ArtspaceNC
ArtspaceNC is a 40-year-old nonprofit visual arts center in Downtown Raleigh operating 30 subsidized artist studios, four gallery/event spaces, and youth/community programming — serving working artists, K–12 families, corporate clients, and the Triangle-area community through studio rentals, event hires, classes, and exhibitions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersRaleigh, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What ArtspaceNC does
ArtspaceNC (legal name: Artspace) is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit visual arts center founded in 1985 and headquartered at 201 E Davie St in Downtown Raleigh's City Market, where it operates two floors containing four rentable spaces (Gallery 1, Learning Studio, Gallery 2, and The People's Studio), 30 partially subsidized artist studios, and educational programming rooms. The organization serves working visual artists (who rent studios at $17.50/sqft annually and are expected to work 15–20 hours/week publicly), youth and families (via an 8-week Summer Art Program for rising grades 1–12 priced at $160 members / $182 non-members per 3-hour camp, with up to 60 need-based scholarships per summer), corporate clients (through event rentals ranging $600–$3,000 and creative team building at $100/person), and the broader Raleigh community (through free First Friday monthly events, Family Day series, Arts on the Block, the annual Art Bash fundraiser, and the mobile Artspace on the Go outreach program that has reached 1,000+ people since July 2024). Business model combines earned revenue (studio rents, event rentals, class fees, art sales commissions of 30–40%, membership dues) with philanthropic revenue (individual donations, sponsorships, public funding from City of Raleigh Arts Commission, United Arts Council of Raleigh + Wake County, North Carolina Arts Council, Raleigh Arts, and NC Rural Center); there is no equity funding, no parent entity, and no public listing, and the organization is governed by an independent board including representatives from Baker Donelson, NC State University, Red Hat, Pendo, and Duke Energy, with Carly P. Jones serving as President + CEO over a 13–15 person staff.
ArtspaceNC does not develop proprietary technology products; its competitive product surface is the physical facility and the programmatic IP layered onto it. Marquee programming includes the biennial FRESH exhibition (4,500+ visitors, 200+ NC artists) and Carolina Roots (4,000+ visitors, celebrating rural NC artists), the 37th annual Summer Art Program, recurring juried calls for art ($25 members / $35 non-members for FRESH entry), membership priority registration, and structured corporate sponsorship packages tied to specific events. Distribution is primarily regional (Southeast US, North Carolina), with reach measured at approximately 25,000 annual building visitors and 70,000 annual unique website visitors.
ArtspaceNC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ArtspaceNC
- Legal name
- Artspace
- Website
- https://artspacenc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ArtspaceNC is a 40-year-old nonprofit visual arts center in Downtown Raleigh operating 30 subsidized artist studios, four gallery/event spaces, and youth/community programming — serving working artists, K–12 families, corporate clients, and the Triangle-area community through studio rentals, event hires, classes, and exhibitions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ArtspaceNC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Visual Arts Center
- NAICS
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
Keywords
Where ArtspaceNC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Raleigh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ArtspaceNC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Memberships: ArtspaceNC generates revenue through annual memberships that provide access to member-only registration for programs and events, discounts on classes and summer camps, and other member benefits. The membership program is a key recurring revenue stream supporting the organization's operations.
- Event Rentals: ArtspaceNC rents out four event spaces: Gallery 1 (1st floor), Learning Studio (1st floor), Gallery 2 (2nd floor), and The People's Studio (2nd floor). Half-day and full-day rentals are available with rates ranging from $600 to $3,000 depending on space. The entire building may also be rented for large events. This is a recurring revenue stream from corporate events, micro weddings, fundraisers, and receptions.
- Corporate Team Building: ArtspaceNC offers corporate team building programs at $100/person with a maximum of 30 participants and minimum of 5 participants. Sessions run 2.5 hours including breaks. This provides one-time revenue from businesses seeking creative team building experiences.
- Summer Art Program: ArtspaceNC runs an 8-week Summer Art Program (ASAP) for students in grades 1-12. Classes are priced at $160 for members and $182 for non-members per 3-hour camp. Registration opens to members first, then the public. This generates significant seasonal revenue.
