Out Camps.
• Les Paul FoundationsupportingOthersSupporting sponsor for School's Out Camps.
• Amy, Sacha & Gray LeftonleadingOthersCOCApresents 2025-2026 season presenting sponsor.
• Caryl SunshinesupportingOthersCOCApresents season supporting sponsor.
• Kwame Building GroupsupportingOthersCOCApresents season supporting sponsor.
• Steward Family FoundationsupportingOthersCOCApresents season supporting sponsor.
• Woods FoundationsupportingOthersCOCApresents season supporting sponsor.
• Mary StraussleadingOthersCOCA Summer Musical presenting sponsor.
• Regions BanksupportingOthersSchooltime sponsor.
• The CheshiresupportingOthersHospitality sponsor for performances.
• St. Louis Union Station HotelsupportingOthersHospitality sponsor for performances.
• National Honor Society for Dance ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHSDA is a program of the National Dance Education Organization that recognizes outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement. COCA PPD high school students can apply for membership.
• Variety STLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for youth musical productions including The Addams Family Musical: Young@Part.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Children's Theatre Company: Minneapolis-based nonprofit producing professional productions for young audiences while running year-round theatre education classes — comparable theatre-education + performance mandate to COCA's theatre programming.
• Harlem School of the Arts: NYC-based community nonprofit delivering multidisciplinary arts education (music, dance, theatre, visual arts) to youth and families with sliding-scale tuition — directly comparable mission and program mix to COCA.
• Interlochen Center for the Arts: Large, multidisciplinary nonprofit arts education and performance organization offering instruction in dance, theatre, voice, music, and visual arts alongside a professional performance calendar — the closest scale-and-scope analog to COCA.
• Old Town School of Folk Music: Chicago nonprofit community arts school combining year-round group classes, ensembles, and a robust public concert series — highly comparable operating model (tuition classes + ticket sales + community performances).
• Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Professional dance company with an integrated dance school, pre-professional training programs, and performance season — comparable to COCA's Pre-Professional Division in dance (Ballet Eclectica, COCAdance).
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Ailey Extensions / The Ailey School): National dance institution combining professional performances, a school, and community outreach classes — most directly comparable component of COCA's dance + community-outreach mix.

Broad incumbents

• 92nd Street Y (92NY): Larger New York institution combining adult and youth education across performing and visual arts with a curated performance and lecture season — broader programming than COCA but structurally analogous as a community arts + education nonprofit.
• Carnegie Hall (Weill Music Institute): National-scale performing-arts institution with national education, school-partnership, and professional-development programs — broader scope than COCA but analogous as an arts-education + performance nonprofit with corporate training offerings.

Regional players

• Webster University (Community Music School): St. Louis-area private institution running community performing-arts instruction (predominantly music) — comparable operating footprint and target demographics in the same metro.
• Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra: Same St. Louis metropolitan market, with parallel performing-arts education programming, school partnerships, and corporate sponsor overlap — useful regional capacity and partnership comparator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/COCASTL
• Facebookfacebook.com/COCAstl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cocastl
• Instagraminstagram.com/cocastl
• Xx.com/cocastl

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Center of Creative Arts