McLean Project for the Arts
McLean Project for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1962 that operates contemporary art exhibitions, art classes, summer camps, community outreach, and a ceramics program across two McLean, Virginia locations serving K-12 students, regional artists, and the mid-Atlantic community.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1962
- HeadquartersMcLean, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What McLean Project for the Arts does
McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary visual arts organization founded in 1962 in McLean, Virginia, operating from two physical locations: the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue) and the newly opened MPA Berlage Arts & Education Center (6910 Fleetwood Road, opened April 2026). The organization runs an interconnected portfolio of programs centered on contemporary art exhibitions (approximately 20 per year across five to six galleries), year-round art education including 160+ courses, summer camps and Counselor-in-Training programs for teens, the MPA ArtReach community outreach program serving K-12 students and underserved populations through partnerships with Fairfax County Public Schools, and the new MPA Clay ceramics initiative.
MPA's core "technology" is its physical exhibition and education infrastructure — gallery spaces, the Susan B. DuVal Art Studio, the Natasha & Mae Iskander Ceramics Studio, and the on-site Café Monet (operated via partnership with KNEAD Hospitality + Design) — supported by a Neon CRM/Neon One digital platform for class registration, donations, and newsletter marketing. The organization's intellectual capital includes decades of curatorial work, a 30+ year ArtReach educational program aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning, and access to the artistic legacy of Emilie Benes Brzezinski.
The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: (1) tax-deductible individual and corporate donations, (2) registration fees for classes, workshops, summer camps, and CIT programs, (3) event sponsorships and tickets via signature fundraisers like the Spring Benefit (tiers from $1,000 to $50,000) and MPAartfest (10,000+ attendees), (4) institutional grants from ArtsFairfax, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the McLean Community Foundation, and (5) food and beverage revenue from Café Monet. Gallery access is free to the public. The audience spans K-12 students and schools (primary), general community members, regional artists, and senior/neurodiverse adult learners served through outreach.
McLean Project for the Arts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- McLean Project for the Arts
- Legal name
- McLean Project for the Arts
- Website
- https://mpaart.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1962
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- McLean Project for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1962 that operates contemporary art exhibitions, art classes, summer camps, community outreach, and a ceramics program across two McLean, Virginia locations serving K-12 students, regional artists, and the mid-Atlantic community.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
McLean Project for the Arts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Visual Arts Services and Arts Education
- NAICS
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (712110), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Arts & Design Camps (Visual Arts, Crafts, Design Thinking) (EDAMALAH), Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture) (THAJAKAA)
Keywords
Where McLean Project for the Arts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- McLean
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
McLean Project for the Arts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals supporting the organization's mission. Includes one-time and recurring donation options, with various giving levels offering recognition benefits.
- Class and Workshop Registration Fees: Fees for year-round art instruction including classes, workshops, summer camps, and CIT programs for teens. Revenue is generated through per-student/per-program registration.
- Event Sponsorships and Tickets: Revenue from Spring Benefit sponsorship packages ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, and individual event tickets. Sponsorship packages include tickets, VIP access, and program ad placements.
- Corporate and Institutional Grants: Support from government agencies (ArtsFairfax, Virginia Commission for the Arts, McLean Community Foundation) and corporate/institutional partners for programming and operations.
- Café Operations: Revenue from Café Monet restaurant operations at MPA Berlage Arts & Education Center, developed in partnership with KNEAD Hospitality + Design.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Per program | Counselor in Training (CIT) Program for ages 14-18: $395 for 2-week full-day program |
| Subscription | Annual | Spring Benefit sponsorship packages range from $1,000 (Sponsor) to $50,000 (Visionary Leader) |
| Other | Per transaction | Refund policy: 14+ days before start = full refund minus $25 processing fee; less than 14 days = credit to account only |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
McLean Project for the Arts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
McLean Project for the Arts operates a contemporary visual arts nonprofit program that delivers rotating exhibitions across six gallery spaces, year-round art classes and summer camps for children, teens, and adults, an outreach education program (ArtReach) serving schools and community organizations, ceramics programming, and signature community events (MPAartfest, Spring Benefit). It supports these activities through donations, grants, registration fees, event sponsorships, and Café Monet food and beverage revenue, with free public admission to all galleries.
Product overview
McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) is a nonprofit visual arts organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered around contemporary art exhibitions, arts education, and community engagement. The core offerings include rotating exhibitions in six gallery spaces across two locations; art classes and workshops spanning drawing, painting, mixed media, and ceramics for all ages; Summer Art Camps and teen Counselor in Training programs; MPA ArtReach outreach programming for schools and community organizations; MPA Clay ceramics instruction; and annual events including MPAartfest and Spring Benefit. The organization's two locations—the McLean Community Center galleries and the new MPA Berlage Arts & Education Center—along with Café Monet, form the physical infrastructure supporting these programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MPA ArtReach: An in-gallery and outreach art educational program that provides visual arts experiences for thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as neurodiverse adult learners and senior participants. Has partnered with Fairfax County Public Schools and local community organizations for more than three decades.
