Velocity Dance Center
Velocity Dance Center is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the city's only center dedicated to contemporary dance, running a January-to-October season of performances, the month-long Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation, tiered artist incubators, and year-round classes and residencies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Velocity Dance Center does
Velocity Dance Center is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Federal Tax ID 91-2030037) operating as the city's center dedicated to contemporary dance. The organization runs a structured January-to-October season comprising ticketed performances, the Pick 3 Show Subscription, and the month-long Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation (SFD+I, July 12 – August 9), which has more than 30 years of community-building history. Its core service lines are: (i) Creative Incubator Programs for artists at multiple career stages — Bridge Project (emerging), OUT THERE (regional), Co-Production (established regional), Made in Seattle (nationally emerging), and the Curating Artist in Residence (CAiR) program; (ii) SFD+I performance cohorts at Professional, Intermediate, and Beginner levels plus an 8-day Research Week (AUG 2–9) of intensives, jams, and drop-ins; and (iii) ongoing classes, workshops, and year-round residencies at 12th Ave Arts and the Erickson Theater in Seattle.
The underlying operating platform is entirely composed of third-party SaaS tools rather than proprietary technology: Salesforce for ticketing (Pick 3 subscriptions and individual tickets), JotForm for cohort and program registration, MindBody for payment processing, Discord for SFD+I housing coordination, Vimeo for video, Google Analytics and Facebook/Google Ads pixels for marketing analytics, and Termly for cookie consent. Pricing is publicly disclosed: Beginner Cohort $650, Intermediate Cohort $750–$850, Research Week $750, and Ultimate SFD+I bundle $995–$1,200, each with a non-refundable $350 deposit and full payment due by June 19. TBIPOC tuition fee waivers of $10,000 annually and a Work Trade credit program ($1/hour worked) provide equity access. Revenue mechanics are diversified across ticket sales, program registration fees, individual donations, and grants from 4 Culture, ArtsFund, and the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture. Audience and participant acquisition is event-driven and direct-to-consumer via the website, mailing list, social media, and community word-of-mouth, with no third-party resellers or distributors in the model.
Velocity Dance Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Velocity Dance Center
- Legal name
- Velocity Dance Center
- Website
- https://velocitydancecenter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Velocity Dance Center is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the city's only center dedicated to contemporary dance, running a January-to-October season of performances, the month-long Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation, tiered artist incubators, and year-round classes and residencies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Velocity Dance Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts / Dance Education
- NAICS
- Dance Companies (711120), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dance Performances (THAJAFAD), Dancers, Choreographers & Dance Troupes Booking (HSACAHAD)
Keywords
Where Velocity Dance Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Velocity Dance Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual show tickets and subscription packages (Pick 3 Shows) for performances held January through October. Ticketing powered by Salesforce platform.
- Program Registration Fees: Fees collected for the Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation (SFD+I) including Performance Cohorts (Professional, Intermediate, Beginner), Research Week intensives, drop-in classes, and the Ultimate SFD+I bundled program. Registration through JotForm.
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (Federal Tax ID 91-2030037), Velocity relies on donor contributions. The website features a prominent donate button and support options for individual artist projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Beginner Cohort — 3 evening classes/week + rehearsals + 3 final performances |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Intermediate Cohort — 5 evening classes/week + rehearsals + 3 final performances |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Research Week — Full 8-day immersive with intensives, jams, and show tickets |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Ultimate SFD+I — Bundled Performance Cohort + Research Week |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Drop-in Classes and À la carte intensives |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | TBIPOC Tuition Waivers and Work Trade Credits |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Velocity Dance Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Velocity Dance Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization in Seattle that delivers contemporary dance programming year-round, including the annual month-long Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation (SFD+I), multi-level performance cohorts (Professional, Intermediate, Beginner), Research Week intensives, year-round classes and workshops, and a portfolio of Creative Incubator programs (Bridge Project, OUT THERE, Co-Production, Made in Seattle, Curating Artist in Residence). It also offers Pick 3 Show Subscriptions, drop-in classes, and financial assistance programs such as TBIPOC tuition waivers and work trade credits.
Product overview
Velocity Dance Center is Seattle's center dedicated to contemporary dance, operating as a multi-program arts organization with a portfolio of interconnected offerings. The core programs include the annual Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation (SFD+I), a month-long festival featuring performance cohorts (Ultimate, Professional, Intermediate, Beginner levels) and Research Week intensives. Artist development is handled through creative incubator programs: OUT THERE (regional), Made in Seattle (national), Co-Production (established regional), Bridge Project (emerging), and Curating Artist in Residence (CAiR). Additional offerings include Pick 3 Show Subscriptions, drop-in classes, and financial assistance programs (TBIPOC Tuition Waivers, Work Trade, TBIPOC Drop-In Pass). The portfolio spans from beginner education through professional artist development, culminating in performances and festivals throughout the January-October season.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- OUT THERE: Regional Creative Incubator program supporting emerging dance artists in the Pacific Northwest.
- Bridge Project
- Co-Production
- Made in Seattle
- Curating Artist in Residence (CAiR)
Products and services
- Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation (SFD+I) Annual month-long immersive festival (JUL 12 – AUG 9) celebrating dance and improvisation with performance cohorts, research week, intensives, workshops, jams, and professional development for adult dancers.
- Ultimate SFD+I Comprehensive bundled package combining a performance cohort with full research week access at discounted rate ($1,200 standard; $995 early bird), designed as Velocity's best summer dance immersion offering.
- Professional Performance Cohort Advanced-level cohort (JUL 12-19, JUL 19-AUG 1) for professional dancers featuring deep training with renowned faculty including BRKFST and Nia-Amina Minor, culminating in final performances.
