Storytelling Arts of Indiana

What Storytelling Arts of Indiana does

Storytelling Arts of Indiana is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization incorporated in 1987 as Stories, Inc. and rebranded under its current name in 2011. Operating from Indianapolis, Indiana with a staff of approximately 5, the organization produces 140+ live and virtual storytelling events annually for Indiana audiences. Its core programming includes the Signature Series at the Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, the Indy Story Slam, the Annual Liar's Contest at the Indiana State Fair, the As I Recall Storytelling Guild, the Frank Basile Emerging Stories Fellowship, and five regional storytelling guilds. The organization also runs therapeutic storytelling programs at Riley Children's Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital (since 2002), youth outreach across 15 Marion County summer day camps reaching 400+ children annually, and senior storytelling through OASIS partnerships. Programs serving veterans and formerly incarcerated individuals ('Hear Our Stories: The Life & Afterlife of Incarceration,' launched 2021) extend reach into underserved populations.

The organization does not operate a technology product. Its infrastructure consists of a WordPress website (storytellingarts.org), eTapestry/Givelively donation platforms, TicketTailor ticketing, Zoom-based virtual guilds, YouTube and Facebook Live for hybrid event delivery, and active social media channels. Revenue is diversified across individual donations, corporate sponsorships (starting at $1,000), grants and foundation funding (Indianapolis Foundation, Central Indiana Community Foundation-managed endowment exceeding $400,000 as of June 2024), ticket sales ($15–$35 per event), contract fees for school/library/corporate performances, and merchandise (notably published story collections). The organization is volunteer-intensive, with board members, ticket takers, hospital storytellers, and committee members forming the operational backbone.

In April 2024, the board appointed Ronan Marra as Executive Director following co-founder Ellen Munds's June 30, 2024 retirement—marking the first leadership transition outside the co-founder circle. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors with representation from Eli Lilly & Company, Aaron Wealth Advisors, Kightlinger & Gray, Anderson University, and other Indiana institutions. The endowment, established in 1993–1995 with a $75 founding gift, has grown to over $400,000 under Central Indiana Community Foundation stewardship.

Name

Storytelling Arts of Indiana

Legal name

Storytelling Arts of Indiana

Website

https://storytellingarts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Storytelling Arts of Indiana is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces 140+ live and virtual storytelling events annually across Indiana, serving general audiences, youth, seniors, hospital patients, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals through performances, workshops, and community programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Nonprofit Arts Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Creative Writing & Storytelling (Fiction, Poetry, Screenwriting) (EDAMAAAI), Arts Education Instruction (Visual/Performing) (EDAJAFAK)

Keywords

• Live storytelling performances
• Community storytelling programs
• Storytelling education outreach
• Nonprofit arts organization
• Storyteller fellowship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies heavily on contributed income including individual and corporate donations, monthly contributions, stock gifts, and planned giving. The annual campaign raises funds to support operations.
2. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for Signature Series performances and events at Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center and other venues.
3. Contract Fees: Fees collected from contract performances at schools, libraries, corporate events, and community venues.
4. Grants and Foundation Funding: Funding secured through writing grants and foundation proposals including support from Indianapolis Foundation and other regional foundations.
5. Event Sponsorships: Corporate and individual sponsorships for specific events or entire seasons, starting at $1,000 level. Includes emcee, ASL interpreter, and videographer sponsorship.
6. Merchandise Sales: Sale of books including 'The Scenic Route: Stories from the Heartland,' 'If These Walls Could Tell,' and 'From Stage to Page: Stories from the Frank Basile Emerging Stories Fellowship.'

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Storytelling Arts of Indiana is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that presents live and virtual storytelling performances, educational outreach programs, and community storytelling events. Its offerings include the Signature Series featuring professional storytellers, the As I Recall Storytelling Guild, monthly Indy Story Slams, the Annual Liar's Contest at the Indiana State Fair, the Frank Basile Emerging Stories Fellowship, therapeutic hospital storytelling, youth summer camp programs, and senior workshops.

Product overview

Storytelling Arts of Indiana is a nonprofit arts organization (501(c)(3)) that enriches, connects, and entertains through the art and experience of storytelling. Rather than a software product company, it offers in-person and virtual storytelling events, educational programs, and community outreach initiatives. Programs include the Signature Series featuring professional storytellers, As I Recall Storytelling Guild, Indy Story Slam, the Annual Liar's Contest at Indiana State Fair, Frank Basile Emerging Stories Fellowship, hospital storytelling programs, senior outreach, and youth/school programs. The organization does not offer a technology product, software platform, or SaaS offering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Frank Basile Emerging Stories Fellowship: Annual fellowship program for Indiana storytellers to create and premiere new material, funded by Frank and Katrina Basile.
• Bloomfield & Friends
• As I Recall Storytelling Guild
• Indy Story Slam
• Annual Liar's Contest
• Hear Our Stories: The Life & Afterlife of Incarceration
• Signature Series

