Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation

What Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation does

Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 2002 by Tunisian-American choreographer Jonah Bokaer. The foundation operates four arts facilities across New York State — Chez Bushwick (established 2002 in Brooklyn), CPR (co-founded 2008), Space 428 Hudson (2016), and Window On Hudson (co-founded 2020) — and presents a layered programmatic slate including the RECESS monthly performance series, the Artist-In-Residence (AIR) program, and the Hudson Eye festival in the Hudson Valley. Since inception it has served more than 33,000 artists, with 1,142+ artists engaged annually across dance, visual arts, and multimedia disciplines.

The foundation's revenue model is a hybrid nonprofit structure combining earned income (venue rentals, memberships at $35 standard and $300 premium tiers, art sales, and performance ticket revenue) with institutional grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), and named private foundations. Cumulative revenue since 2002 exceeds $11 million. Operations are run with a small staff of 10-20, suggesting a lean cost structure. International residency partnerships with Villa Albertine and FUSED extend programmatic reach into France and broader European artist networks.

The foundation has expanded beyond pure presentation into workforce development programming aimed at artist career pathways, and has added direct-to-consumer channels including a TeeSpring merchandise storefront and expanded art sales. Bessie Award recognition and institutional validation from the Smithsonian Hirshhorn provide reputational capital that supports ongoing fundraising and artist recruitment.

Name

Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation

Legal name

Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://chezbushwick.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating four New York arts venues, presenting performances, residencies, and festivals that serve more than 1,100 artists annually across dance, visual arts, and multimedia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Services

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Dance Companies (711120), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH), Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ)

Keywords

• Performing arts nonprofit
• Rehearsal space rental
• Artist residency programs
• Experimental dance
• Visual art sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Venue/Studio Rentals: Hourly rental revenue from rehearsal space, classes/workshops/auditions ($20/hour member, $35/hour non-member), and photo/film shoots ($30/hour member, $40/hour non-member).
2. RECESS Premium Membership: $300 annual premium membership providing full creative control of the venue for one evening, plus access to lower member rates and the JBAF Young Patrons network.
3. Art Sales: Sales of visual artworks including prints, photographs, and video works from the JBAF collection and Jonah Bokaer's personal works. Prices range from $800 to $60,000.
4. Performance Tickets: Revenue from ticketed performances including the annual NYC Season (CANTO XII), special events, and RECESS programs.
5. Foundation Grants & Donations: Support from institutional funders including National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, and numerous private foundations and individual donors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that provides affordable rehearsal and performance space at four facilities (Chez Bushwick in Brooklyn, CPR, Space 428 Hudson, Window On Hudson), runs artist development programs including the RECESS monthly performance series and AIR Artist-In-Residence program, produces touring choreography (JBC), operates the Hudson Eye annual arts festival, and sells limited-edition visual artworks. Founded in 2002 by choreographer Jonah Bokaer, the foundation serves emerging and mid-career performing artists with subsidized rates and touring museum-based choreography.

Product overview

Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation operates as a multi-faceted arts organization offering venue/facility services, performance programs, art sales, and educational initiatives. The core offerings include Chez Bushwick (Brooklyn studio venue since 2002) and CPR (co-founded 2008), providing affordable rehearsal and performance spaces. The organization runs two signature programs: RECESS (monthly performance series) and AIR (Artist-In-Residence with 75-100 hours of free rehearsal space). Art sales include limited edition serigraphs, lithographs, photographs, and video works. A membership program ($35/year) offers discounted studio rates ($8/hour). The Hudson Eye festival and Window On Hudson expand services to the Hudson Valley. JBC (Jonah Bokaer Choreography) represents the touring dance company aspect of the organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Studio Rental
• Annual Membership
• RECESS Premium Membership
• RECESS Performance Series
• AIR Artist-In-Residence Program
• JBC Season (Jonah Bokaer Choreography)
• The Hudson Eye Festival
• Art Sales
• Workforce Development Initiative
• Video Artworks

