Atlas Performing Arts Center

What Atlas Performing Arts Center does

Atlas Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts venue located at 1333 H Street NE in Washington, DC. The organization operates a 59,000 square-foot facility housed in a restored 1930s art deco movie theater (reopened 2006 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places), comprising four performance spaces — Lang Theater (258 seats), Sprenger Theater (180 seated/280 standing), Lab II (79 seated/100 standing), and Lab I (60 seated/90 standing) — plus four rehearsal studios, administrative office space, and an on-site bar. The Atlas serves three principal customer groups: performing arts organizations and artists (venue renters and four resident arts partners), DC-area arts audiences (ticket buyers across a year-round calendar), and students/educators (field trip programs, Broadway masterclasses, and youth development via the City at Peace program). It also delivers the annual multi-week INTERSECTIONS Festival (600+ artists) and co-produces the H Street Festival (150,000+ attendees) and Art All Night.

The underlying technology stack is conventional nonprofit venue infrastructure: Salesforce-based Patron Manager for ticketing and patron communications, Ungerboeck for venue rental management, JotForm for festival applications, SpotHero and AirGarage for parking, and Gusto for HR/payroll. There are no proprietary technology products or AI capabilities; the asset is fundamentally physical (the building, the stages, the production equipment) augmented by standard SaaS.

The business model is a hybrid of earned and contributed revenue typical of a mid-sized arts nonprofit. Earned revenue comes from venue rentals (Atlas retains 10% of total box office plus space usage fees with 50% due at contract signing), ticket sales for self-produced programming, and the on-site Atlas Bar (Wednesday–Sunday during performances). Contributed revenue flows from individual donations (including stock gifts, QCDs, DAFs, and legacy gifts), corporate sponsorships with tiered benefits, and government/foundation grants from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development, the National Endowment for the Arts, and private foundations. The organization also generates $1.7M+ annually in community impact through free and reduced-cost programming delivered jointly with partners. The Atlas employs 51–100 staff and is led by Executive Director Jarrod Bennett (appointed 2024), with a board chaired by Philip Holmes.

Name

Atlas Performing Arts Center

Legal name

Atlas Performing Arts Center

Website

https://atlasarts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Atlas Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a restored 1930s art deco four-venue complex on H Street NE in Washington, DC, serving performing arts organizations, DC arts audiences, and students through venue rentals, year-round programming, the annual INTERSECTIONS Festival, and youth arts education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue and Live Event Services

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Live event rentals
• Arts education programs
• Community arts festivals
• Theater production services

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Performance Ticket Sales: The Atlas sells tickets for performances through their patron management technology service. They retain 10% of total box office less credit card and merchant processing fees. Artists receive 90% of box office proceeds issued 30 business days after final contract date.
2. Venue Rentals: The Atlas rents out four performance venues (Lang Theater 258 seats, Sprenger Theater 180 seats, Lab II 79 seats, Lab I 60 seats), four rehearsal spaces, administrative office spaces, and virtual office options. 50% of space usage fee is due by contract date with balance paid prior to load-in.
3. Donations and Sponsorships: The Atlas accepts charitable donations with various giving options including stock gifts, QCDs (Qualified Charitable Distributions), DAFs, bequests, and legacy gifts. They offer corporate sponsorship opportunities with positive visibility, employee discounts, rental space discounts, ticket benefits, and recognition on marquee and website.
4. Bar and Concessions: The Atlas Bar operates Wednesday through Sunday during performances, offering coffee, wine, cocktails, beer, soft drinks, juices, and pre-packaged snacks. The bar opens at least one hour before curtain and remains open through intermission and up to 30 minutes after performances.
5. Government and Foundation Grants: The Atlas receives funding from government entities and foundations including DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC Department of Small and Local Business Development, National Endowment for the Arts, and various private foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Atlas Performing Arts Center operates a 59,000 square-foot nonprofit performing arts complex on H Street NE in Washington, DC, comprising four performance venues, four rehearsal studios, and administrative office space. The organization rents these spaces to performing arts companies and individual artists while also producing its own programming such as the annual INTERSECTIONS Festival, Atlas Presents series, and Broadway Masterclass series. It also delivers community arts education programs including City at Peace youth development, Family Fun Day, and the Atlas Arts Lab artist residency.

