Center for Performance Research

What Center for Performance Research does

Center for Performance Research (CPR) is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)-style nonprofit arts organization founded in 2007 that supports NYC-based artists working in contemporary dance, performance, and time-based art. Its core offerings are organized into three tracks: (1) year-long Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program (8 artists/year, $1,500 stipend, up to 150 subsidized rehearsal hours at $6–$10/hr) plus a newer Technical Residency track; (2) curated and open-call public programs including OPEN AiR (performances, pay-what-you-can $0–$25), OPEN LAB (workshops/discussions), OPEN DOOR (community events/screenings), OPEN STUDIOS (work-in-progress), and bi-annual Fall Movement/Spring Movement series (5 artists each with technical support and honoraria); and (3) a Subsidized Space Rental Program across two studios (Large Studio 1,875 sq. ft. seating up to 68; Small Studio) within a 4,000 sq. ft. ADA-compliant Williamsburg facility at 361 Manhattan Avenue.

The underlying infrastructure is physical rather than digital: sprung wood dance floors, LED theatrical lighting, full-range sound, projection, and tiered audience risers — i.e., CPR operates as a venue and curatorial platform, not a software platform. No APIs, SDKs, apps, or proprietary technology products are disclosed. The only AI-adjacent activity is one artist's use of AI language models in a performance piece; there is no in-house AI capability.

CPR's revenue mechanics are diversified across earned and contributed income: subsidized space rentals, ticket sales (event pricing $0–$25 PWYC; $25–$35 GA; $75 patron), annual Spring Benefit gala tiers ($150–$1,000, 100% tax-deductible), Adopt-A-Chair sponsorships ($100), and year-round tax-deductible donations via the Zeffy platform. Distribution is direct through the single Brooklyn venue and a small set of co-presenting partners (New York Live Arts, The Invisible Dog Art Center, Visual AIDS, Materials for the Arts, Swissnex, Imbricated Real). Marketing runs through cprnyc.org, email newsletter, @cprnyc social channels, Eventbrite ticketing, and open-call applications, with operations scaled to a 1–10 person team.

Name

Center for Performance Research

Legal name

Center for Performance Research

Website

https://cprnyc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Center for Performance Research is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that runs year-long artist residencies, curated public performance programs (OPEN AiR, OPEN LAB, OPEN DOOR, OPEN STUDIOS, Fall/Spring Movement), and subsidized studio rentals for NYC-based contemporary dance and performance artists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Residencies and Venue Programs

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Contemporary dance residencies
• Artist residency programs
• Performing arts venue
• Subsidized rehearsal space
• Performance art programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

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. Space Rentals: CPR offers a Subsidized Space Rental Program providing affordable rehearsal and performance space to artists, with subsidized rates for Artist-in-Residence program participants.
2. Ticket Sales: CPR generates revenue through ticket sales for public programs and events, with pay-what-you-can pricing models ($0-$25) and standard admission tiers ($25 general, $75 patron).
3. Donations and Fundraising: Annual Spring Benefit events raise funds for CPR's programs and operations. Tax-deductible donations accepted year-round via Zeffy platform. Adopt-A-Chair program offers $100 tax-deductible chair sponsorship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Center for Performance Research is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit arts organization that supports NYC-based artists in the development of new work in contemporary dance, performance, and time-based art. It delivers this through year-long Artist-in-Residence and Technical Residency programs that combine subsidized rehearsal space, curatorial support, $1,500 stipends, and public presentation opportunities; curated public programs including OPEN AiR, OPEN LAB, OPEN DOOR, OPEN STUDIOS, and seasonal Fall/Spring Movement series; and a Subsidized Space Rental Program providing affordable access to two professionally equipped studios at CPR's Williamsburg venue.