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 33,000+ diverse artists since 2002
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Cultural VistasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partnership for workforce development program, providing professional experiences for participants
• Georgia Institute of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partnership for workforce development program
• Institut d'Etudes Politiques de RennesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational institutional partnership for workforce development program
• Korea WestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partnership for workforce development program
• New York UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partnership for workforce development program
• Sarah Lawrence CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partnership for workforce development program
• Sciences Po RennesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational institutional partnership for workforce development program
• Skidmore CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partnership for workforce development program
• Université de NantesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational institutional partnership for workforce development program
• CPR (Center for Performance Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-Founded in 2008 with John Jasperse. Adjacent affordable community facility in Brooklyn. Major program venue for the organization alongside Chez Bushwick.
• Villa AlbertinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for Artist-In-Residence program. Nidal Abdo and Collective Nafass residency is part of Albertine Dance Season with major international grantmaking support from Villa Albertine.
• FUSED (French U.S. Exchange in Dance)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Artist-In-Residence program, supporting international dance exchange between France and the US.
• Window On HudsoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-Founded in 2020 with sculptor Jeremy Kristin Bullis as a pandemic response project. Provides diverse Hudson Valley artists with safe exhibition space in prominent windows, responding to mandates forbidding indoor gatherings.
• The Hudson EyecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual arts festival incubator at Space 428 Hudson (2016). City-wide festival programming for Hudson Valley arts community.
• Charles Renfro / Diller Scofidio + RenfromajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold standard collaboration - ongoing iterative artistic dialogue with Charles Renfro, Principal Architect of Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Long-term creative partnership.
• Daniel ArshammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on ten full-length works since 2007. Collaborative body of work showcased in 'Rules Of The Game' with original score by Pharrell Williams, toured worldwide, and sold out BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in 2016.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Gibney: NYC-based dance and social-justice organization operating multiple studios, performance spaces, and resident artist programs. Comparable as a major affordable studio provider and dance presenter for NYC artists, but with substantially larger scale and broader programming.
• New York Live Arts: Major NYC dance presenting venue operated by Dance/NYC successor organizations, supporting experimental choreography. Comparable as a dance-focused performance venue presenting national and international artists.
• The Kitchen: Chelsea-based non-profit presenting experimental performance, dance, video, and visual art. Comparable as an experimental-performance presenter, but with longer institutional history and broader arts focus.
• La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club: Historic NYC non-profit theatre supporting experimental performance and international artists across generations. Comparable as a multi-decade experimental performing arts presenter and venue operator.

Direct peers

• The Yard: Martha's Vineyard and NYC-based dance and arts residency organization supporting choreographers through residencies and performances. Comparable as a dance-focused artist residency provider with comparable grant-supported model.
• Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX): Brooklyn-based artist-services organization supporting performing artists through studio space, residencies, and youth programs. Directly comparable as an affordable studio and artist-development provider in Brooklyn (JBAF notes BAX previously awarded 'Passing It On Award' for Chez Bushwick).
• Danspace Project: St. Mark's Church-based dance presenting organization supporting experimental dance and performance through residencies, commissions, and presentations. Comparable as a non-profit dance presenter and residency provider for emerging and experimental choreographers.
• Center for Performance Research (CPR): Brooklyn-based performance and dance venue co-founded in 2008 by Jonah Bokaer and John Jasperse. Directly comparable as an affordable rehearsal and performance space provider serving experimental dance and interdisciplinary performance artists in NYC.
• Movement Research: NYC-based non-profit supporting experimental dance through classes, workshops, residencies, and performance programs. Comparable as an artist-development-focused dance organization serving the experimental dance community.

Emerging players

• Pioneer Works: Brooklyn-based non-profit arts and science venue in Red Hook. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary Brooklyn arts nonprofit combining programming, residencies, and community events, with emerging-artist focus and grant-funded model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chez_bushwick
• Facebookfacebook.com/jonahbokaer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chez-bushwick-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/jonahbokaer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation