Hilltop Artists
Hilltop Artists is a Tacoma-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 that provides tuition-free glass arts education to youth ages 12-26 in Pierce County, Washington, through school-based hot shops and partnerships with Tacoma Public Schools, Museum of Glass, and Pilchuck Glass School.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersTacoma, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hilltop Artists does
Hilltop Artists is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 by Dale Chihuly and Kathy Kaperick (originally as Hilltop Artists in Residence) that delivers tuition-free glass arts education to youth ages 12-26 in Pierce County, Washington. The organization operates hot shop facilities co-located at Hilltop Heritage Middle School and Dr. Dolores Silas High School through a Career and Technical Education partnership with Tacoma Public Schools, and runs a portfolio of programs including Daytime Electives, After-School instruction, Summer Glass Arts, Fused Together Workshops, Arts Connect (for young women involved with the juvenile court, foster, or diversion systems), and Waves of Glass. Annual events such as the Arts Night Out Block Party (500+ attendees) and the Better Futures Luncheon extend community reach, while the annual Museum of Glass residency and Pilchuck Glass School collaborations provide alumni pathways into professional studio practice.
The organization's core technology is physical craft infrastructure: furnaces, glory holes, and benches used to teach glassblowing, beadmaking, flameworking, fused glass, and sandcasting techniques. Notable project outputs include over 1,800 glass floats installed at MultiCare Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, student exhibitions at the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, and alumnus David Rios's 'Ofrenda' installation acquired by the Tacoma Art Museum in 2023. The business model is donation-driven: revenue is generated through individual contributions (including the Murrini Club monthly giving program and seasonal appeals), corporate and event sponsorships, and foundation grants from entities such as The Dale & Leslie Chihuly Foundation, ArtsFund, ArtsWA, and Tacoma Creates. The organization is governed by a board and led by Executive Director Dr. Kimberly F. Keith, with documented alumni returning as instructors (six of the current teaching staff are former students). There is no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no parent organization.
Hilltop Artists firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hilltop Artists
- Legal name
- Hilltop Artists
- Website
- https://hilltopartists.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hilltop Artists is a Tacoma-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 that provides tuition-free glass arts education to youth ages 12-26 in Pierce County, Washington, through school-based hot shops and partnerships with Tacoma Public Schools, Museum of Glass, and Pilchuck Glass School.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hilltop Artists industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Arts Education
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
Keywords
Where Hilltop Artists is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tacoma
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hilltop Artists business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Relies on individual donor contributions through direct mail campaigns, spring/winter fundraising appeals, and the Murrini Club monthly giving program.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Event sponsors (e.g., Arts Night Out Block Party sponsors City of Tacoma, Tacoma Creates, Sound Credit Union) and program sponsors from local businesses and foundations.
- Foundation Grants: Support from foundations including The Dale & Leslie Chihuly Foundation, ArtsFund, and ArtsWA for program operations and capital equipment (furnace through Greg Owen bequest).
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Hilltop Artists product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hilltop Artists provides tuition-free glass arts education to youth ages 12-26 in Pierce County, Washington. The organization operates hot shops at partner school campuses where students learn glassblowing, beadmaking, flameworking, fused glass, and sandcasting. Programs include in-school electives, after-school instruction, summer sessions, kiln-formed glass workshops, and specialized community-based programs for at-risk youth.
Product overview
Hilltop Artists is a nonprofit youth arts education organization offering a portfolio of glass art programs and services for youth ages 12-26 in Pierce County, Washington. The core programs include Daytime Electives (in-school), After-School instruction, Summer Glass Arts, Fused Together Workshops, Arts Connect (for young women in the court system), and Waves of Glass. The organization also hosts community events including the annual Arts Night Out Block Party and Museum of Glass Residency. Services include custom art installations, commissions, and direct artwork sales. Founded in 1994 and operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization connects young people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to better futures through tuition-free glass arts education.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Daytime Electives In-school glass arts programming offered during regular school hours at partner schools, integrated as Career and Technical Education (CTE) electives for students in Tacoma Public Schools.
- After-School Program After-school glass arts instruction for students to learn hot shop techniques, bead making, and glass art creation at partner school campuses.
- Summer Glass Arts Summer session programs at Hilltop Heritage Middle School and Silas High School for youth to learn glass art during summer break.
- Fused Together Workshops Glass fusing workshops teaching kiln-formed glass techniques.
- Arts Connect Community-based program for young women involved with Pierce County Juvenile Court, on probation, diversion, or in foster care. Features quarterly 10-week sessions in glass, ceramics, photography, printmaking, and other art forms.
- Waves of Glass Program offering glass arts education and creative development opportunities for youth participants.