- Intermediate Performance Cohort Evening program for dancers with a few years of experience, meeting M-F with Mark Haim choreography and final performances in early August. Priced at $850 standard; $750 with early bird pricing.
- Beginner Performance Cohort Evening cohort (M, W, F) for adults new to dance featuring beginner technique classes in Contemporary and House, culminating in new dance creation with choreographer Kara Beadle. Priced at $650.
- Research Week Full eight-day intensives and workshops (AUG 2-9) centering improvisational dance practice with local and international faculty, including jams, drop-ins, and participant showings. Priced at $750.
- OUT THERE Regional Creative Incubator program supporting established artists to premiere new dance works in Seattle through multi-week residencies and October performances.
- Made in Seattle Nationally emerging creative incubator supporting Seattle-based artists to develop and present new work with national touring potential.
- Co-Production Regionally established creative incubator program for artists with established practices to premiere new works in Seattle.
- Bridge Project Emerging creative incubator supporting emerging artists at the beginning of their choreographic careers.
- Curating Artist in Residence (CAiR) Curatorial residency program placing artists in residence to develop new work and contribute to Velocity's programming decisions.
- Pick 3 Show Subscription Subscription offering access to 3 shows plus 1 bonus performance from January to October season, providing discounted access to Velocity performances.
- Drop-in Classes Individual class access available throughout the festival for morning technique classes and evening sessions, with registration opening June 20.
- TBIPOC Tuition Waivers Financial assistance program providing $10,000 in annual tuition fee waivers for dancers identifying as Transgender, Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color.
- Work Trade Program Volunteer exchange program where participants earn Velocity Work Trade Credits ($1 credit per hour) redeemable for classes and shows in exchange for administrative tasks.
- TBIPOC Drop-In Pass Unlimited drop-in class pass for 8 TBIPOC participants throughout the festival months, excluding cohort rehearsals and research week intensives.
- Classes + Workshops Year-round dance education offerings including technique classes, workshops, jams, and intensives for adult dancers at all levels.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 30 years of continuous festival programming and community building
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Velocity Dance Center
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Velocity Dance Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Velocity Dance Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Seattle Office of Arts and CulturecoreMajor supporter of the Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation (SFD+I). Provides public funding to support festival operations and programming.
- ArtsFundcoreGenerous supporter of the Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation, contributing to the festival's annual programming and operations.
- 4 CulturecoreProvides financial support for SFD+I and funds the Public Free Access Program which enables free and reduced-cost access to festival programming. Also supports site-specific programming.
- Seattle Art MuseumminorPartnership for site-specific programming during SFD+I. Velocity's site-specific events are presented in partnership with the Seattle Art Museum.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Velocity Dance Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Joyce Theater: NYC dance presenting venue offering subscription ticketing, artist residencies, and education programming. Comparable to Velocity's Pick 3 Show Subscription model and presenter role for contemporary dance.
- Spectrum Dance Theater: Seattle-based contemporary dance company producing original works, classes, and community programs. Operates in the same Seattle contemporary dance ecosystem as Velocity with overlapping audience and artist populations.
- New York Live Arts: NYC dance presenting and artist residency organization supporting choreographers across career stages. Closely analogous to Velocity's presenter-plus-incubator model, particularly the Bridge/Made in Seattle progression.
- On the Boards: Seattle-based contemporary performance organization presenting experimental dance, theater, and performance art. Shares Velocity's Seattle geography, contemporary dance curation, and artist residency/presentation structure.
- Gibney: NYC-based dance and social justice center that combines artist residencies, performance presentation, classes, and community programs under a single nonprofit. Directly comparable to Velocity's hybrid center model integrating creative incubation, presenting, and education.
Regional players
- Pacific Northwest Ballet: Seattle's largest professional ballet company with related school and performance programming. Shares Velocity's Seattle dance market but operates at significantly larger scale and different stylistic focus.
Broad incumbents
- Mark Morris Dance Group: Nationally established dance company with integrated school, performance, and community programs. Comparable to Velocity in combining training, presenting, and community programming, but at materially larger scale.
Others
- National Dance Project: National dance funding and touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts. Comparable as the institutional ecosystem in which Velocity operates; cited directly by Velocity's board as recognizing its national importance.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Velocity Dance Center social profiles
Digital presenceVelocity Dance Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Velocity Dance Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Velocity Dance Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Velocity Dance Center 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 Velocity Dance Center
What does Velocity Dance Center do?
Velocity Dance Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization in Seattle that delivers contemporary dance programming year-round, including the annual month-long Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation (SFD+I), multi-level performance cohorts (Professional, Intermediate, Beginner), Research Week intensives, year-round classes and workshops, and a portfolio of Creative Incubator programs (Bridge Project, OUT THERE, Co-Production, Made in Seattle, Curating Artist in Residence). It also offers Pick 3 Show Subscriptions, drop-in classes, and financial assistance programs such as TBIPOC tuition waivers and work trade credits.
Is Velocity Dance Center a public or private company?
Velocity Dance Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Velocity Dance Center founded?
Velocity Dance Center was founded in 1996. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Velocity Dance Center based?
Velocity Dance Center is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Velocity Dance Center make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are program Registration Fees and donations and Charitable Contributions.
Who are Velocity Dance Center's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Joyce Theater, Spectrum Dance Theater, New York Live Arts, On the Boards and Gibney. Pacific Northwest Ballet is listed as a regional player. Mark Morris Dance Group is listed as a broad incumbent. National Dance Project is listed as an others.
Does Velocity Dance Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Velocity Dance Center.
What industry is Velocity Dance Center in?
Velocity Dance Center's product category is Performing Arts / Dance Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGADAJ, Dance Festivals & Dance Series, with a secondary code of THAJAFAD, Dance Performances. Its NAICS code is 711120 and its SIC code is 7900.