Product overview

Center for Performance Research (CPR) is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit arts organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem of programs for artists in contemporary dance, performance, and time-based art. The core offerings include the Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program providing year-long residencies with subsidized rehearsal space and stipends; the Technical Residency Program offering intensive studio time with A/V equipment access; and public presentation series including OPEN AiR (performances), OPEN LAB (workshops and discussions), OPEN DOOR (community events), and OPEN STUDIOS (work-in-progress showings). Seasonal curated programs like Fall Movement and Spring Movement provide opportunities for five artists each to present new works with technical support and honoraria. The organization also operates a Subsidized Space Rental Program with two studios (Large and Small) featuring sprung wood dance floors and theatrical lighting. Annual fundraising is supported through the Spring Benefit event. CPR does not operate as a technology platform but as a physical venue and arts programming organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program Year-long residency program supporting NYC-based artists in contemporary dance, performance, and time-based art, providing up to 150 subsidized rehearsal hours at $6–$10/hr, a $1,500 stipend, curatorial support, project support, peer dialogue, and presentation opportunities through CPR's public programs.
• OPEN AiR Public performance series presenting new work developed by Artist-in-Residence and Technical Residency artists, with pay-what-you-can ticketing ($0–$25) for audiences.
• OPEN LAB Series of theoretical and practical discussions, movement research, and workshops open to the public that invite practice-based inquiry and creative exchange of ideas, often featuring AiR artists.
• OPEN DOOR Public program series featuring performances, screenings, and community engagement events, often in partnership with other organizations, with pay-what-you-can ticketing.
• OPEN STUDIOS Curated program where AiR artists share works-in-progress in an open studio setting, often featuring multiple artists in conversation or collaboration.
• Fall Movement / Spring Movement Bi-annual curated presentation programs showcasing new works in dance, performance, and time-based art, each featuring five artists selected through open call, with technical rehearsal and honorarium provided.
• Technical Residency Program Intensive residency providing artists with dedicated time in CPR's theater space and access to A/V equipment for development of new works, often culminating in an OPEN AiR presentation.
• Subsidized Space Rental Program Affordable rehearsal and performance space rentals ensuring artists can access space for creation and presentation, including a Large Studio (1,875 sq. ft.) and Small Studio with sprung wood dance floors and LED theatrical lighting.
• Spring Benefit Annual fundraising event celebrating and supporting CPR's programs and operations, featuring performances, food, drinks, raffles, and Adopt-A-Chair opportunities.

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Live Artery | New York Live ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPR co-presents events with Live Artery, the annual festival by New York Live Arts under Bill T. Jones's leadership. The partnership provides additional presentation opportunities for CPR artists and extends reach to Live Artery's network of presenters and artists.
• The Invisible Dog Art CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPR co-presented the symposium 'In Our Decline' with The Invisible Dog Art Center in Brooklyn, extending programming to their venue and collaborating on artist residencies and research projects.
• Visual AIDSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPR partners with Visual AIDS for curated OPEN DOOR programming featuring artists Tesora Garcia and Zacarías González, organized by Blake Paskal, Programs Director of Visual AIDS.
• Materials for the Arts (MFTA)minorOthersMaterials for the Arts supplies materials for CPR productions and programming, supporting sustainable resource use in performance creation.
• Swissnex in Boston and New YorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presented symposium In Our Decline with support from Swissnex in Boston and New York, Presence Switzerland, and Pro Helvetia Global Travel Grant.
• Imbricated RealminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPR collaborates with Imbricated Real (founded by Simone Aughterlony and Marc Streit) on research and performance projects including The Dumps.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Yard: Residency-based dance and performance venue with locations in NYC and Chicago. Comparable in providing multi-week artist residencies, subsidized studio access, and public performance opportunities for dance and performance makers.
• The Invisible Dog Art Center: Brooklyn-based nonprofit art center supporting experimental artists through residencies and exhibitions. CPR's co-presentation partner and close geographic peer; comparable in supporting cross-disciplinary experimental artists in Brooklyn.
• New York Live Arts: NYC-based nonprofit presenting and producing organization for dance and performance, led by Bill T. Jones. Direct peer in mission and programming focus; CPR co-presents with Live Artery. Comparable residency support and contemporary performance curation.
• Danspace Project: NYC nonprofit platform for dance artists that produces curated performance seasons, commissions new work, and supports experimental choreography. Comparable focus on dance/performance research, curation, and artist development at the intersection of process and presentation.
• The Kitchen: Legendary NYC nonprofit presenting experimental performance, dance, and visual art since 1971. Comparable mission of supporting experimental contemporary artists and presenting risk-taking work, with similar artist support and public program models.
• Performance Space New York: NYC nonprofit (formerly Performance Space 122) dedicated to commissioning and presenting experimental live performance. Closely comparable in niche focus on experimental contemporary performance, artist residency, and East Village/Chelsea presentation model.
• Gibney: NYC-based nonprofit dance and social justice organization with multiple studios and artist residency programs. Comparable operating model combining subsidized studio rentals, residency stipends, and curated public programming for dance and performance artists.
• The Chocolate Factory Theater: Long Island City-based experimental performance venue presenting emerging and established artists in dance, theater, and performance art. Comparable in scale, experimental focus, and artist residency/commissioning model.
• Movement Research: NYC-based nonprofit supporting experimental dance and movement-based performance through classes, workshops, residencies, and festivals. Comparable in artist development, performance research orientation, and community-driven program model.

Broad incumbents

• BRIC: Larger Brooklyn-based arts and media nonprofit with multiple venues including performance spaces. Comparable geographic positioning and broad arts presentation model, though significantly larger in scale and programming scope than CPR.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cprnyc
• Instagraminstagram.com/cprnyc
• Facebookfacebook.com/cprnyc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-performance-research

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 Center for Performance Research