What Live Arts Miami does

Live Arts Miami is a non-profit performing arts presenter and producer operating as a program of Miami Dade College, a public state college in Florida. Founded in 1990 as Cultura del Lobo by arts impresario Olga Garay and later rebranded to MDC Live Arts before assuming its current name in September 2020, the organization has delivered more than three decades of multicultural performing arts programming in South Florida. Its product portfolio comprises a core presenting platform anchored by thematic initiatives including LABS (professional development), LALA / Live Arts Labs Alliance (flagship artist-in-residency), FUTURE EARTH FELLOW and EcoCultura (environmental-arts intersection), Mundo (international programming), Ojalá/Inshallah (interfaith dialogue), Spotlight (emerging artists), Live On Site, and Beyond Performances, alongside signature events such as the Artistry in Rhythm (A.I.R.) Dance Conference and individual productions like House of Twelve (2026) and Summon (2023).

The underlying technology is minimal: the organization relies on physical venues across MDC campuses (Wolfson, Padron, Kendall) and partner spaces (Sandrell Rivers Theater, Superblue Miami, Koubek Memorial Center), supplemented by virtual/hybrid streaming for select events and a digital Performance Archive. No proprietary software, app, API, patents, or AI capabilities are present in the disclosed stack. Ticket distribution runs through a third-party platform (tickets.ftfshows.com) for the general public, with venue-based free pickup for MDC students and email-request discounted distribution for MDC faculty and staff.

Revenue is generated through three streams: institutional support from Miami Dade College, foundation grants from funders listed as powering sponsors (Knight Foundation, National Performance Network), and individual donations plus ticket sales. Pricing is heavily subsidized for the MDC community — free for students, discounted for faculty/staff — while general-public pricing is not publicly disclosed. The organization serves a hybrid go-to-market combining event-driven live performance presentation with community-led engagement through residencies, education programs (Student Ambassadors, Faculty Task Force), and co-presentation partnerships with external cultural organizations (Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator, Third Horizon, Juggerknot Theatre, Jubilation Dance Ensemble) and academic institutions (Duke University, Contemporary Arts Center).

Name

Live Arts Miami

Legal name

Live Arts Miami

Website

https://liveartsmiami.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Live Arts Miami is a Miami-based non-profit performing arts presenter and producer, operating as a program of Miami Dade College. It delivers multicultural live performances, artist residencies, education programs, and community engagement across South Florida, serving MDC students, faculty, local artists, and the broader Miami public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Institutional Funding: Live Arts Miami is a program of Miami Dade College and receives institutional support from the college, along with funding from foundations such as Knight Foundation and National Performance Network.
2. Donations and Contributions: The organization accepts donations from supporters to fund performances, artist residencies, and community programs.
3. Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from ticket sales to general public performances, with free admission for MDC students and discounted tickets for MDC faculty and staff.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Live Arts Miami is a non-profit performing arts presenter that produces and curates live performances, artist residencies, professional development programs, and community engagement initiatives for South Florida audiences. The organization runs a portfolio of signature productions (e.g., House of Twelve, Summon, Breaking The Thermometer to Hide the Fever), the annual A.I.R. Dance Conference, the LALA artist-in-residence program, the LABS professional development umbrella, and a series of thematic initiatives (EcoCultura, Mundo, Live On Site, Spotlight, Ojalá/Inshallah). It serves both the general public through ticket sales and the Miami Dade College community through free and discounted access.

