Fulcrum Point New Music Project
Fulcrum Point New Music Project is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that commissions, performs, and teaches adventurous contemporary classical music through concerts, in-school programs, and community events serving Chicago audiences, public school students, and institutional donors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Fulcrum Point New Music Project does
Fulcrum Point New Music Project is a Chicago-headquartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit creative community, founded in 1998 by Stephen Burns under a mandate from Performing Arts Chicago, that commissions, performs, and teaches adventurous contemporary classical music spanning minimalism, neo-classicism, neo-romanticism, postmodernism, and multimedia art. The organization operates as an integrated programming network rather than a single-product entity, anchored by six interlocking lines: main-stage concerts at Chicago venues (Harris Theater, Constellation, The Promontory, Thalia Hall, Art Institute of Chicago); the 27-year-running Annual Concert for Peace flagship; the Sound Tracks and Creating Identity in-school programs serving Chicago Public Schools students with limited music education access; the AuxIn: Connected! pop-up series linking rising professionals with emerging musicians; the Discoveries / Hear & Be Heard showcases for underrepresented composers; and Salon Concerts staged at private residences.
Underlying technology consists of standard digital distribution and commerce tooling rather than proprietary platforms: Squarespace-hosted website (fulcrumpoint.org), YouTube for video hosting and Sound^Sphere virtual event streaming, Eventbrite for ticketing, LGLforms for tax-deductible donation processing, and Google Calendar (ICS) for event distribution. Production assets center on multimedia integration of live music with visual arts and film scores rather than software IP.
The business model is a non-profit revenue stack operating from 1235A N. Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, with three primary inflow streams: tax-deductible individual donations and contributions; institutional foundation and corporate grants led by the Neisser Family Foundation at $100,000+, with mid-tier support from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Walder Foundation, the NEA, the Irving Harris Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, and others; and tiered ticket sales ($10–$30 general admission, $80–$160 VIP table packages, plus free events). Audience and beneficiary segments include the Chicago-area general public, Chicago Public Schools students, individual donors and patrons, emerging musicians and composers, and a network of arts organization peers and venue partners that drive cross-promotion and co-presentation.
Fulcrum Point New Music Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fulcrum Point New Music Project
- Legal name
- Fulcrum Point New Music Project
- Website
- https://fulcrumpoint.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Fulcrum Point New Music Project is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that commissions, performs, and teaches adventurous contemporary classical music through concerts, in-school programs, and community events serving Chicago audiences, public school students, and institutional donors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fulcrum Point New Music Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts
- NAICS
- Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts & Music Lessons (Dance, Drumming, Instrument Lessons, Theater) (THAJAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)
Keywords
Where Fulcrum Point New Music Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Fulcrum Point New Music Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals supporting the organization's mission. The organization is a 501(c)(3) corporation.
- Foundation and Corporate Grants: Support from foundations including Neisser Family Foundation, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, MacArthur Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, and corporate sponsors
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from concert admissions with various pricing tiers including general admission, student discounts, and VIP packages
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | General Admission tickets for concerts |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Student tickets with valid ID |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | VIP table packages |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free events |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Fulcrum Point New Music Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fulcrum Point New Music Project is a nonprofit arts organization that presents live concert performances of adventurous contemporary classical music and new art music across Chicago-area venues. It supplements its concert programming with in-school music education programs (Sound Tracks and Creating Identity), an annual Concert for Peace signature event, intimate salon concerts, and community engagement programs supporting emerging composers and musicians.
Product overview
Fulcrum Point New Music Project is a nonprofit new music ensemble and cultural organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offering centers on concert performances of adventurous contemporary classical music. This is supported by educational initiatives (Sound Tracks and Creating Identity programs serving Chicago Public Schools), community engagement programs (Aux In: Connected! pop-up series and Discoveries/Hear & Be Heard showcases for emerging artists), intimate experiences (Salon Concerts at private residences), and signature events (the Annual Concert for Peace now in its 27th year). The organization also maintains a Media Gallery documenting performances and produces virtual events through Sound^Sphere programming. The portfolio functions as an integrated ecosystem supporting new composition, performance, education, and community building around new art music.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sound Tracks: In-school educational outreach programs serving Chicago Public Schools students with music education
- Creating Identity
- AuxIn: Connected!
