Ojai Art Center

What Ojai Art Center does

The Ojai Art Center (legal name: Community Art Center of the Ojai Valley) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit multidisciplinary arts organization founded in 1939 in Ojai, California, recognized as the longest continuously operating such center in the state. It operates eight branches - Art, Dance, Film, Literary, Music, Photography, Theater, and Youth - out of a single facility at 113 S. Montgomery St. that includes a 120-seat theater, an art gallery/dance studio, the Raymond Room, a foyer, and an outdoor patio. Programming spans theater productions with five-week runs, a twelve-week Film Noir Series, quarterly author panels, weekly dance and art classes, monthly chamber music concerts, rotating gallery and photography exhibits, youth theater productions for ages 6-17, and signature annual events including the 49th Annual Art in the Park (Memorial Day weekend, Libbey Park), the Great Art Theft fundraiser, and the Ojai Blues Fest.

The Center is staffed by an Executive Director (Teri Mettala, 40+ year tenure), a part-time maintenance worker, and a weekend docent; all board and most operational roles are volunteer. There is no proprietary technology platform - ticketing, e-commerce, and donor management run on standard third-party tools (TicketSpice, basic web store, email newsletter, social channels). The organization sustains operations through a diversified community funding mix: annual memberships ($30-$350 across Student, Senior, Individual, Family, and Business tiers), ticket sales for productions and concerts, facility rentals for weddings and events, Art in the Park booth fees ($300-$350) and tiered sponsorships ($75-$2,500), tax-deductible donations ($10-$5,000), and fundraiser proceeds. The Center serves the Ojai Valley community and draws regional visitors to its flagship events, with an annual operating budget of approximately $200,000.

Name

Ojai Art Center

Legal name

Community Art Center of the Ojai Valley

Website

https://ojaiartcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Ojai Art Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, multidisciplinary arts organization founded in 1939 in Ojai, California, operating eight branches (Art, Dance, Film, Literary, Music, Photography, Theater, Youth) and signature annual events including Art in the Park for the local community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Arts Center

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH), Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ)

Keywords

• Community arts center
• Nonprofit performing arts
• Theater and dance classes
• Fine art exhibitions
• Facility rental events

Headquarters

HQ city

Ojai

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $30 (Student) to $350 (Business) provide recurring revenue and community engagement.
2. Ticket Sales: Revenue from theater productions, film screenings, concerts, and special events including the Youth Branch productions.
3. Facility Rentals: Rental income from the outdoor patio, Gallery with kitchen, Raymond Room, and foyer for events such as weddings, birthdays, fundraisers, concerts, screenings, performances, and classes.
4. Art in the Park Booth Fees and Exhibitor Fees: Revenue from booth rentals at the annual Art in the Park event - $300 for members, $350 for non-members, plus jurying fees.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, youth branch donations, and special event fundraisers like The Great Art Theft and Blues Festival.
6. Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from Art in the Park at various levels: Premiere Sponsor ($2,500), Gazebo/Music Sponsor ($1,500), Activity Booth ($950), High School Exhibition ($750), Art Patron ($250), and High School Artist Sponsor ($75).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Ojai Art Center is a nonprofit community arts organization that provides multidisciplinary arts programming across eight branches (Art, Dance, Film, Literary, Music, Photography, Theater, and Youth). It sells annual memberships, tickets to theater productions, film screenings, chamber music concerts and dance/art classes, rents its 120-seat theater and adjacent event spaces, and hosts signature annual fundraisers including Art in the Park, the Blues Festival, and The Great Art Theft. Funding is supplemented by tax-deductible donations, business memberships, sponsorships, and booth/exhibitor fees at Art in the Park.

Product overview

Ojai Art Center is a multi-disciplinary nonprofit arts organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of arts programming through eight branches: Art, Dance, Film, Literary, Music, Photography, Theater, and Youth. The organization operates as a platform combining membership-based access (Individual, Family, Student, Senior, Business tiers), facility rentals, educational classes, and signature fundraising events. Core products include annual memberships providing theater discounts and voting rights, tax-deductible donations at various levels, facility rentals for events and classes, and signature events including the 49th Annual Art in the Park fine art festival, The Great Art Theft raffle fundraiser, and Ojai Blues Fest. The organization also provides ongoing programming including film noir series, chamber music concerts, dance and art classes, theater productions, photography exhibits, author panels, and youth theater programs. Sponsorships and merchandise provide additional revenue streams for the nonprofit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Memberships Annual membership tiers providing access to theater discounts, event discounts, early notifications, voting rights, and tax deduction benefits. Includes Individual ($50), Family ($65), Student ($30), Senior ($35), and Business ($350) options with varying benefit levels.
• Art in the Park Annual fine art festival featuring 70+ fine artists, high school exhibitors, live performances, activities, and food/beverage. The 49th annual event takes place at Libbey Park in Ojai over Memorial Day weekend, attracting 3,000-5,000 attendees.
• The Great Art Theft Annual fundraising raffle event where ticket purchasers attend and may win original artwork. Tickets priced at $125 for Art Center Members.
• Ojai Blues Fest Annual blues music festival held May 29th & 30th, featuring live performances and ticketed entry through TicketSpice.
• Film Noir Series (Shadows & Secrets) Twelve-week film noir series curated by film historian Steve Grumette, featuring rare and restored classic films. Runs Sundays May 3 – July 26, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Individual $10 tickets at the door.
• Chamber Music Concerts Four classic chamber music concerts presented annually on selected Sunday afternoons, featuring performances by accomplished musicians such as pianist Althea Waites. Suggested $25 donation at the door.
• Literary Branch Events Quarterly author panel discussions and literary events including a mystery writer panel featuring Patricia Fry, Sheila Lowe, Judith Ayn, and Fiona Manning.
• Art Gallery Exhibits Rotating gallery exhibitions featuring local and regional artists, including displays by Santa Barbara Printmakers, Linda Taylor, and featured artists Otis Bradley, Kathy Bodycombe, and Paula Jennet.
• Dance Classes Weekly dance instruction including Flamenco, Jazz Dance, ZUMBA, Belly Dance, Traditional West African Drum & Dance, and Bollywood Dance taught by experienced instructors.
• Art Classes Weekly art instruction including Oil Painting, Life Drawing, and Painting classes taught by instructors such as Carlos Grasso, Richard Franklin, and Bonnie Riege.
• Youth Branch Programs Youth theater productions and acting workshops featuring young performers, including summer productions like Seussical Jr. and youth summer workshop showcases for ages 6–17.
• Theater Branch Productions Dramatic productions including comedy, drama, and musicals presented annually with five-week runs. Current production: Company (June 12 - July 12).
• Facility Rentals Rental of Ojai Art Center facilities including outdoor patio, Gallery with kitchen, Raymond Room for meetings, and foyer. Available for weddings, birthdays, fundraisers, concerts, screenings, performances, workshops, and festivals.
• Photography Branch Exhibits Annual month-long photography exhibits featuring works from Ojai and Ventura County photographers, with a specific theme each year.
• Tax-Deductible Donations 501(c)(3) nonprofit donations supporting the Ojai Art Center's operations and programs, available in preset amounts from $10 to $5,000, plus custom amounts via contact at (805) 646-0117.
• Slade Collection Theatre and Film Library Collection of scripts, plays, and theater/film books from John Slade, chronicled by Laurie Walters Slade, available to browse or borrow.