Product overview

Live Arts Miami is a unified performing arts platform (formerly MDC Live Arts, originally Cultura del Lobo founded in 1990) that presents dynamic performances, immersive learning experiences, and community programs. The organization operates through a portfolio of interconnected initiatives including: LABS (professional development umbrella), LALA (artist-in-residence flagship program), and thematic programs such as FUTURE EARTH FELLOW, EcoCultura, Live On Site, Mundo, Ojalá/Inshallah, and Spotlight. The platform produces signature events like the Artistry in Rhythm (A.I.R.) Dance Conference and specific performances such as House of Twelve and Summon. Community engagement extends through partnerships, education programs, and the Performance Archive documenting over 35 years of programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Performance Productions A series of curated live performing arts productions presented by Live Arts Miami at Miami Dade College venues and partner venues (e.g., Sandrell Rivers Theater, Superblue Miami), open to the general public through ticket sales, with free admission for MDC students and discounted access for MDC faculty and staff. Productions span theater, dance, music, and multidisciplinary work connecting global and local artists.
• Artistry in Rhythm (A.I.R.) Dance Conference An annual dance symposium exploring socially-committed contemporary dance and the transformative power of expressive movement, featuring curated conversations, performances, and workshops aimed at dancers and dance audiences.
• LALA Artist-in-Residence Program (Live Arts Labs Alliance) Flagship artist-in-residence program that provides space, mentorship, and resources for artists to create groundbreaking new works and engage with the Miami community, including community-facing LALA Open Studio sessions.
• LABS Professional Development Professional development umbrella offering Miami-based artists master classes, monthly gatherings, creative intensives, and thought-provoking seminars to support artistic growth and collaboration.
• Thematic Arts Initiatives A suite of themed programming streams that organize Live Arts Miami's community and curatorial work around specific cultural, environmental, and social themes: FUTURE EARTH FELLOW, EcoCultura, Live On Site, Mundo, Ojalá/Inshallah, Spotlight, and Beyond Performances.
• Education Programs (Student Ambassadors and Faculty Task Force) Education and engagement initiatives including Student Ambassadors and Faculty Task Force programs that connect Miami Dade College students and faculty with Live Arts Miami performances and learning opportunities.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Third HorizonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Third Horizon co-presented 'Summon' by Shamar Watt alongside Live Arts Miami and Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator.
• Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts IncubatorminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator co-presented 'Summon' by Shamar Watt alongside Live Arts Miami and Third Horizon.
• Duke UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Duke University commissioned Leyla McCalla's 'Breaking The Thermometer to Hide the Fever' and acquired the Radio Haiti archives in 2016. Duke brought in Live Arts Miami as a co-commissioning partner.
• Contemporary Arts CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Contemporary Arts Center is a co-commissioning partner with Duke University and Live Arts Miami for 'Breaking The Thermometer to Hide the Fever.'
• Jubilation Dance EnsembleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Jubilation Dance Ensemble co-presented the 2021 A.I.R. Dance Conference with Live Arts Miami.
• MDC Kendall Campus Performing Arts and Industries DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021MDC Kendall Campus Performing Arts and Industries Department co-presented the 2021 A.I.R. Dance Conference.
• Miami Dade CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLive Arts Miami is a program of Miami Dade College, receiving institutional support and access to college facilities and student populations. MDC founded the organization as part of cultural initiatives in the 1980s-90s to revitalize Miami's arts circuit.
• Juggerknot TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLALA Open Studio is presented by Live Arts Miami in partnership with Juggerknot Theatre, providing artist-led community creative sessions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center: Regional performing arts venue/presenter in the Miami-Dade area; competes for touring artists and serves overlapping community audiences with comparable presenting model.
• Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre: South Florida regional theater producing and presenting live performances; comparable scale, ticket-based revenue model, and Miami-area audience reach.
• Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM): Miami cultural institution presenting interdisciplinary programming (visual + performing arts + community programs) with overlapping audience base and parallel foundation funding sources in the Miami arts ecosystem.
• Colony Theatre (Miami Beach): Miami Beach-based performing arts venue and presenter with comparable community programming and South Florida audience base.

Direct peers

• Miami City Ballet: A leading Miami dance company and presenter; Live Arts Miami's A.I.R. Dance Conference and dance-focused programming directly compete for the same Miami dance audiences and choreographic talent.
• Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts: Miami's largest performing arts presenter and venue operator, offering comparable presenting/booking functions across theater, dance, and music for South Florida audiences. Both organizations compete for the same audience and touring artists in the Miami market.
• New World Symphony: Miami-based performing arts institution presenting orchestral concerts, educational programs, and community engagement — directly comparable mission and Miami-area audience overlap with Live Arts Miami.
• Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator: Miami-based incubator co-presenting 'Summon' with Live Arts Miami; focuses on multicultural artistic expression and artist development — closely aligned mission and audience.
• Sandrell Rivers Theater: A Miami-based performing arts venue where Live Arts Miami regularly presents co-productions (e.g., 'Summon'). Operates as both a venue and a presenter with overlapping artistic programming in dance, theater, and community work.
• Juggerknot Theatre Company: Miami-based theater company partnering with Live Arts Miami on LALA Open Studio; comparable scale, mission around adventurous new work, and Miami audience overlap as a producing/presenting peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LiveArtsMiami
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MDCLiveArts
• Facebookfacebook.com/liveartsmiami
• Instagraminstagram.com/liveartsmiami
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/live-arts-miami

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Live Arts Miami