- Donations and Sponsorships: As a nonprofit, ArtspaceNC relies on charitable donations from individuals and sponsorship funding from businesses. Sponsorship opportunities exist for specific programs and events including Art Bash (annual fundraiser), exhibitions, education programs, and community events. This represents a major funding stream.
- Studio Rentals: ArtspaceNC houses 30 partially subsidized studios for visual artists at $17.50 per square foot annually. Studios range from 182-530 square feet with monthly rents of $265-$770. Studio leases last 1 year and may be renewed for up to 5 years total.
- Art Sales Commission: ArtspaceNC earns commission on artwork sales during exhibitions. For Carolina Roots exhibition, non-member artists receive 60% of sales and member artists receive 70%, meaning Artspace retains 40% or 30% respectively.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | Summer Art Program - Half Day Camp (3 hours) |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Studio Rental (Annual) |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Event Rental - Gallery 1 |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Event Rental - Learning Studio |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Event Rental - Gallery 2 |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Event Rental - The People's Studio |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Corporate Team Building |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Summer Art Program Scholarships |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Art Bash Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Exhibition Calls for Art - Entry Fees |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels10 records
ArtspaceNC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ArtspaceNC operates a nonprofit visual arts center in Downtown Raleigh providing subsidized artist studio rentals, rotating gallery exhibitions, youth arts education (Summer Art Program), corporate event and team building rentals, and community outreach programs. The center serves approximately 25,000 on-site visitors and 70,000 website visitors annually, housing 30 partially subsidized studios and four rentable event/exhibition spaces across two floors.
Product overview
ArtspaceNC is a non-profit visual arts center in Downtown Raleigh offering a comprehensive portfolio of arts programs and services. The organization operates four gallery/exhibition spaces (Gallery 1, Gallery 2, Learning Studio, and The People's Studio) and houses 30 artist studios. Key programs include the Summer Art Program (ASAP) for youth, artist residency and studio rental opportunities, exhibition programs including the biennial FRESH and Carolina Roots exhibitions, and community events such as Arts on the Block and First Friday Series. The center also offers venue rentals for corporate events, creative team building programs, and educational outreach through Artspace on the Go. The organization serves approximately 25,000 annual visitors to its building and 70,000 unique website visitors, making it a significant cultural hub in North Carolina's capital.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Membership
- Summer Art Program (ASAP)
- Studio Rentals
- Event Rentals
- Creative Team Building
- Field Trips + Guided Tours
- Exhibitions
- FRESH Biennial Exhibition
- Carolina Roots Biennial Exhibition
- Art Leasing Program
- Artspace on the Go
Quantifiable outcome
- 25,000 annual building visitors
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use ArtspaceNC
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ArtspaceNC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ArtspaceNC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Davidson College Art GalleriescoreLia Newman, Director & Curator of Davidson College Art Galleries and former Artspace Director of Programs + Exhibitions, serves as the juror for the FRESH 2026 exhibition.
- City of Raleigh Arts CommissioncoreCity of Raleigh Arts Commission provides funding support to ArtspaceNC as part of a Learning Community of 11 arts organizations that collaborate to advocate for and improve access to the arts for people with disabilities.
- United Arts Council of Raleigh + Wake CountycoreUnited Arts Council of Raleigh + Wake County provides funding support and collaborates with ArtspaceNC as part of a Learning Community of 11 arts organizations focused on arts accessibility for people with disabilities.
- United Arts Wake CountycoreUnited Arts Wake County is a sponsor of ArtspaceNC's Summer Art Program, providing funding support for youth arts education.
- North Carolina Arts CouncilcoreNorth Carolina Arts Council is a sponsor of ArtspaceNC's Summer Art Program, providing funding support for youth arts education.
- Raleigh ArtscoreRaleigh Arts is a sponsor of ArtspaceNC's Summer Art Program, providing funding support for youth arts education.
- North Carolina Rural CentercoreNorth Carolina Rural Center sponsors the Carolina Roots biennial exhibition at ArtspaceNC, which celebrates artists from rural North Carolina counties. The center provides funding and recognition for rural artistic talent.
- Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT)majorArtspaceNC partnered with Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT), Raleigh Raised Development, Haven DesignBuild, and members of the Idlewild Neighborhood Art Committee for the Cottages of Idlewild public art project. This project involves a public art installation in an affordable housing development celebrating African American homeownership and community legacy.
