What River Arts, Inc. does

River Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 1997 and based in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, that presents performing arts, visual art exhibitions, art education, and community events for the Sauk Prairie region and surrounding rural Wisconsin communities. The organization operates a multi-venue physical footprint anchored by three owned/operated facilities: the Sauk Prairie River Arts Center, a 492-seat proscenium theater adjacent to Sauk Prairie High School opened in 2000; Leola Hall, a 240-seat flexible performance and event space added in September 2023; and the River Arts on Water Gallery & Studio, a retail gallery and workshop space on the Wisconsin River waterfront owned since 2017. It is staffed by a 6-person team led by Executive Director Lydia Park.

The core product portfolio comprises an annual performing arts series featuring national touring acts and local performers (Madhatters A Cappella, Bizhiki, Wisconsin Brass Quintet, tribute shows), a house concert series at the gallery, the Leola Hall Series, rotating visual art exhibitions representing nearly 40 local artists within a 40-mile radius, approximately 40 annual adult and youth art workshops across diverse mediums (painting, printmaking, ceramics, fiber arts, sculpture, herbal crafts), and recurring community events including the Prairie du Sac Night Market, Cow Chip Arts & Crafts Fair (150 vendor spaces), Dueling Pianos, and Family, Funk & Food Trucks. There is no proprietary technology; operations rely on standard SaaS tools including Constant Contact, Arts People and Ludus ticketing platforms, and PayPal donations.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid community-led model combining recurring memberships (5 tiers from Friend $50 to Benefactor $1,000+), per-ticket sales ($11-$36 for performances, $20-$36 for house concerts), workshop fees ($35-$265), gallery commission (35% on local artist sales), corporate sponsorships (6 tiers from Copper $125 to Titanium $6,000), private event space rentals ($25-$50/hour), gift certificates ($10-$100 denominations), and tax-deductible donations. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, leveraging email newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, and partnerships with the Village of Prairie du Sac, Ruth Culver Community Library, Friends of Sauk Prairie Parks and Recreation, and the Sauk Prairie School District.

Name

River Arts, Inc.

Legal name

River Arts, Inc.

Website

https://riverartsinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

River Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, operating a 492-seat theater, 240-seat performance hall, and retail gallery that presents performing arts, exhibitions, art education, and community events for the Sauk Prairie area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts and Community Arts Services

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH), Performing Arts & Music Lessons (Dance, Drumming, Instrument Lessons, Theater) (THAJAKAC)

Keywords

• Community arts programming
• Performing arts series
• Visual art exhibitions
• Art education workshops
• Nonprofit arts venue

Headquarters

HQ city

Prairie du Sac

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership program with multiple tiers ($50-$1000+) providing ticket vouchers, gallery discounts, early access to sales, and recognition benefits.
2. Ticket Sales: Per-ticket sales for performing arts events ranging from $11-$36 for students and adults. Includes mainstage series, Leola Hall series, and house concerts.
3. Art Classes and Workshops: Approximately 40 workshops annually ranging from $35-$265, covering adult and youth instruction in various artistic mediums.
4. Gallery Art Sales: Commission-based retail gallery sales at River Arts on Water Gallery. Gallery takes 35% commission on sales of local artist work.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship program with multiple tiers (Copper $125 to Titanium $6000) providing promotional benefits and event recognition.
6. Event Space Rentals: Gallery and studio rental for private events at $50/hour (special events) or $25-$35/hour (meetings). Nonprofit discounts available.
7. Gift Certificates: Gift certificates sold at $10-$100 denominations, redeemable for artwork, classes, and event tickets.
8. Donations: Tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting community arts programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

River Arts, Inc. produces and presents community arts programming in rural Wisconsin through a 492-seat performing arts center and a flexible 240-seat hall, including an annual performing arts series of national touring and local acts, a house concert series, rotating visual art exhibitions in two galleries representing nearly 40 local artists, approximately 40 annual adult and youth art workshops, and community events such as the Night Market, Cow Chip Arts & Crafts Fair, and Dueling Pianos. Revenue is generated through ticket and class fees, gallery commissions, memberships, sponsorships, venue rentals, gift certificates, and donations supporting its 501(c)(3) nonprofit mission.

