Anacostia Arts Center

What Anacostia Arts Center does

The Anacostia Arts Center (AAC) is a nonprofit community arts center located at 1231 Marion Barry Avenue SE in Historic Anacostia, Washington, D.C. (Ward 8). Originally developed by ARCH Development Corporation and opened in June 2013, the 9,300-square-foot facility houses a gallery, a Black Box Theater, retail incubation storefronts, and The HIVE coworking space. It is owned and managed by the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF), which acquired the building in December 2021 to preserve it as a community asset and is currently driving a transformative renovation scheduled to begin October 15, 2025, with an expected reopening in February 2027.

AAC operates a community-led, event-driven model serving three primary constituencies: local artists and creatives seeking affordable exhibition and performance space; Ward 7 and 8 entrepreneurs needing below-market retail and incubation support via the Seed to Storefront program (which includes a $5,000 onboarding grant, technical assistance, pro bono legal services through the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, and Booz Allen Hamilton operational advisory); and Anacostia community residents who use the center as a cultural gathering space. Revenue is generated through a mix of below-market retail rents with escalating structures, coworking membership fees, event venue rentals (currently paused), signature events such as Fusion Festival and Afro House: Spirit Fest, donations and a Final Mile fundraising campaign, and institutional grants including a nearly $4 million Bowser/DMPED grant to the Anacostia BID for the Anacostia Arts and Culture District. The organization has 1–10 employees and leadership was restructured in June 2026 with the promotion of Messay Derebe to Executive Director ahead of the planned 2027 reopening.

Name

Anacostia Arts Center

Legal name

Anacostia Arts Center

Website

https://anacostiaartscenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Anacostia Arts Center is a nonprofit community arts center in Historic Anacostia, Washington, D.C., operated by WACIF. It provides gallery, theater, coworking, and below-market retail incubation space to local artists, Ward 7 and 8 entrepreneurs, and community residents. Currently closed for renovation until February 2027.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Arts Center

NAICS

Museums (71211), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

Keywords

• Community arts center
• Retail incubation program
• Coworking space services
• Performing arts venue
• Small business support

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The center relies on donations and fundraising campaigns, including a 'Final Mile' campaign to complete renovations, with donor wall recognition starting at $500.
2. Grants and Institutional Funding: Receives grants from organizations including WACIF (parent organization), and was part of a nearly $4 million grant to Anacostia BID from Mayor Bowser for arts and culture district development.
3. Retail and Event Space Rental: Below-market retail incubation spaces and event venue rentals generate revenue. The Seed to Storefront program offers subsidized retail spaces with escalating rent structures.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Anacostia Arts Center is a nonprofit community arts facility in Historic Anacostia, Washington DC, providing gallery exhibitions, Black Box Theater performances, retail incubation spaces, and coworking facilities (The HIVE) for artists, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. The center runs the Seed to Storefront retail incubation program with below-market rents, technical assistance, and cohort-based business training for Ward 7 and 8 entrepreneurs. It hosts signature community events including Fusion Festival and Afro House: Spirit Fest.

Product overview

The Anacostia Arts Center (AAC) is a community arts center offering a unified set of facilities and programs supporting arts, culture, and small business development in historic Anacostia, Washington DC. The center operates as a multi-disciplinary space combining physical infrastructure (gallery, Black Box Theater, coworking space called The HIVE, and retail spaces) with programmatic offerings including the Seed to Storefront retail incubation program, Fusion Festival, and Afro House: Spirit Fest. The center is managed by WACIF (Washington Area Community Investment Fund) and serves as a hub for artists, entrepreneurs, and community members East of the River.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The HIVE: Coworking space for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and creatives; temporarily relocated during renovation.
• Seed to Storefront
• Fusion Festival
• Afro House: Spirit Fest