Product overview

Atlas Performing Arts Center is a nonprofit performing arts venue and cultural anchor of the H Street NE community in Washington, D.C. Originally built in 1938 as a movie theater and fully restored in 2006, the 59,000 square-foot facility offers four performance spaces (Lang Theater 258 seats, Sprenger Theater 180 seated/280 standing, Lab II 79 seated/100 standing, Lab I 60 seated/90 standing) available for rental. The venue produces its own programming through Atlas Presents (Broadway masterclasses, musical performances), the annual Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival (multi-week multidisciplinary festival), and supports artists via Atlas Arts Lab (residency program). Community programs include City at Peace (youth development, ages 14-24) and Family Fun Day (free all-ages events). The organization partners with Resident Arts Partners (Capital City Symphony, Mosaic Theater Company, Solas Nua, Visionaries of the Creative Arts) who share office spaces and anchor the performance season. Amenities include on-site bar/cafe, assisted listening devices, and comprehensive production support for renters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival: Annual multi-week performing arts festival presenting work that impacts society, culture, and world by informing, inspiring, educating, and entertaining
• Atlas Arts Lab
• City at Peace
• Atlas Presents
• Atlas Masterclass Series
• Atlas Bar

Products and services

• Venue Rental Program Rental of four performance spaces (Lang Theater 258 seats, Sprenger Theater 180 seated/280 standing, Lab II 79 seated/100 standing, Lab I 60 seated/90 standing) plus rehearsal studios (Meyer, Marley, Wood) and administrative office space for performing arts organizations, individual artists, and event hosts. Includes bundled production support, box office services, and marketing.
• Atlas Presents
• Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival
• Atlas Masterclass Series Educational program connecting the H Street NE community with nationally recognized Broadway artists through intimate performances and workshops offering coaching on stage presence, song selection, and performance techniques. Uses pay-what-you-can pricing for accessibility.
• City at Peace
• Family Fun Day
• Atlas Arts Lab Artist residency program providing individual artists a platform to develop new work through rehearsal space (up to 9 hours/week valued at $10,000), a culminating performance (up to $5,000 value), a $1,500 stipend plus 50% of box office proceeds, and community engagement events.
• Atlas Bar On-site bar and cafe offering themed cocktails inspired by performances, pastries from local bakeries, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks, and pre-packaged snacks. Open Wednesday-Sunday during performances, opening at least one hour before curtain through 30 minutes after performances.
• H Street Festival Single-day annual festival in its 20th year, spanning 11 blocks with 14 staging areas featuring music genres, dance, youth performances, interactive children's programs, fashion, heritage arts, poetry, and exhibitor showcases.
• Art All Night DC Art All Night festival spanning all 8 wards with visual and performing arts including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, literary arts, dance, theater, film, and poetry in indoor and outdoor spaces.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced H Street commercial vacancy rate from 75% to under 5%
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