- Discoveries: Hear & Be Heard
- Annual Peace Concert
Products and services
- Concert Performances Live performances of adventurous contemporary classical music presenting new compositions, multimedia events, and cross-cultural programming across various Chicago venues including the Harris Theater, Constellation, and Epiphany Center for the Arts.
- Sound Tracks In-school educational outreach program serving Chicago Public Schools students with limited or no music education access, providing musical education experiences through workshops and curriculum integration.
- Creating Identity Educational program providing musical experiences that build leadership, self-esteem, and socialization skills for participants of all ages and backgrounds.
- Aux In: Connected! Series Pop-up party series connecting rising professionals with emerging musicians, featuring performances, discussions, and collaborations that often focus on emerging composers and underrepresented voices.
- Discoveries Series showcasing new works and emerging artists including the Hear & Be Heard sub-series, providing platforms for emerging composers and artists to present their work.
- Salon Concerts Intimate concerts of new art music performed at private residences with audience participation, showcasing original compositions and improvisations by Fulcrum Point Ensemble members.
- Annual Concert for Peace Flagship annual concert event celebrating International Human Rights Day, bringing together artists and audiences of diverse backgrounds for cultural exchange and community building. Now in its 27th year.
- Sound^Sphere Virtual Events Virtual event programming including live-streamed concerts and online content connecting audiences through music.
Companies that use Fulcrum Point New Music Project
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Fulcrum Point New Music Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature2 records
Fulcrum Point New Music Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
26 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- IngenuityminorEducational technology partner likely supporting STEM/arts integration programs
- International Latino Cultural CentercoreCultural center partner for Latino cultural programming and events
- Kahil El'ZabarcoreChicago music legend and cultural collaborator, featured artist and advisor for The Black Composer Speaks series
- Latina Girls CodeminorPartner supporting diversity in technology and music education for young women
- Latino Music FestivalcoreAnnual festival partner for Latin American music programming and collaboration
- Make Music ChicagocorePartner for annual citywide music celebration and community engagement
- Merit Music SchoolcoreEducational partner for young composers and student music programs
- New Music ChicagocoreLocal new music advocacy organization and collaborative programming partner
- New Music USAcoreNational new music advocacy organization providing resources and visibility
- People's Music SchoolcoreFree music education partner for community engagement
- Asian Improv ArtsminorPartner for Asian American arts programming and cultural representation
- Chicago Children's ChoircorePrestigious children's choir organization for collaborative performances
- CMMAScoreMexican music center partner for cross-border cultural exchange
- ConstellationcoreChicago venue partner for performances and events
- Ear Taxi FestivalcoreMajor Chicago new music festival featuring performances and programming
- Elastic ArtscoreChicago experimental arts venue hosting performances
- The Ethnic Heritage EnsemblecoreCultural ensemble partner for Black history and heritage programming
- Fulton Street CollectivecoreMusic venue partner for performances and events
- Harris TheatercorePremier Chicago performing arts venue for main stage concerts
- Rush Hour ConcertscoreChicago music series partner for accessible performances
- Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural CentercoreLongest-standing Latiné cultural center in Chicago for Puerto Rican and Latin American cultural programming
- Seth Parker WoodscoreFeatured cellist and Curator of Inclusion & Discoveries for programming
- The Poetry FoundationcoreLiterary organization partner for Peace Concert series featuring poet collaborations
- The PromontorycoreHyde Park venue partner for performances
- Thodos Dance ChicagominorDance company partner for multidisciplinary performances
- Young Chicago AuthorscoreYouth arts organization partner for creative writing and music programming
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Fulcrum Point New Music Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bang on a Can: Bang on a Can is a New York-based nonprofit that presents and promotes contemporary and experimental music through its All-Stars ensemble, festivals, and recordings—an analogous nonprofit model combining adventurous programming, commissioning, and educational outreach.
