CO-LAB PROJECTS
Co-Lab Projects is an Austin, Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports local artists through exhibitions at Culvert Gallery, the #bitres Instagram digital residency, fiscal sponsorship services, and a community membership program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What CO-LAB PROJECTS does
Co-Lab Projects is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization headquartered in Austin, Texas, that supports local artists through exhibitions, programming, fiscal sponsorship, and community membership. Its physical footprint centers on the Culvert Gallery at 5419 Glissman Road, where it hosts solo shows (e.g., Isadora Stowe, September–October 2024), seasonal open-call exhibitions, and annual fundraiser events such as the Cowboy XMAS Holiday Fundraiser. Beyond physical exhibitions, Co-Lab runs the #bitres program, an Instagram-hosted month-long digital residency curated by Vladimir Mejia (originally conceived by Sean Ripple) in which selected artists take over the @colabprojectsbitres account while retaining rights to their work.
The organization derives revenue from four primary streams: (1) an annual membership program offering event access, discounts, and exhibition previews; (2) tax-deductible individual donations supporting artist stipends, commissions, and production costs; (3) fiscal sponsorship services for individuals, collectives, and unincorporated organizations seeking grant access, charged at a flat 10% of awarded grant amount in exchange for umbrella 501(c)(3) status, application close reads, and reduced insurance rates; and (4) ticketed events including the annual FUNdraiser. Its go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer, relying on open-call applications, a low-frequency newsletter (max two emails per month), social channels (@colabprojectstx), and word-of-mouth within Austin's creative ecosystem.
Co-Lab's primary customer segments are Austin-area artists who have not previously exhibited with the organization (objects, installations, performances, experimental music, video/film), fiscal sponsorship clients (individuals/collectives pursuing grants), and community members/patrons who join, donate, and attend events. Institutional support comes from H-E-B, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Operations are Austin-centric, with digital programming (notably #bitres) extending reach globally on Instagram.
CO-LAB PROJECTS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CO-LAB PROJECTS
- Legal name
- Co-Lab Projects
- Website
- https://co-labprojects.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Co-Lab Projects is an Austin, Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports local artists through exhibitions at Culvert Gallery, the #bitres Instagram digital residency, fiscal sponsorship services, and a community membership program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CO-LAB PROJECTS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Arts Programming
- NAICS
- Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
Keywords
Where CO-LAB PROJECTS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
CO-LAB PROJECTS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Program: Annual membership program offering benefits including invites to member-only events (artist meet & greets, community outings, exhibition previews), discounts on ticketed events and online store items, free entry to annual FUNdraiser, and special perks throughout the year.
- Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individual donors used to support artist stipends, commission new projects, cover production costs, and facilitate public programs.
- Fiscal Sponsorship: Fiscal sponsorship for individuals, collectives, and unincorporated organizations looking to apply for grant money. Co-Lab charges a flat 10% of award fee for umbrella status, grant application assistance, budget review, newsletter inclusion, and reduced insurance rates.
- Event Ticketing and Fundraisers: Revenue from ticketed events including annual FUNdraiser and holiday events like Cowboy XMAS Holiday Fundraiser and Membership Drive.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Fiscal Sponsorship - 10% of award fee |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
CO-LAB PROJECTS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Co-Lab Projects is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that operates the Culvert Gallery in Austin, TX, providing exhibition space, artist stipends, and commissioned-project funding to local artists. It runs the #bitres Instagram-hosted month-long digital residency program and offers fiscal sponsorship for a flat 10% fee, giving individuals, collectives, and unincorporated organizations 501(c)(3) umbrella status to apply for restricted grant funding. The organization supplements these offerings with an annual membership program, open-call exhibitions, performances, workshops, and ticketed fundraisers.
Product overview
Co-Lab Projects is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization offering a portfolio of artist support programs centered around exhibitions, digital residency, fiscal sponsorship, and membership. The core offerings include in-person exhibitions and programming at the Culvert Gallery (object-based exhibitions, site-specific installations, performances, film screenings, workshops), the #bitres Instagram-based digital residency program, fiscal sponsorship services for grant applications, and an annual membership with event access and discount benefits. The organization operates primarily in Austin, TX, serving local artists through open call exhibitions and educational programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- #bitres: An Instagram hosted month-long residency program where selected artists take over the @colabprojectsbitres Instagram account. Artists retain rights to all original works posted during their respective takeover. Original concept by Sean Ripple, curated by Vladimir Mejia.
Products and services
- Exhibitions and Programming Rotating program of in-person exhibitions and public arts programming at Culvert Gallery in Austin, Texas, offered to Austin-area artists, curators, collectives, and groups.
- #bitres Digital Residency Month-long Instagram-based digital artist residency where selected artists take over the @colabprojectsbitres account, curated by Vladimir Mejia (original concept by Sean Ripple), with participating artists retaining rights to all original works posted.