Product overview

River Arts, Inc. is a nonprofit arts organization offering a portfolio of community arts programming centered around three main venues: the Sauk Prairie River Arts Center (492-seat proscenium theater plus Leola Hall), the River Arts on Water Gallery & Studio, and the River Arts Center Gallery. The organization operates as a unified arts ecosystem providing: (1) performing arts series featuring national touring acts and local performers at multiple venues; (2) visual art galleries with rotating exhibitions of regional artists; (3) an annual schedule of approximately 40 adult art workshops across diverse mediums (painting, printmaking, ceramics, fiber arts, sculpting, crafts); (4) youth art education programs including After School Art Club and youth paint nights; (5) community events including Night Market, Cow Chip Arts & Crafts Fair, and Dueling Pianos; and (6) gift certificates, membership programs, and venue rentals. The core offering is live performing arts, visual art exhibitions, and hands-on art education designed for the Sauk Prairie community in Wisconsin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• River Arts Center: Performing arts venue at 105 9th Street, Prairie du Sac, featuring a 492-seat proscenium theater and art gallery, opened in 2000.
• River Arts on Water Gallery
• Leola Hall
• House Concert Series

Products and services

• River Arts Center Performing Arts Series Annual performing arts series featuring national touring acts and local performers at the Sauk Prairie River Arts Center, including theatrical performances, musical concerts, and tribute shows. Targeted at community members seeking live performing arts.
• House Concert Series Intimate house concert series featuring local and regional musicians held at the River Arts on Water Gallery venue. Targeted at community members seeking close-up live music experiences.
• Leola Hall Series Performance and event series held at Leola Hall, a flexible performance space with seating up to 240 at the Sauk Prairie River Arts Center. Targeted at community audiences seeking mid-size live events and private gatherings.
• River Arts on Water Gallery Retail gallery located at 590 Water St, Prairie du Sac featuring local artists within a 40-mile radius, with rotating featured artist exhibitions and consignment sales at 35% commission. Targeted at local art collectors and community members purchasing original artwork.
• Sauk Prairie River Arts Center Gallery Visual art exhibition gallery at 105 9th St, Prairie du Sac featuring rotating curated exhibitions of regional and Wisconsin artists. Targeted at community audiences attending performing arts events.
• Adult Art Workshops Approximately 40 annual art workshops for adults covering diverse mediums including painting, printmaking, ceramics, fiber arts, sculpting, and herbal crafts, taught by local and regional instructors at the River Arts on Water Studio. Targeted at adult community members seeking hands-on art education.
• Youth Art Classes Art education programs for youth including After School Art Club, Fearless Youth Paint Nights, and special parent-child painting sessions for grades 3-12. Targeted at children, teens, and families.
• Open Studio Drop-in creative workspace with art supplies and complimentary Wi-Fi, open Tuesday-Saturday at the River Arts on Water Studio. Targeted at casual visitors and creative individuals seeking a flexible workspace.
• Prairie du Sac Night Market Open-air street market at Riverwalk Park featuring live music, arts and crafts vendors, and food trucks, held several times per year to support downtown businesses. Targeted at local residents and visitors.
• Cow Chip Arts & Crafts Fair Annual outdoor art fair held during the Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw and Festival, featuring 150 vendor spaces with original art and crafts in Marion Park, Prairie du Sac. Targeted at art fair attendees and makers.
• Dueling Pianos Interactive dueling piano show event at Dorf Haus Supper Club featuring audience song requests, held annually with dinner and show options. Targeted at adults seeking interactive entertainment.
• Gallery and Studio Rental Event venue rental at River Arts on Water Gallery accommodating up to 60 guests, including gallery space, studio, and riverfront deck for showers, parties, corporate events, and small wedding ceremonies. Targeted at individuals and organizations hosting private events.
• Gift Certificates Gift certificates available in denominations of $10, $25, $50, and $100, redeemable for artwork purchases, class registrations, and event tickets. Targeted at gift-givers supporting friends and family.
• Membership Program Annual membership program with five tiers (Friend $50-$124, Family $125-$249, Patron $250-$499, Investor $500-$999, Benefactor $1,000+) offering ticket vouchers, early access to sales, gallery discounts, recognition benefits, and voting rights. Targeted at community supporters sustaining the nonprofit mission.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Annual corporate sponsorship program with six tiers (Copper $125, Bronze $250, Silver $500, Gold $1000, Platinum $3000, Titanium $6000) providing promotional benefits, event recognition, and brand alignment. Targeted at local businesses and organizations seeking community visibility.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Village of Prairie du SaccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Prairie du Sac Night Market event. Village provides support and resources for community arts events and programming.
• Ruth Culver Community LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Night Market events, providing restroom facilities and event support at nearby location.
• Friends of the Sauk Prairie Parks and RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Night Market event support and promotion.
• The VinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative fundraising partner for Family. Funk & Food Trucks event. Host venue provides outdoor setting for community fundraising event supporting River Arts mission.
• Bank of Prairie du SacminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Dueling Pianos event, providing promotional support and event sponsorship.
• Wormfarm InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Julia Blair on puppet design and art direction for video commissions.
• Sauk Prairie School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with school district essential to River Arts Center development. School facilities partnership enabled construction of performing arts center. River Arts Center is adjacent to Sauk Prairie High School and hosts school district events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Overture Center for the Arts: Larger Madison, WI-based performing arts and visual arts venue complex with multiple halls and galleries. Same multi-venue community arts model but operates at significantly greater scale and serves a broader metro audience.
• Madison Museum of Contemporary Art: Madison, WI-based nonprofit contemporary art museum with exhibitions, education, and community programming. Overlaps with River Arts' visual arts exhibition and educational mission but at greater scale and metro audience.

