Clark Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.

What Clark Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. does

The Clark Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation founded in 2002, operating a two-theater performing arts complex at 487 Fair Oaks Ave in Arroyo Grande, California. Its physical infrastructure comprises the 617-seat Forbes Hall, the approximately 120-seat Studio Theatre, a Grand Lobby gallery for local artists, and The Annex housing green rooms, scene shops, storage, and offices. The organization presents a mix of touring tribute acts, comedy, jazz, classical, dance, and theatrical productions, and supplements its own programming by renting the venues to third-party promoters and community groups such as StuMark Productions, West Coast Performing Arts Concerts, and Chin Chin Entertainment. It also produces the annual Stone Soup Music Festival & Street Fair, a free community event in Grover Beach that has run for over 30 years.

Revenue is generated across five streams: ticket sales (primary, with tiered pricing $25-$79 and per-ticket fees), a six-tier membership and donation program ($35 to $2,500+ annually with benefits including presale access and 15% discounts), venue rentals, festival/event sponsorships, and vendor fees from the Stone Soup street fair. The marketing stack runs on WordPress, Constant Contact email, Google Analytics, Mixpanel, and HubSpot, with Arts People handling ticketing, Neon CRM managing donations and memberships, and Stripe processing payments. Operations are supported by a paid staff of approximately 8 and a volunteer base of 150+ Clark Center Champions contributing roughly 11,000 hours per year, primarily as ushers. The center also administers a performing arts scholarship program that has awarded over $300,000 to 140+ graduating high school seniors in the Lucia Mar Unified School District since 2002, with $35,000 disbursed to 11 recipients in 2026.

The customer base comprises three segments: the general public and Central Coast community attending ticketed performances, third-party promoters and event producers renting the facilities, and local high school seniors pursuing performing arts education. Geographically, the Clark Center serves Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, and the broader San Luis Obispo County region on California's Central Coast, a rural/regional market where it functions as the primary mid-scale professional venue in the South County area.

Name

Clark Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.

Legal name

Clark Center for the Performing Arts

Website

https://clarkcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Clark Center for the Performing Arts is a 2002-founded nonprofit operating 617-seat Forbes Hall and ~120-seat Studio Theatre in Arroyo Grande, California, presenting live touring tributes, comedy, and jazz, hosting third-party promoters, and running the annual Stone Soup Music Festival, with revenue from ticket sales, memberships, venue rentals, and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Live performing arts
• Theater venue rental
• Community arts center
• Performing arts education
• Ticketed live entertainment

Headquarters

HQ city

Arroyo Grande

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, Others, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from ticket sales to performances and events held at the Clark Center. Tickets are sold online, by phone, and in person through a Box Office. Ticket prices vary by event (ranging approximately $25-$79), with tiered seating sections (Chrome/Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum) and per-ticket fees based on base price.
2. Membership & Donations: Annual membership program with multiple tiers ($35-$2,500+) providing benefits including early access to tickets, discounts, recognition, and exclusive experiences. One-time and recurring donation options are available. Guardian-level ($300+) members receive 15% off regular-priced tickets.
3. Venue Rentals: Both the 617-seat Forbes Hall and the approximately 120-seat Studio Theatre are available to rent for professional and community productions, events, and educational/vocational purposes. The Grand Lobby serves as a gallery space, and The Annex provides green room, scene shop, storage, and office space.
4. Festival & Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors, individuals, and organizations sponsor single performances or entire seasons. The Stone Soup Music Festival offers sponsorship tiers including event, stage, band, and Beer Truck sponsorships with perks such as stage banner space, marketing recognition, free drink tickets, and apparel.
5. Stone Soup Music Festival Street Fair: Annual free community festival in Grover Beach featuring vendor fees from local and regional craft, food, wine, and merchandise vendors, plus food and beverage sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Clark Center operates a two-theater performing arts complex (Forbes Hall with 617 seats and Studio Theatre with approximately 120 seats) in Arroyo Grande, California. It presents live performances including tribute concerts, comedy shows, ballet, jazz, and theatrical productions, and rents its theaters to external promoters and community producers. The organization also runs the annual free Stone Soup Music Festival & Street Fair, a tiered membership/donation program, performing arts scholarships for local students, and arts-in-education programs.