Quantifiable outcome

• Art in the Park attracts 3,000-5,000 visitors annually from Ojai and neighboring communities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered notable and minor.

• Dance OjainotableGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Dance Ojai sponsors the Gazebo Stage at Art in the Park, providing live performance programming including Bollywood, Bellydance, Community Dancing, and other dance presentations. In return, Dance Ojai receives booth space next to the stage for promotional materials and visibility at the annual event.
• Firestick PotterynotableGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Firestick Pottery serves as a High School Area Sponsor for Art in the Park 2026, supporting youth art education and exhibition opportunities.
• Tully OrchardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness member and sponsor listed on the OAC website. Provides support to help keep the arts alive in Ojai.
• Ojai Playwrights ConferenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness member and sponsor. Collaborative relationship supporting playwright development and theatrical arts in the community.
• Judy & Don DiaznotableOthersIndividual donors recognized for their continued support of the Ojai Art Center, Art in the Park, and the Nordhoff Art Program.
• Ojai Film FestivalnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ojai Film Festival hosts its four-day event at the Ojai Art Center, using the Theater as one venue for showing films in November. The Film Branch also collaborates with the Ojai Film Festival and Ojai Film Society to bring events to the Ojai Valley.
• Ojai Film SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm Branch collaborates with the Ojai Film Society to bring film events to the Ojai Valley.
• Nordhoff High SchoolnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt in the Park provides high school art students opportunity to exhibit and sell work. 50% of High School Artist Sponsor proceeds donated to Nordhoff High School art programs. The High School Area sponsorship includes $75 donation to Nordhoff High School art programs. In 2024, donations funded a precious metal clay kiln for jewelry making.
• Ojai Valley Land ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored events with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy over the years.
• Ojai Humane SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored events with the Ojai Humane Society over the years.
• Ojai Library FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored events with the Ojai Library Foundation over the years.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• New West Symphony: Regional Southern California symphony presenting classical concerts and educational outreach — comparable as a nonprofit performing arts organization serving similar communities, though focused exclusively on orchestral music.

Direct peers

• Laguna Playhouse: Long-established Southern California community theater producing plays and musicals with youth programs — directly comparable in nonprofit theater programming, youth engagement, and community subscription model.
• Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach: Long-running California nonprofit arts festival featuring 100+ fine artists, community art classes, and exhibition programming — directly comparable annual fine arts festival and community art education model.
• Armory Center for the Arts: Pasadena-based multidisciplinary community arts nonprofit offering exhibitions, classes, and public programs across visual and performing arts — a closely comparable multidisciplinary California community arts center model.

Peers

• Rubicon Theatre Company: Ventura-based regional theater company producing drama, musicals, and youth programs — directly comparable in its mix of theater productions and youth theater programming serving a similar Southern California community.

Broad incumbents

• Santa Barbara Center for the Arts (Lobero Theatre): Historic California performing arts venue presenting theater, music, dance, and film programming under a nonprofit structure — comparable multidisciplinary presenting model at larger scale and similar historic-facility positioning.
• California Center for the Arts Escondido: Larger California multidisciplinary arts complex presenting concerts, theater, dance, and visual arts programming with both presenting and educational functions — overlapping mission and programming mix, but at significantly larger scale.

Regional players

• Ojai Valley Museum: Local Ojai Valley cultural institution offering exhibits, educational programming, and community events — directly comparable community-serving nonprofit cultural organization in the same primary market.
• Community Arts Music Association (CAMA): Santa Barbara-based nonprofit presenting chamber and classical music concerts — comparable as a regional nonprofit arts presenter serving a similar Central Coast demographic, though narrower in artistic discipline.
• Ojai Music Festival: Annual music festival held in the same Ojai Valley community; overlapping geographic audience and shared music-patron donor base though focused exclusively on music rather than multidisciplinary programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/OjaiArtCenter
• Xx.com/OjaiArt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Ojai Art Center