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

• Capital City SymphonycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident Arts Partner anchoring the performance season while sharing office spaces and administrative resources. Strives to make great orchestral music approachable through affordable concerts, performing creative programs in a relaxed concert format while providing a musical outlet for talented amateur and professional players.
• Mosaic Theater Company of DCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident Arts Partner committed to making theater inclusive by bringing diverse communities together to encounter shared humanity on stage, interrogating intertwined histories and grappling with pressing social and political issues of our time. Currently in their 10th anniversary season.
• Visionaries of the Creative Arts (VOCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident Arts Partner established in July 2019 in response to the critical need of supporting works of D/deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing BIPOC artists together locally and nationwide.
• Solas NuacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident Arts Partner - 'new light' in Irish - is a leading multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated exclusively to contemporary Irish arts. Recently announced as new resident partner.
• The Theatre LabmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram Partner - the largest independent drama school in the DMV area with over 30 years of award-winning theatre education. Classes for students of all ages in acting, musical theatre, playwriting, TV, film, voiceover, and more. Provides need-based scholarships and teaches hundreds to create original works.
• H Street Main StreetmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram Partner for H Street Festival and Art All Night. Works to connect arts and H Street businesses to further enhance economic development on the H Street Corridor.
• DC Arts & Humanities Education CollaborativemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram Partner and cultural institution member providing high-quality field trip experiences for DC Public School and DC Public Charter School children through Arts & Humanities For Every Student program.
• Mid-Atlantic Arts FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram Partner as presenting member for Jazz Touring Network, French-American Jazz Exchange, and OnScreen/InPerson Film Programs.
• Broad FuturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Partner - work placement program for young neurodivergent people. Individuals from Broad Futures work at the Box Office and in Marketing, learning to thrive in a bustling environment.
• St. Coletta of Greater WashingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Partner - Adult Program at St. Coletta's offers adults age 18+ opportunities for vocational training, supported employment, life skills training, and community integration. Participants volunteer in Patron Services division.
• Glade Dance CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner collaborating on NACHMO (National Choreography Month) programming at the Atlas.
• Formant Property GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Broadway Masterclass with Christine Dwyer and Matt DeAngelis. Logo displayed at event venue.
• Placemakr Dupont CircleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial hotel sponsor for Broadway Masterclass event. Provides 20% discount to Atlas patrons with code ATLAS.
• American Pops OrchestraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerField Trips Presenting Partner providing orchestral programming for student audiences.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Signature Theatre: Regional theater company operating a multi-space venue in Arlington, VA with a resident production model and education programs. Highly comparable in scale, DMV geography, and producing/rental mix to Atlas.
• Arena Stage: Major DC performing arts center with three performance spaces, regional theater producing, and education programs. Larger scale peer with similar multi-tenant, multi-program operating model.
• Howard Theatre: Historic DC theater (1910) restored in 2012, presenting music and comedy. Comparable as a historic DC venue combining presenting and rental with cultural revitalization impact.
• Shakespeare Theatre Company: DC's largest classical theater company operating the Harman and Klein venues with producing, presenting, and education arms. Comparable in programming depth, donor model, and venue-based operations.
• Lincoln Theatre: Restored 1920s historic DC theater on U Street NW that presents music, comedy, and spoken word as both a presenting and rental venue. Closely comparable in historic art deco/classical architecture, DC urban location, and presenting-rental model.
• Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company: Innovative DC theater company with a single primary venue, education programs, and a producing-presenting mix. Closely comparable in mission, scale, and DC audience focus.
• Studio Theatre: DC-based multi-stage performing arts venue producing contemporary theater with educational programming. Comparable in venue size, mission focus, and DC audience base.

Regional players

• Round House Theatre: Regional theater company in Bethesda, MD with a single mainstage and education programs. Comparable in producing-rental mix and DMV mission focus; operates in a different sub-market from Atlas.

Broad incumbents

• Kennedy Center: National performing arts center and the dominant DC venue for large-scale performing arts, presenting resident and touring productions. Far larger and broader in scope, but the principal incumbent whose programming and education activities set the local context.

Others

• Atlas Performing Arts Center's comparable municipal arts centers (e.g., AFI Silver Theatre): AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, MD is a restored historic single-screen movie palace turned cultural center, offering film programming and cultural events. Comparable in adaptive reuse of a historic DC-area cinema asset, though focused on film rather than live performing arts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/atlaspacdc
• Facebookfacebook.com/atlasarts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atlas-performing-arts-center

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Atlas Performing Arts Center