Product overview

The Clark Center for the Performing Arts operates as a multi-venue performing arts complex consisting of two state-of-the-art theaters (Forbes Hall with 617 seats and Studio Theatre with approximately 120 seats) and the Grand Lobby Gallery. The organization presents and hosts live performances including tribute concerts, comedy shows, ballet, and theatrical productions. Core offerings include event ticketing services through the box office, venue rental programs for external presenters, and the annual Stone Soup Music Festival & Street Fair. Supporting programs include a tiered membership/donation system, performing arts scholarships for local high school seniors, an Arts in Education program, and a volunteer program with over 150 Clark Center Champions. The Clark Center partners with touring artists, tribute acts, and community organizations to deliver diverse cultural programming to the Central Coast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stone Soup Music Festival: An annual community tradition for over 30 years featuring 16 bands across 2 stages, a street fair, food vendors, and free admission, held in Grover Beach, California.

Products and services

• Forbes Hall 617-seat state-of-the-art main theater hosting touring artists, tribute acts, comedy shows, dance performances, and community productions. Available for rental to professional and community presenters.
• Studio Theatre Approximately 120-seat secondary theater hosting professional and community productions, available for rental to outside promoters and community groups.
• Venue Rental Program Rental of both theaters and the Grand Lobby gallery to external presenters, community groups, and private functions for professional productions, educational events, and special occasions. Inquiries handled through the Clark Center Business Office.
• Box Office Ticketing Services Ticketing services for performances with reserved seating options across five tiers (Chrome/Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum). Tickets sold online, by phone, and in person at the Box Office. Per-ticket fees vary by base price ($2.00–$7.75), and discounts available for seniors, students, children, groups, and members at Guardian level and above.
• Stone Soup Music Festival & Street Fair Annual free community music festival held in Grover Beach featuring 16 bands across 2 stages, a Kidz Zone, a street fair with craft/food/wine/merchandise vendors, and the Mardis Paws Dog Parade. Generates revenue through vendor fees, food and beverage sales, and corporate/event/band/Beer Truck sponsorships.
• Membership Program Tiered annual membership program with levels from Individual/Family ($35–$99) to Champion ($2,500+). Benefits include early ticket access, discounts (e.g., 15% off regular-priced tickets for Guardian $300+), recognition, complimentary tickets, ticket exchange privileges, artist meet-and-greets, and pre-show receptions.
• Performing Arts Scholarship Program Annual scholarship program for graduating high school seniors in the Lucia Mar Unified School District pursuing performing arts education. Recipients are selected via video and live audition, with a minimum 2.0 GPA. In 2026, $35,000 was distributed across 11 recipients; cumulative awards since 2002 exceed $300,000 across 140+ recipients.
• Arts in Education Program Educational programs bringing performing arts experiences to local students, including field trips and classroom visits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 140 graduating seniors have received performing arts scholarships totaling over $300,000 since the venue opened in 2002.
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, standard and minor.