Products and services

• Signature Series Main performance series featuring nationally recognized professional storytellers at the Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center in Indianapolis. Ticket prices range from $15 to $35. Hybrid (in-person and virtual) attendance options available.
• As I Recall Storytelling Guild

Quantifiable outcome

• 140+ events annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Trusted MentorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaboration for 'Hear Our Stories: The Life & Afterlife of Incarceration' program training formerly incarcerated individuals to share their stories.
• The GardencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in 'Hear Our Stories: The Life & Afterlife of Incarceration' program supporting re-entry storytelling.
• OASIScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Collaboration to train OASIS members (adults 55+) in recalling, developing and telling family stories. Formed an OASIS Storytelling Guild with three ten-week workshops per year.
• Riley Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Storytelling program providing therapeutic storytelling at bedside for pediatric patients since 2002.
• St. Vincent's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Children's Unit storytelling program providing therapeutic storytelling since 2002.
• Central Indiana Community FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Manages the Storytelling Arts Endowment which has grown to over $400,000 as of June 2024. Endowment board transfers 5% interest annually to operating fund.
• Indiana Historical SocietyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1988Longest-standing partnership. Co-presents the Signature Series and relocated the Hoosier Storytelling Festival downtown. IHS provides office space and serves as primary venue host. Collaborated on 'Sharing Hoosier History Through Stories' series, CD, and book 'Stories from the Heartland.' Currently in 38th season partnership.
• Indiana State FaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual collaboration hosting the Liar's Contest at the Pioneer Village building. Now in its 17th year. Contest is free with fair admission and offers cash prizes in Adult and Youth categories.
• Armed Services Arts PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to teach veterans to tell stories as part of veteran support programming.
• Avondale Meadows YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for after-school storytelling classes for middle school students.
• Marian UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership supporting storytelling programs.
• Phoenix Theatre & Cultural CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for 'Spine-Tingling Tales' event, hosting the annual two-night storytelling event.
• Renaissance SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with this non-traditional educational center in Warren Township providing storytelling classes for high school students.
• Freetown VillagecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration for monthly Indy Story Slam events, with Freetown Village providing ongoing support.
• Maestro OrganizingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Indy Story Slam events.
• WFYIcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for Indy Story Slam events.
• Indigo Arts AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaine-based organization promoting Black and Brown artists. Connected storyteller Antonio Rocha for the 'Malaga Ship' story development.
• Indiana LandmarkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for 'If These Walls Could Tell' series exploring history through stories at historic Indiana sites.
• St. Luke's United Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for 'Hear Our Stories' performances, hosting the first public program with 80 in-person and virtual audience members.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Indiana Repertory Theatre: Indianapolis-based professional performing arts nonprofit producing live theater. Comparable as a regional performing arts nonprofit in the same Indianapolis ecosystem with overlapping audience and donor bases.
• Phoenix Theatre & Cultural Centre: Indianapolis venue partner for SAI's 'Spine-Tingling Tales' event. Regional performing arts nonprofit with overlapping programming formats and Indianapolis audience overlap.
• IndyFringe: Indianapolis performing arts festival featuring diverse storytelling and live performance acts. Regional peer operating in the same Indianapolis arts ecosystem with similar community-building mission.
• Arts for Learning Indiana: Indiana-based nonprofit providing arts education programming in schools. Comparable as an Indianapolis nonprofit delivering arts education and community arts programming, with overlapping school partnerships.

Others

• Indiana Historical Society: Flagship strategic partner of Storytelling Arts of Indiana for 38 seasons. Comparable as an Indianapolis-based nonprofit cultural institution, with overlapping historical storytelling programming and shared office/venue footprint.

Direct peers

• The Moth: National nonprofit that produces live storytelling events and StorySLAM competitions. Directly comparable mission and event format, though operating at substantially larger national scale.
• StoryCorps: National nonprofit dedicated to recording and preserving personal stories. Comparable storytelling mission and community-based programming, but with a national footprint and major institutional backing.
• National Storytelling Network: The national membership organization for the storytelling art form. Directly comparable in category — Storytelling Arts of Indiana is a state-level affiliate and the NSN awarded its Distinguished National Service Award to SAI's co-founder.
• Storytelling Foundation International: National nonprofit promoting storytelling as a tool for human development. Directly comparable mission in storytelling advocacy, with educational and community-programming overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Actors Theatre of Louisville: Mid-major regional performing arts nonprofit in the broader Midwest cultural ecosystem. Comparable as a regional performing arts nonprofit, though with broader theatrical programming and larger operating scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Storytellingart
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCa99UBRrIahVbGPQ1rZvEBQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/storytellingart
• Instagraminstagram.com/StorytellingArtsofIndiana1987
• Pinterestpinterest.com/StorytellingIN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/storytelling-arts-of-indiana

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Storytelling Arts of Indiana