The Studio School

What The Studio School does

The Studio School, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit art education organization founded in 1990 and based in Roanoke, Virginia, where it operates a single physical classroom in the upper level of Towers Mall at 2137 Colonial Avenue SW. The school delivers small, in-person art classes to the Roanoke Valley community across all ages and skill levels, taught by a six-person faculty of regionally and nationally recognized working artists in mediums including acrylic, mixed media, drawing, oil, and watercolor. Children's classes are held after school and on Saturdays alongside the adult program.

The core product set is built around year-round adult and youth classes, an annual week-long fund-raising workshop featuring a nationally known visiting artist, shorter workshops taught by regional artists, and the three-tier Easel Society membership program priced at $50, $200, and $500 annually. Revenue is generated from class tuition, workshop fees, membership dues, tax-deductible donations, and gift certificates, with partial programmatic support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Workshops and shows are first offered to Easel Society members as a priority enrollment mechanism that anchors the community.

Distribution is local and in-person, supplemented by an active Facebook page, an online calendar, and direct email/phone contact. The technology footprint is minimal, with no proprietary software platform, mobile app, or AI/ML components, and the school's competitive position rests on three decades of brand recognition, a 2019 Perry F. Kendig Award, signature-membership credentials among faculty, and the community built around the Easel Society and annual exhibitions at venues such as Carilion and Piedmont Arts.

Name

The Studio School

Legal name

The Studio School, Inc.

Website

https://thestudioschool.biz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Studio School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1990 in Roanoke, Virginia, offering small in-person art classes for children and adults at all skill levels, taught by a six-artist faculty in mediums including watercolor, acrylic, oil, and mixed media. Revenue is generated through class tuition, annual workshops with nationally known visiting artists, three-tier Easel Society memberships, donations, and partial state arts funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Art Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA)

Keywords

• Art education
• Adult art classes
• Children's art classes
• Artist workshops
• Nonprofit arts organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Roanoke

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

Revenue model

1. Easel Society Membership Dues: Three-tier membership program with annual dues ranging from $50 to $500, offering benefits including early workshop enrollment, free aprons, invitations to artist lectures, and exhibition opportunities.
2. Class Tuition: Adult and children's art classes taught by area leading artists. Classes are available after school and on Saturdays.
3. Workshop Fees: Week-long fundraising workshops taught by nationally-known artists including John Salminen, Kathleen Conover, and Jean Pederson. Shorter workshops taught by regional artists expand the course offerings.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted from students, families, and community members. Organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
5. Gift Certificates: Full or partial class tuition available as gifts through online form or phone.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Studio School provides in-person art education for all ages and skill levels, delivered through year-round adult and children's classes in mediums including acrylic, mixed media, drawing, oil, and watercolor. Instruction is led by a faculty of notable regional artists in small classes that ensure one-on-one attention. The school supplements ongoing classes with week-long fundraising workshops taught by nationally recognized visiting artists and supports operations through its three-tier Easel Society membership program.

Product overview

The Studio School offers art education as a single unified program consisting of ongoing adult and children's classes, annual workshops taught by nationally recognized visiting artists, and the Easel Society membership program. Classes are small to ensure one-on-one attention and are taught by the Roanoke Valley's leading working artists. The school operates as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has served the community since 1990.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adult Art Classes Year-round in-person art instruction for adults at all skill levels, from beginners to professional artists seeking inspiration or new challenges. Classes are taught by the Roanoke Valley's leading artists in small class sizes designed to ensure one-on-one attention.
• Children's Art Classes After-school and Saturday art classes for children, providing art education in a supportive classroom environment at the Towers Mall location.
• Nationally-Known Artist Workshops Annual week-long fundraising workshops that bring nationally recognized artists (such as John Salminen, Kathleen Conover, and Jean Pederson) to Roanoke to teach composition, material choices, and artistic insights. Workshops are first announced to Easel Society members who receive priority enrollment.
• Easel Society Membership Three-tiered annual membership program supporting The Studio School: Sketchbook Level ($50) offers early workshop enrollment; Portfolio Circle ($200) adds a free Studio School apron and an invitation to the annual artist lecture; Best in Show Circle ($500) adds early workshop enrollment, apron, exhibition opportunity in the Studio School front windows with critique and hanging assistance, and the annual artist lecture invitation.
• Gift Certificates Full or partial class tuition certificates available for purchase online or by contacting the school by phone, marketed as gifts for aspiring artists.
• Susan Stuller Watercolor Workshop "A Creative Experience" Week-long watercolor workshop taught by Susan Stuller, Signature Status member of multiple watermedia societies and widely published award-winning artist, scheduled June 2-5, 2026.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hollins UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Co-sponsored the Perry F. Kendig Award with Roanoke College in 2019, recognizing organizations providing exemplary leadership around the arts.
• Roanoke CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Co-sponsored the Perry F. Kendig Award with Hollins University in 2019, recognizing organizations providing exemplary leadership around the arts.
• Virginia Commission for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Studio School's programs are partially funded through the Virginia Commission for the Arts, providing essential financial support for art education initiatives in the Roanoke region.
• Left of Center Art SpaceminorOthersPatricia Kapral, youth instructor at The Studio School, maintains a personal studio at Left of Center Art Space in Roanoke.
• CarilionminorOthersSpring 2027 Easel Society Members' Show scheduled at Carilion, Roanoke location.
• Piedmont ArtsminorOthersSpring 2027 Easel Society Members' Show scheduled at Piedmont Arts in Martinsville.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100063524592782

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Studio School