• City of Grover BeachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Grover Beach is a key partner in hosting the annual Stone Soup Music Festival & Street Fair at Ramona Garden Park and surrounding streets. The festival is described as a community tradition that has thrived for over 30 years and draws thousands of visitors to Grover Beach. The city supports the event by providing the venue and associated infrastructure.
• KCBX-FM Central Coast RadiomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerKCBX-FM Central Coast Radio appears as a regular sponsor of the Clark Center, providing radio broadcast sponsorship and marketing exposure to the regional audience. As a local public radio station covering the Central Coast, KCBX provides access to a community audience aligned with the Clark Center's demographic.
• Nichols FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNichols Foundation is a repeat sponsor of the Stone Soup Music Festival and a provider of performing arts scholarships to local students (Nichols Foundation West Performing Arts Scholarship awarded to Nico Monge and Ashlyn Wyckoff in 2026).
• Peter & Carol KeithmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPeter & Carol Keith appear as repeat individual sponsors of the Clark Center and the Stone Soup Music Festival. Their sponsorship provides marketing recognition and financial support for the venue's programming.
• American General MediamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican General Media is a sponsor of the Clark Center, providing marketing/media support. As a media company serving the Central Coast region, they offer advertising and promotional reach for the Clark Center's events.
• Grocery Outlet Arroyo GrandestandardGTM or Marketing PartnerGrocery Outlet Arroyo Grande is listed as a sponsor of the Clark Center, providing financial or in-kind support in exchange for marketing recognition and community alignment.
• Dimes MediastandardGTM or Marketing PartnerDimes Media appears as a sponsor of the Clark Center, providing media/marketing support and promotional services for venue events and programming.
• City of Grover BeachmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe City of Grover Beach is a sponsor of the Clark Center, providing municipal support and marketing recognition for the venue's community programming and the Stone Soup Music Festival.
• Oxford Suites Pismo BeachstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerOxford Suites Pismo Beach is listed as a sponsor of the Clark Center, providing financial or in-kind sponsorship in exchange for marketing recognition at events and on the Clark Center's website.
• New Times / Santa Maria SunstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerNew Times / Santa Maria Sun appears as a sponsor of the Clark Center and Stone Soup Music Festival, providing local media coverage and marketing reach for event promotion.
• Nan Fowler for Nan's Books and CrystalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNan Fowler for Nan's Books and Crystals is listed as a sponsor of the Clark Center, providing local business sponsorship support.
• California Fresh MarketstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerCalifornia Fresh Market appears as a sponsor of the Clark Center, providing local business sponsorship support for the venue's programming.
• Astound Business SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAstound Business Solutions is a sponsor of the 50th San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition Final Round event held at the Clark Center, providing financial sponsorship with logo placement on event materials.
• My805TixstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMy805Tix (my805tix.com) is listed as an authorized ticket reseller for the Clark Center. As an authorized seller, they are permitted to sell tickets on behalf of the Clark Center to the public.
• VetTixstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVetTix (vettix.org) is listed as an authorized ticket seller for the Clark Center, providing discounted or free tickets to eligible veterans and service members for Clark Center events.
• Stone Soup Music Festival 2025 SponsorsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe 2025 Stone Soup Music Festival sponsorship lineup included: Nichols Foundation, Peter & Carol Keith, City of Grover Beach, Mechanics Bank, Rotary Club of Pismo Beach/Five Cities, Dignity Health Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, Keller Williams Pismo Beach Homes Team, Sky River RV, Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic, Central Coast Moving Company, KCBX, State Farm (Susan Rodriguez), Chroma Vera, Grocery Outlet, 95.3 The Beach, Farmers Insurance (Jennifer White), Bette Kulp, Supervisor Jimmy Paulding, Waste Connections, Inc., Five Cities Eco Club, Jazz Jubilee Central Coast, San Luis Obispo New Times/Santa Maria Sun.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Center Theatre Group: A large Los Angeles-based performing arts nonprofit operating the Ahmanson, Mark Taper Forum, and Kirk Douglas theatres. Broadly comparable as a nonprofit presenting organization but operates at substantially larger scale and urban scope.
• Gallo Center for the Arts: A larger two-theater (1,200 + 444 seats) regional performing arts center in Modesto, CA offering a comparable presenting and rental model but at meaningfully greater scale, broader programming, and larger institutional donor base.

Direct peers

• The Fremont Theatre: Historic 900-seat theater in downtown San Luis Obispo, ~15 miles from the Clark Center, hosting concerts, comedy, tribute acts, and private events. Directly comparable because it competes for the same Central Coast audience and promoter relationships.
• Spreckels Performing Arts Center: A nonprofit ~450-seat performing arts venue in Rohnert Park (Sonoma County) presenting touring artists, tribute acts, comedy, and community productions. Directly comparable operational model in a similar California secondary market.
• San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre: Community-based nonprofit professional theater in San Luis Obispo producing a season of plays and musicals. Comparable as a Central Coast performing arts nonprofit with mixed earned/contributed revenue and education programming.
• Lobero Theatre: A ~600-seat nonprofit performing arts venue in Santa Barbara, CA presenting touring artists, comedy, dance, and community programming under a similar presenting-plus-rental model. Comparable scale, similar nonprofit governance, similar Central Coast/Southern California secondary-market positioning.
• Pacific Repertory Theatre (PacRep): A nonprofit professional theater company on California's Central Coast producing plays and musicals in its own venue(s). Directly comparable as a regional producing-and-presenting performing arts nonprofit serving a similar catchment.
• Marjorie Luke Theatre: A historic ~800-seat nonprofit performing arts venue in Santa Barbara presenting touring artists, school programs, and community events. Comparable scale, similar venue-rental and presenting model, similar regional California positioning.
• Bankhead Theater / Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center: A mid-sized regional performing arts center in Livermore, CA operating a single ~500-seat theater with a comparable mix of touring tribute acts, comedy, rentals, and community programming. Same operational model (ticketed presenting + third-party promoter rentals) in a similarly-sized California secondary market.

Regional players

• Center for the Arts (Sebastopol): A nonprofit performing arts venue in Sebastopol/Sonoma County presenting concerts, comedy, and community programming in a smaller California secondary market. Comparable operational footprint but in Northern California rather than competing directly in the Clark Center's geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/StoneSoupMusicFair
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clark-center-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Clark Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.