What Zeitgeist does

Zeitgeist Arts is a nonprofit arts and community development organization founded in 1995 and headquartered at 222 E Superior St in downtown Duluth, Minnesota. The organization operates an integrated multi-venue campus that includes Zeitgeist Restaurant & Bar (described as Duluth's only nonprofit restaurant), Zinema 2 (a two-screen independent movie theater with combined capacity of 162 seats), the Zeitgeist Theater Company (a black-box live performance venue), Renegade Comedy (a resident improv team with weekly shows), and rotating art and music galleries. Beyond its commercial venues, Zeitgeist runs major programming lines including the annual Zeitgeist Minnesota Film Festival (a five-day event awarding $18,000 in cash prizes), the Minnesota Media Arts School (offering filmmaking and animation workshops, now operating teaching hubs in Duluth and Chisholm), and the Duluth Story Project podcast.

The organization also functions as a community development platform, anchored in Duluth's Hillside neighborhood. Its community-facing initiatives include Healthy Hillside (a five-year grassroots program with 17,000+ community conversations, 975 surveys, and 225+ vision boards), Transforming Transportation (a transportation equity initiative including the People Powered Bike Project and bus shelter art), Safer 6th Avenue East (a multi-year infrastructure reconfiguration in partnership with the City of Duluth), and Duluth Aging Support (a partnership connecting older adults with resources). These efforts are coordinated through coalitions with the Family Freedom Center, Duluth Center for Women & Children, LISC Duluth, Duluth Transit Authority, and others.

Zeitgeist's business model blends earned income with philanthropic support. Earned revenue comes from restaurant and bar sales (menu items $4-$38), ticket sales across cinema, theater, and comedy, private event rentals (Atrium capacity 120, Teatro capacity 120, Private Dining Room capacity 20), and a tiered membership program (Student $35/yr through Legacy $5,000/yr, with annual recurring billing). Income is supplemented by donations processed via DonorPerfect, grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and Minnesota Historical Society, and sponsorship from Citon, MPECU, Northland Special Events, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired in emeritus by Alan Zeppa, led by Executive Director Tony Cuneo, and supported by approximately 11-50 staff across program, operations, and restaurant functions. No technology platform, API, or AI/ML capability is offered.

Name

Zeitgeist

Legal name

Zeitgeist Arts

Website

https://zeitgeistarts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zeitgeist is a Duluth, Minnesota-based nonprofit arts and community development organization operating a multi-venue campus of restaurant, independent cinema, live theater, improv comedy, and galleries, alongside community programs in transportation equity, neighborhood health, and media arts education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Duluth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Restaurant and Bar Sales: Food and beverage sales from the Zeitgeist restaurant and bar, which operates as Duluth's only nonprofit restaurant. Income from the restaurant helps fund community programming.
2. Theater and Cinema Ticket Sales: Revenue from movie screenings at Zinema (two-screen independent movie theater), live theater performances, and improv comedy shows. Tickets sold online and at box office.
3. Membership Programs: Annual membership programs with multiple tiers ranging from $35 to $5,000 per year, offering benefits such as discounts on tickets, food, merchandise, and exclusive event access.
4. Private Event Rentals: Revenue from renting spaces including the Teatro, Zinema, Private Dining Room, Atrium, and outdoor spaces for conferences, performances, weddings, and private events.
5. Film Festival Revenue: Revenue from Zeitgeist Minnesota Film Festival including passes, tickets, and film submission fees. The festival offers passes and ticketing for the annual event.
6. Donations and Grants: Charitable contributions and government grants including Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, Minnesota Historical Society grants, and private donations from individuals and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Zeitgeist is a nonprofit arts and community development organization that operates a multi-venue arts campus in downtown Duluth, Minnesota, offering independent movie screenings at Zinema 2, live theater productions, improv comedy shows, a nonprofit restaurant and bar, and art and music exhibitions. In parallel it runs the annual Zeitgeist Minnesota Film Festival, the Minnesota Media Arts School, the Duluth Story Project podcast, and Community Placemaking initiatives addressing transportation equity and neighborhood health. Revenue from commercial operations funds community programming.

Product overview

Zeitgeist is a nonprofit arts and community development organization operating as a multi-venue arts campus in downtown Duluth, Minnesota. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected creative and community services: Zinema 2 (two-screen independent movie theater), Zeitgeist Theater Company (black box live performance venue with improv via Renegade Comedy), Zeitgeist Restaurant & Bar (nonprofit dining), and Art & Music Galleries. The organization runs major programs including the annual Zeitgeist Minnesota Film Festival and the Minnesota Media Arts School (educational workshops). Community-facing initiatives include the Duluth Story Project (storytelling podcasts), Community Placemaking (transportation equity, Healthy Hillside, Safer 6th Avenue East), and Duluth Aging Support partnerships. Additional offerings include space rentals, membership programs, and donations. The organization does not operate a technology platform with public APIs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zinema: Duluth's nonprofit, independent movie theater with two screens showing new releases, documentaries, classics, and art house films.
• Zeitgeist Theater
• Renegade Comedy
• Zeitgeist Minnesota Film Festival (ZMFF)
• Minnesota Media Arts School
• Duluth Story Project

Products and services

• Zinema 2 Movie Theater A two-screen nonprofit independent movie theater showing narrative fiction, documentaries, animations, art house, and foreign films, including new releases, classics, and cult favorites, with special events such as 35mm film screenings. Aimed at film lovers and culturally curious audiences in Duluth.
• Zeitgeist Theater Company A black box theater venue producing live performances including plays, musicals, and theatrical productions, and offering classes and camps for youth. Targeted at theater patrons and young learners in the Duluth area.
• Zeitgeist Restaurant & Bar Duluth's only nonprofit restaurant and bar, serving a diverse menu with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options, sourced from local farms and producers. Offers dine-in, takeout, and private dining for individual guests and private events.
• Renegade Comedy A resident improv comedy team performing weekly game-style improv shows with audience participation, plus private event bookings at $600-$800 per session. Targeted at comedy fans and private event hosts in Duluth.
• Zeitgeist Minnesota Film Festival An annual five-day film festival held each April celebrating bold storytelling from regional to international filmmakers, featuring screenings, panels, workshops, pitch competitions, and $18,000 in cash awards across categories including narrative feature, documentary feature, Minnesota filmmaker, Indigenous filmmaker, and short film pitches.
• Minnesota Media Arts School Educational program offering workshops and classes in filmmaking, animation, and visual arts for community members ages 16 and older, with access to equipment, studios, and creative software at the Zeitgeist Media Arts Lab and teaching hubs in Chisholm and Duluth.
• Art & Music Galleries Visual art exhibitions and live music performances displayed throughout the Zeitgeist building, featuring rotating artist showcases and Sunday brunch entertainment. Targeted at gallery visitors and patrons of the arts in downtown Duluth.
• Duluth Story Project A community storytelling initiative featuring podcast-style conversations with local leaders and advocates exploring themes of housing, resources, environments, and social connection in the Hillside neighborhood. Aimed at Duluth community members interested in local history and social issues.
• Space Rentals for Private Events Rental of venue spaces including the Atrium (capacity 120), Private Dining Room (capacity 20), Zinema theaters (capacity 98 and 64), and Teatro (capacity 120) for conferences, performances, weddings, and private events. Targeted at event organizers and corporate hosts.
• Membership Program Annual tiered membership levels ranging from $35 Student to $5,000 Legacy, offering benefits including discounts on tickets, merchandise, restaurant purchases, waived service fees, and exclusive event access. Targeted at arts patrons and supporters of Zeitgeist's nonprofit mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5 years of grassroots activism reaching 17,000+ community conversations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Roper FarmsminorOthersLocal farm supplier providing fresh ingredients to Zeitgeist restaurant. Located in Holyoke, MN.
• Yker AcresminorOthersLocal farm supplier providing quality meats to Zeitgeist restaurant. Located in Carlton, MN.
• Four Beans FarmminorOthersLocal farm supplier to Zeitgeist restaurant. Located in Holyoke, MN.
• Food FarmminorOthersLocal CSA farm supplier to Zeitgeist restaurant. Located in Wrenshall, MN.
• Bent Paddle Brewing Co.minorOthersLocal brewery providing craft beers on tap at Zeitgeist restaurant. Located in Duluth, MN.
• Vikre DistilleryminorOthersLocal distillery providing spirits including Vikre Temperance River rye whiskey featured on whiskey list. Located in Duluth, MN.
• Duluth Transit Authority (DTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in transportation equity initiatives including People Powered Bike Project, Bus Shelter Art Project, and transportation advocacy in Duluth and Superior.
• Family Freedom CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Hillside Coalition working to improve access to healthcare, healthy food, transportation, and create pathways to home and business ownership.
• Duluth Center for Women & ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Hillside Coalition addressing health disparities and community development in Duluth's Hillside neighborhood.
• LISC DuluthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Initiatives Support Corporation partner in Hillside Coalition focused on neighborhood development and economic stability.
• Minnesota Discovery CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Minnesota Media Arts School providing affordable media education and creative training in the Northland region with teaching hubs in Chisholm and Duluth.
• City of DuluthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in Safer 6th Avenue East project, transportation equity initiatives, and community development programs.
• Essentia HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner in community health initiatives and Safer 6th Avenue East advocacy.
• St. Louis County Public Health & Human ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty health partner in community health initiatives and transportation equity programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Walker Art Center: Minneapolis-based nonprofit contemporary arts organization presenting visual art, performance, film, and community programs. Comparable to Zeitgeist as a multidisciplinary nonprofit arts institution in Minnesota combining galleries, film, and public programming.
• Marcus Theatres: Midwest-based movie theater chain operating multiplexes across the upper Midwest including several Duluth-area locations. Comparable to Zeitgeist's Zinema as competing exhibition venues for film audiences in the same geography.
• Guthrie Theater: Minneapolis-based nonprofit professional regional theater producing live dramatic productions. Mirrors Zeitgeist Theater Company's nonprofit producing theater model at a larger scale in the same Minnesota market.
• First Avenue: Iconic Minneapolis nonprofit live-music and events venue that combines commercial ticketing with cultural/community programming. Comparable to Zeitgeist as a multi-program nonprofit entertainment venue with a regional cultural footprint.
• AMC Theatres: Largest U.S. movie theater chain operating multiplexes nationwide. Comparable to Zeitgeist's Zinema as a movie exhibition competitor but at vastly larger commercial scale.

Regional players

• Minnesota Historical Society: Statewide Minnesota nonprofit cultural and educational organization operating museums, historic sites, and grant programs. Already a Zeitgeist funder; comparable as a nonprofit cultural institution with grant-making exposure in the same Minnesota arts ecosystem.
• Hennepin Arts: Minneapolis nonprofit that operates historic performance venues (Pantages, Orpheum, State theatres) and runs community arts programs. Comparable to Zeitgeist as a multi-venue nonprofit arts organization mixing commercial ticketing with community programming in the upper Midwest.
• The Grand Theater: Historic nonprofit performing arts venue in Superior, WI (across the Twin Ports from Duluth) operating a multi-screen cinema and live performance programming. The closest geographically comparable multi-venue nonprofit arts space to Zeitgeist.

Direct peers

• Duluth Playhouse: Community-based performing arts organization based in Duluth, MN that produces live theater productions and youth programming. It directly overlaps with Zeitgeist's Zeitgeist Theater Company for theater audiences in the same Twin Ports market.
• Landmark Theatres: Independent/art-house movie theater chain focused on curated, foreign, documentary, and limited-release films. The closest business-model analog to Zeitgeist's two-screen Zinema, sharing programming philosophy around non-mainstream cinema.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@zeitgeistduluth
• Facebookfacebook.com/ZeitgeistDuluth
• Instagraminstagram.com/zeitgeistduluth
• Xx.com/zeitgeistcafe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zeitgeistduluth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Zeitgeist