Products and services

• Anacostia Arts Center Facility A 9,300 sq ft community arts center facility in Historic Anacostia, Washington DC, serving as a home for arts, culture, and small businesses with gallery, Black Box Theater, retail incubation spaces, coworking facilities, and event space. Currently undergoing renovation with expected reopening February 2027.
• The HIVE A coworking space for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and creatives, providing affordable workspace and business incubator services to support the local arts and creative economy. Temporarily relocated during the center's renovation.
• Seed to Storefront A retail incubation program providing below-market retail space paired with technical assistance, legal support, and cohort-based business training to entrepreneurs in Ward 7 and 8. Includes a $5,000 onboarding grant and 3-year cohort terms with escalating rent structures.
• The Edmonson Retail Spaces Retail space opportunities at a newly developed property in Anacostia, offering commercial spaces including a 10,901 sq ft market anchor space, 4,940 sq ft retail space, and 6,560 sq ft food service space for community-serving businesses. Below-market rate with escalating structure over 3-10 year lease terms.
• Black Box Theater A flexible performance space within the Anacostia Arts Center used for theater productions, performances, and community events. Hosts the Resident Theatre Incubation Project launched June 2018 to nurture new theatrical work.
• Gallery Exhibition space within the Arts Center showcasing local and regional artists through rotating exhibitions and curated shows, including the annual East of the River Exhibition celebrating Ward 7 and 8 artists since 2007.
• Fusion Festival An annual festival celebrating innovation and community in the DMV region, bringing together entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders for workshops, panels, and networking with tech, arts, culture, and strategic planning tracks.
• Afro House: Spirit Fest An annual signature event celebrating Black History Month, featuring local artists, wellness practitioners, creative marketplace, and community healing activities focused on mental health, wellness, and creative expression.
• Event Venue Rentals Event venue rental services for community gatherings, performances, and celebrations at the Anacostia Arts Center. Currently paused during construction but expected to resume at reopening in February 2027.

Quantifiable outcome

• Has supported, launched, and expanded hundreds of small businesses through workshops and networking
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• D.C. Bar Pro Bono CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Provides pro bono legal support for small businesses participating in the Seed to Storefront retail incubation program, including entity formation, corporate law, contracts, and leasing assistance.
• Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Co-founder of the Seed to Storefront initiative, supporting entrepreneurs east of the Anacostia River with technical assistance and retail incubation.
• Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021WACIF acquired the Anacostia Arts Center in December 2021 and serves as its managing organization. WACIF is powering the center's transformative renovation and continues to support local arts and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ward 7 and 8.
• Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for The Edmonson retail spaces, offering below-market commercial real estate for small businesses in Anacostia.
• Booz Allen HamiltoncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides hands-on advisory support for cohort participants including retail readiness, financial planning, store operations, and business growth strategy.
• EDENSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development partner contributing expertise for Seed to Storefront program, including real estate decisions, lease terms and negotiations, and food halls.
• East River JazzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for monthly East River Jazz Brunch series, providing jazz programming at the arts center café.
• Anacostia BIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness Improvement District partner supporting Art to GoGo program that funded Jordan Foshee's Dream Domain exhibition.
• Far Southeast CollaborativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgrammatic partner for Fusion Festival bringing together leaders and innovators from the DMV region.
• DC Start Up WeekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgrammatic partner for Fusion Festival innovation and entrepreneurship programming.
• Georgetown University Communications, Culture and Technology ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcademic partner for Fusion Festival educational programming and thought leadership.
• ARCH Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal developer and operator of the Anacostia Arts Center. Founded in 1991, ARCH focuses on economic regeneration of Historic Anacostia using arts, cultural, and creative economy development.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Flashpoint: DC creative venue offering exhibition, performance, and residency programming. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary community arts space supporting emerging artists and arts-driven small businesses.
• Joe's Movement Emporium: Community-rooted performing arts and media arts center in the DC metro area combining theater, gallery, and workforce training — analogous to AAC's theater + gallery + community development mission.
• Atlas Performing Arts Center: Washington DC community arts venue combining theater, gallery, and artist-support programming. Operates as a multi-tenant creative hub similar to AAC's Black Box Theater + gallery + retail incubation model.
• Honfleur Gallery: Anacostia-adjacent DC gallery and a current AAC programmatic partner running the East of the River Distinguished Artist Award. Comparable as a community-rooted visual arts venue serving Ward 7 and 8 artists.
• CulturalDC: DC-based nonprofit that develops creative real estate and supports arts venues and artist-led spaces. Directly comparable to AAC's combined arts-venue + small-business incubation focus.
• The DC Arts Center: Community arts organization in the DC region offering gallery and performance programming with a mission similar to AAC's local artist development and exhibition focus.

Regional players

• Smith Center for Healing and the Arts: DC-based nonprofit integrating arts programming with community health and economic inclusion — overlapping AAC's cultural programming + community economic development focus.
• Studio 380: Historic Anacostia-based arts and cultural organization operating in the same neighborhood as AAC, with comparable mission of community-rooted arts programming and cultural preservation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AnacostiaArts
• Facebookfacebook.com/AnacostiaArtsCenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/anacostiaarts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/anacostia-arts-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Anacostia Arts Center