Direct peers

• Plymouth Arts Center: Community-based Wisconsin nonprofit arts center combining gallery exhibitions, performing arts programming, and adult art classes. Closely mirrors River Arts' integrated performing arts + visual arts + education model in a similar small-town Wisconsin setting.
• Stoughton Opera House: Historic Wisconsin performing arts venue hosting touring concerts, community theater, and educational programming in a small-town setting. Comparable in scale and rural Wisconsin community-venue positioning.
• Waukesha Civic Theatre: Wisconsin-based community performing arts organization producing theatrical performances and offering arts education. Comparable in nonprofit community-arts-presenter model and Wisconsin regional footprint.
• James Watrous Gallery: Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters gallery exhibiting Wisconsin artists and hosting community programming. Comparable in regional visual arts exhibition focus and nonprofit community-arts mission.
• Sunset Playhouse: Waukesha, WI-based community theater offering performances, classes, and youth programs. Overlapping in community performing arts mission, education programming, and Wisconsin-based operating geography.
• Cedarburg Cultural Center: Small Wisconsin-based nonprofit cultural center offering performing arts, visual art exhibitions, and arts education in a community setting. Most directly comparable in scale, mission, and programming mix to River Arts.

Regional players

• Peninsula Players Theatre: Door County, Wisconsin professional theater company producing theatrical performances and touring productions. Comparable as a Wisconsin performing arts organization but operates a more touring/professional model rather than the community-presenter model.

Others

• Wormfarm Institute: Wisconsin-based nonprofit supporting artists and rural communities through residencies, publications, and the Fermentation Fest. Listed as an existing River Arts partner (puppet design and art direction collaboration), making it directly comparable as a rural Wisconsin arts-and-culture nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/riverartsinc
• Instagraminstagram.com/riverartsinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/river-arts-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 River Arts, Inc.