- Raleigh Raised DevelopmentmajorArtspaceNC partnered with Raleigh Raised Development, Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT), Haven DesignBuild, and members of the Idlewild Neighborhood Art Committee for the Cottages of Idlewild public art project. Budget for this project is $20,000.
- Haven DesignBuildmajorArtspaceNC partnered with Haven DesignBuild, Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT), Raleigh Raised Development, and members of the Idlewild Neighborhood Art Committee for the Cottages of Idlewild public art project.
- a Place at the Tableminora Place at the Table serves as the lunch vendor for ArtspaceNC's Summer Art Program, providing healthy lunches to scholarship students and offering lunch options for all-day campers. The vendor provides vegetarian options.
- Raleigh Chinese Language SchoolminorArtspaceNC partnered with Raleigh Chinese Language School for Lunar New Year Family Day celebration, a quarterly free community event.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ArtspaceNC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Torpedo Factory Art Center: Non-profit art center in a converted Alexandria, VA factory building housing ~80 artist studios, multiple galleries, and art classes; directly comparable studios + galleries + education model.
- Hyde Park Art Center: Non-profit community art center in Chicago with studio programs, exhibitions, and arts education; directly comparable community visual arts model combining artists-in-residence, classes, and shows.
- Atlanta Contemporary: Non-profit contemporary art center presenting exhibitions, education, and public programs; comparable multi-program contemporary visual arts model serving a regional audience.
- Contemporary Arts Center (Cincinnati): Non-profit contemporary art institution offering exhibitions, education programs, and community engagement; closely matches ArtspaceNC's multi-program community contemporary arts profile.
- Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts: Non-profit artist residency and contemporary art center in Omaha offering residencies, exhibitions, and public programs; closely comparable artist residencies + exhibitions model.
- Houston Center for Contemporary Craft: Non-profit art center focused on studio practice, exhibitions, and craft education; similar studios + exhibitions + education structure to ArtspaceNC, adapted for craft disciplines.
- Visual Arts Center of Richmond: Non-profit visual arts center with artist studios, gallery exhibitions, and art classes; directly comparable community visual arts organization with education and exhibition programming.
- Artspace (Minneapolis): Non-profit visual arts center in downtown Minneapolis combining artist studios, gallery exhibitions, and community education; near-identical multi-program community arts model to ArtspaceNC.
Regional players
- Sawtooth School for Visual Art: Non-profit visual arts school in Winston-Salem, NC offering classes, workshops, and community programs; comparable regional NC visual arts education center with similar studio-class focus.
- Elsewhere: Non-profit artist residency and contemporary art venue in Greensboro, NC; comparable NC-based arts organization with residencies, exhibitions, and community programming, though with a different curatorial focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ArtspaceNC social profiles
Digital presenceArtspaceNC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ArtspaceNC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
ArtspaceNC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ArtspaceNC 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 ArtspaceNC
What does ArtspaceNC do?
ArtspaceNC operates a nonprofit visual arts center in Downtown Raleigh providing subsidized artist studio rentals, rotating gallery exhibitions, youth arts education (Summer Art Program), corporate event and team building rentals, and community outreach programs. The center serves approximately 25,000 on-site visitors and 70,000 website visitors annually, housing 30 partially subsidized studios and four rentable event/exhibition spaces across two floors.
Is ArtspaceNC a public or private company?
ArtspaceNC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ArtspaceNC founded?
ArtspaceNC was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ArtspaceNC based?
ArtspaceNC is headquartered in Raleigh, United States, in the North America region.
How does ArtspaceNC make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Memberships are the primary driver. The others are event Rentals, corporate Team Building, summer Art Program, donations and Sponsorships, studio Rentals and art Sales Commission.
Who are ArtspaceNC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Torpedo Factory Art Center, Hyde Park Art Center, Atlanta Contemporary, Contemporary Arts Center (Cincinnati), Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Visual Arts Center of Richmond and Artspace (Minneapolis). Regional players are Sawtooth School for Visual Art and Elsewhere.
Does ArtspaceNC have an API?
No public API is recorded for ArtspaceNC.
What industry is ArtspaceNC in?
ArtspaceNC's product category is Visual Arts Center. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAD, Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations, with a secondary code of THAJADAH, Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit). Its NAICS code is 7121.