- Spektral Quartet: Spektral Quartet is a Chicago-based new music string quartet that commissions and performs contemporary works and partners with composers and cultural institutions—sharing Fulcrum Point's geography, nonprofit funding model, and adventurous-repertoire focus.
- Eighth Blackbird: Eighth Blackbird is a Chicago-based contemporary music ensemble known for commissioning and performing new works from living composers, with strong education and residency programs—closely mirroring Fulcrum Point's ensemble-performance, commissioning, and school outreach model.
- International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE): ICE is a Chicago/New York-based nonprofit contemporary music ensemble that commissions, premieres, and tours new works by living composers—directly overlapping with Fulcrum Point's mission of adventurous new art music performance, cross-genre programming, and composer development.
- Alarm Will Sound: Alarm Will Sound is a contemporary music ensemble performing new and existing works across genres from Beethoven to electronic—closely aligned with Fulcrum Point's cross-genre, experimental, multimedia approach to new art music.
Emerging players
- Nu Deco Ensemble: Nu Deco Ensemble is a Miami-based hybrid contemporary ensemble blending classical with electronic, hip-hop, and jazz—comparable in spirit to Fulcrum Point's multimedia/cross-genre programming and guest-artist collaboration model.
Broad incumbents
- Chicago Sinfonietta: Chicago Sinfonietta is a Chicago-based nonprofit orchestra that performs classical music with strong education/outreach programs—comparable to Fulcrum Point as a Chicago nonprofit performing-arts presenter with foundation funding and educational programming.
- Kronos Quartet: Kronos Quartet is a legendary contemporary music string quartet with a 50+ year history of commissioning, recording, and performing new work—a larger, more established presence in the same adventurous new music space where Fulcrum Point operates.
Regional players
- Black Ensemble Theater: Black Ensemble Theater is a Chicago-based nonprofit performing arts organization producing original works and education programs—a peer-sized regional arts nonprofit sharing Chicago geography, funding model (foundations, NEA, state/city grants), and education-outreach mission.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fulcrum Point New Music Project social profiles
Digital presenceFulcrum Point New Music Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fulcrum Point New Music Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Fulcrum Point New Music Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fulcrum Point New Music Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fulcrum Point New Music Project
What does Fulcrum Point New Music Project do?
Fulcrum Point New Music Project is a nonprofit arts organization that presents live concert performances of adventurous contemporary classical music and new art music across Chicago-area venues. It supplements its concert programming with in-school music education programs (Sound Tracks and Creating Identity), an annual Concert for Peace signature event, intimate salon concerts, and community engagement programs supporting emerging composers and musicians.
Is Fulcrum Point New Music Project a public or private company?
Fulcrum Point New Music Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Fulcrum Point New Music Project founded?
Fulcrum Point New Music Project was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Fulcrum Point New Music Project based?
Fulcrum Point New Music Project is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Fulcrum Point New Music Project make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Corporate Grants and ticket Sales.
Who are Fulcrum Point New Music Project's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bang on a Can, Spektral Quartet, Eighth Blackbird, International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) and Alarm Will Sound. Nu Deco Ensemble is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Chicago Sinfonietta and Kronos Quartet. Black Ensemble Theater is listed as a regional player.
Does Fulcrum Point New Music Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fulcrum Point New Music Project.
What industry is Fulcrum Point New Music Project in?
Fulcrum Point New Music Project's product category is Performing Arts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAKAC, Performing Arts & Music Lessons (Dance, Drumming, Instrument Lessons, Theater), with a secondary code of EDAMANAC, Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir). Its NAICS code is 71113.