- Fiscal Sponsorship Fiscal sponsorship for individuals, collectives, and unincorporated organizations seeking to apply for grant money, charging a flat 10% of award fee in exchange for 501(c)(3) umbrella status, grant application review, application/reporting assistance, newsletter inclusion, and reduced insurance rates.
- Culvert Gallery Physical gallery venue at 5419 Glissman Road, Austin, TX 78702, used to host rotating exhibitions, installations, performances, and arts events for the Co-Lab Projects program.
- Membership Program Annual membership giving members invites to member-only events such as artist meet & greets, community outings, and exhibition previews, discounts on ticketed events and online store items, free entry to the annual FUNdraiser, and additional perks throughout the year.
Quantifiable outcome
- Provides fiscal sponsorship enabling artists to access grant funding otherwise unavailable to individuals and collectives
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use CO-LAB PROJECTS
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CO-LAB PROJECTS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
CO-LAB PROJECTS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
CO-LAB PROJECTS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- The Luminary: St. Louis artist-run nonprofit presenting exhibitions, residencies, and publishing — directly comparable to Co-Lab as a small artist-led platform serving an under-resourced regional creative community.
- Elsewhere: Greensboro, NC nonprofit artist residency and museum operating from a converted historic building — comparable as a community-rooted nonprofit blending exhibitions, residencies, and artist services.
- Soap Factory: Minneapolis independent contemporary art space producing exhibitions and residencies in a nontraditional venue — comparable as a small nonprofit arts organization prioritizing emerging artists and unconventional programming.
- Creative Capital: National nonprofit providing grants and career development to innovative artists — comparable to Co-Lab's grantmaking/fiscal sponsorship role for individual artists applying to institutional funding sources.
Regional players
- The Contemporary Austin: Austin-based contemporary art museum presenting exhibitions and education programs — comparable geographic peer operating in the same local market with overlapping artist and audience ecosystems.
- Blue Star Contemporary: San Antonio nonprofit contemporary art organization operating exhibitions and public programs in a Texas regional market — comparable as a same-state nonprofit peer serving emerging artists.
Direct peers
- Fractured Atlas: National nonprofit that provides fiscal sponsorship to individual artists and small arts organizations — directly comparable to Co-Lab's 10% fiscal sponsorship service for unincorporated artists and collectives.
- Artpace: San Antonio-based nonprofit artist residency and exhibition program that supports emerging and established artists through commissions, residencies, and public programming — directly comparable to Co-Lab's community-focused artist-support model in a nearby Texas city.
- Pioneer Works: Brooklyn-based nonprofit arts center combining exhibitions, residencies, and community programming in a single physical space — directly comparable to Co-Lab's blend of in-person exhibitions, digital residencies (#bitres analog), and community membership.
- Hyde Park Art Center: Chicago community-based contemporary art center offering exhibitions, residencies, and education programs for emerging artists — closely comparable to Co-Lab's focus on artists who have not previously exhibited with the organization.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CO-LAB PROJECTS social profiles
Digital presenceCO-LAB PROJECTS compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
CO-LAB PROJECTS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CO-LAB PROJECTS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
CO-LAB PROJECTS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CO-LAB PROJECTS 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 CO-LAB PROJECTS
What does CO-LAB PROJECTS do?
Co-Lab Projects is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that operates the Culvert Gallery in Austin, TX, providing exhibition space, artist stipends, and commissioned-project funding to local artists. It runs the #bitres Instagram-hosted month-long digital residency program and offers fiscal sponsorship for a flat 10% fee, giving individuals, collectives, and unincorporated organizations 501(c)(3) umbrella status to apply for restricted grant funding. The organization supplements these offerings with an annual membership program, open-call exhibitions, performances, workshops, and ticketed fundraisers.
Is CO-LAB PROJECTS a public or private company?
CO-LAB PROJECTS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CO-LAB PROJECTS founded?
CO-LAB PROJECTS was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CO-LAB PROJECTS based?
CO-LAB PROJECTS is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does CO-LAB PROJECTS make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Program is the primary driver. The others are donations, fiscal Sponsorship and event Ticketing and Fundraisers.
Who are CO-LAB PROJECTS's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are The Luminary, Elsewhere, Soap Factory and Creative Capital. Regional players are The Contemporary Austin and Blue Star Contemporary. Direct peers are Fractured Atlas, Artpace, Pioneer Works and Hyde Park Art Center.
Does CO-LAB PROJECTS have an API?
No public API is recorded for CO-LAB PROJECTS.
What industry is CO-LAB PROJECTS in?
CO-LAB PROJECTS's product category is Nonprofit Arts Programming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAH, Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs, with a secondary code of BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs. Its NAICS code is 813.