- Art Installations Custom glass art installations created by students and staff. Notable projects include over 1,800 glass floats at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital skyway, the Healing Bridge, and exhibits at W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory.
- Commissions Custom glass art commissioned for corporate, public, and private spaces, created by Hilltop Artists students and staff.
Quantifiable outcome
- Alumni installation acquired by Tacoma Art Museum
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Hilltop Artists
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Hilltop Artists technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Hilltop Artists partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.
- Sound Credit UnionminorGenerous supporter of the Arts Night Out Block Party community event.
- City of Tacoma / Tacoma CreatesmajorPrimary municipal funder through Tacoma Creates cultural funding program; supports Arts Night Out Block Party and general operations.
- Museum of GlasscoreAnnual summer residency where Hilltop Artists students and alumni work alongside MOG artists to create centerpiece sculptures for the Better Futures Luncheon. Students demonstrate glassblowing to hundreds of museum visitors during the residency.
- Pilchuck Glass SchoolcoreField trips for students; Gilchrist Scholar Program for alumni; collaboration on student projects like 'Glow Together, Grow Together' neon installation.
- Tacoma Public Schools / CTE DepartmentcoreFormal partnership providing hot shop facilities at Hilltop Heritage Middle School and Silas High School; programs integrated as Career and Technical Education (CTE).
- W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory / Metro Parks TacomaminorHosted student installations including 'Our Dreams' (2018) and 'Common Threads' (2016) exhibitions.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Hilltop Artists competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Museum of Glass: Tacoma-based museum dedicated to glass art with active education and residency programming. An active strategic partner of Hilltop Artists; comparable as a glass arts institution in the same Pacific Northwest ecosystem.
Direct peers
- Haystack Mountain School of Crafts: Maine-based nonprofit craft education school offering studio workshops including glass. Comparable as a craft-focused education nonprofit with a tuition-and-scholarship model serving aspiring artists.
- Penland School of Craft: North Carolina-based craft education school offering workshops in glass, ceramics, metals, and other media. Comparable as a craft-focused nonprofit education institution delivering studio-based instruction.
- Pittsburgh Glass Center: Nonprofit glass arts education center offering classes, workshops, and residencies. Comparable mission of expanding access to glass arts education through tuition-based and community programs.
- Pilchuck Glass School: Washington-state-based glass arts school offering intensive workshops and residencies. Directly comparable as a glass-focused education institution and an active Hilltop Artists partner through the Gilchrist Scholar Program.
- UrbanGlass: Brooklyn-based nonprofit glass arts education and studio access organization. Comparable as a tuition-supported glass arts education provider serving both youth and adult learners with hot shop instruction.
- The Crucible: Oakland-based nonprofit industrial arts education center for youth and adults. Comparable as a tuition-supported industrial and craft arts education organization with youth-focused programming and high equipment capital intensity.
- Pratt Fine Arts Center: Seattle-based nonprofit arts education center offering classes in glass, sculpture, and other fine arts. Closest regional geographic peer and comparable in providing community-based fine arts education on a tuition-supported model.
Regional players
- Tacoma Arts Live: Tacoma-based nonprofit performing and visual arts education organization. Comparable as a regional arts education nonprofit serving youth in Pierce County, though with a different artistic focus (performing arts).
Broad incumbents
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Tacoma: Established youth development nonprofit serving the same Tacoma demographic. Comparable as a broader youth development organization addressing similar participant needs (mentorship, belonging) under a different delivery model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hilltop Artists social profiles
Digital presenceHilltop Artists financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hilltop Artists leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Hilltop Artists funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hilltop Artists 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 Hilltop Artists
What does Hilltop Artists do?
Hilltop Artists provides tuition-free glass arts education to youth ages 12-26 in Pierce County, Washington. The organization operates hot shops at partner school campuses where students learn glassblowing, beadmaking, flameworking, fused glass, and sandcasting. Programs include in-school electives, after-school instruction, summer sessions, kiln-formed glass workshops, and specialized community-based programs for at-risk youth.
Is Hilltop Artists a public or private company?
Hilltop Artists is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hilltop Artists founded?
Hilltop Artists was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hilltop Artists based?
Hilltop Artists is headquartered in Tacoma, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hilltop Artists make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships and foundation Grants.
Who are Hilltop Artists's main competitors?
Museum of Glass is listed as an others. Direct peers are Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Penland School of Craft, Pittsburgh Glass Center, Pilchuck Glass School, UrbanGlass, The Crucible and Pratt Fine Arts Center. Tacoma Arts Live is listed as a regional player. Boys & Girls Clubs of Tacoma is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Hilltop Artists have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hilltop Artists.
What industry is Hilltop Artists in?
Hilltop Artists's product category is Youth Arts Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs. Its NAICS code is 61161 and its SIC code is 8200.