- MPA Clay
- Café Monet
- MPA Berlage Arts & Education Center
Products and services
- Contemporary Art Exhibitions Rotating exhibitions of contemporary visual art by emerging and established artists across six gallery spaces at two locations, featuring painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and immersive installation work. Free public admission.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20 contemporary art exhibitions annually showcasing emerging and established artists
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use McLean Project for the Arts
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
McLean Project for the Arts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
McLean Project for the Arts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- KNEAD Hospitality + DesigncorePartnership for Café Monet, an all-day café and bistro at MPA Berlage Arts & Education Center. KNEAD developed the restaurant concept placing art at the center of daily life, creating a welcoming space for visitors to linger before or after galleries or classes.
- Fairfax County Public SchoolscoreLongstanding partnership with FCPS for ArtReach program providing visual arts experiences aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning. Includes Title I elementary schools and special education programs.
- ArtsFairfaxcoreGovernment arts agency providing grant support for MPA programming as part of regional arts ecosystem.
- McLean Community CentercorePartnership hosting MPA galleries and education programs at 1234 Ingleside Avenue. Lead Community Sponsor of MPAartfest. McLean Community Center Governing Board collaborated with MPA in 1984 to create dedicated visual arts center within the MCC facility.
- Fairfax County Park AuthoritysecondaryCo-sponsor of MPAartfest annual outdoor festival held at McLean Central Park.
- ServiceSourcesecondaryNonprofit partnership for ArtReach programs including 'Art About Our Earth' with ecological focus serving adults with disabilities.
- McLean Community CentercoreLong-term institutional partner hosting MPA since 1984. Galleries opened to public in 1990. Provides space for Emerson and Atrium Galleries, DuVal Studio, and community events.
- New Dominion Women's ClubsecondaryCommunity organization that organizes Children's ArtWalk at MPAartfest annual festival.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
McLean Project for the Arts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Lori Erickson Studio (LME Studios): Comparable as a regional art education provider in the DC area offering classes and workshops. Smaller-scale operator with similar fine arts education focus but limited exhibition programming.
Broad incumbents
- Strathmore: Bethesda, Maryland arts organization presenting visual and performing arts programming with strong education component. Comparable as a mid-Atlantic arts nonprofit combining exhibitions/classes with community programming in an affluent DC suburb.
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden: Smithsonian Institution contemporary art museum in Washington, DC. Comparable as a presenter of contemporary visual arts in the DC region, though operating at national scale as part of the Smithsonian rather than as a community-focused nonprofit.
- The Phillips Collection: Washington, DC art museum with contemporary and modern art exhibitions plus educational programs. Comparable as a DC-area visual arts institution offering exhibitions and education, though at much larger scale and as a museum rather than community arts center.
Direct peers
- Torpedo Factory Art Center: Alexandria, Virginia art center operating working artist studios, galleries, and art classes. Directly comparable as a regional contemporary visual arts nonprofit serving the DC-area community with similar exhibition and education programming.
- Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE): Reston, Virginia nonprofit contemporary arts center offering exhibitions, arts education, and community programs in Northern Virginia. Closely comparable in scale, geographic context (Northern Virginia), and programming mix to MPA.
- Arlington Arts Center: Arlington, Virginia contemporary visual arts center offering exhibitions, classes, and community programs. Comparable as a DC-metro area nonprofit providing rotating exhibitions and arts education to a similar community demographic.
- Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts): Richmond, Virginia community arts center offering gallery exhibitions, studio classes, and outreach programs. Directly comparable in operating model as a nonprofit visual arts center combining exhibitions with hands-on art education.
- The Art League: Alexandria, Virginia art organization operating galleries, art classes, workshops, and artist services. Comparable in mission, programming mix (exhibitions plus education), and regional DC-area community focus.
Emerging players
- Washington Studio School: Washington, DC nonprofit fine arts school offering classes and workshops in drawing, painting, and sculpture. Comparable as a DC-area nonprofit specializing in fine arts instruction with a smaller footprint than MPA.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
McLean Project for the Arts social profiles
Digital presenceMcLean Project for the Arts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
McLean Project for the Arts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
McLean Project for the Arts subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
McLean Project for the Arts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
McLean Project for the Arts 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 McLean Project for the Arts
What does McLean Project for the Arts do?
McLean Project for the Arts operates a contemporary visual arts nonprofit program that delivers rotating exhibitions across six gallery spaces, year-round art classes and summer camps for children, teens, and adults, an outreach education program (ArtReach) serving schools and community organizations, ceramics programming, and signature community events (MPAartfest, Spring Benefit). It supports these activities through donations, grants, registration fees, event sponsorships, and Café Monet food and beverage revenue, with free public admission to all galleries.
Is McLean Project for the Arts a public or private company?
McLean Project for the Arts is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was McLean Project for the Arts founded?
McLean Project for the Arts was founded in 1962. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is McLean Project for the Arts based?
McLean Project for the Arts is headquartered in McLean, United States, in the North America region.
How does McLean Project for the Arts make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are class and Workshop Registration Fees, event Sponsorships and Tickets, corporate and Institutional Grants and café Operations.
Who are McLean Project for the Arts's main competitors?
Lori Erickson Studio (LME Studios) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Strathmore, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and The Phillips Collection. Direct peers are Torpedo Factory Art Center, Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), Arlington Arts Center, Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts) and The Art League. Washington Studio School is listed as an emerging player.
Does McLean Project for the Arts have an API?
No public API is recorded for McLean Project for the Arts.
What industry is McLean Project for the Arts in?
McLean Project for the Arts's product category is Visual Arts Services and Arts Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking), with a secondary code of BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs. Its NAICS code is 712 and its SIC code is 7990.