The Arts Partnership
The Arts Partnership is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts council founded in 1970 that serves as the designated local arts intermediary for the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo metro, distributing grants, running artist development programs, and maintaining a Partner Directory and Event Calendar used by 6,000+ community members weekly.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersFargo, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Arts Partnership does
The Arts Partnership (TAP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts council founded in 1970 (originally as the Lake Agassiz Arts Council, rebranded in 2009) that serves as the designated local arts intermediary for the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo metropolitan area. The organization's mission is to support, advocate, and promote artists and arts organizations to broaden inclusion, interest, access, and participation in the arts. It operates with a 26-person staff led by Executive Director Tania Blanich (appointed 2023) and an 11-member Board of Directors with senior representation from regional employers including Gate City Bank, Microsoft, Razor Tracking, and Alerus Financial.
The Arts Partnership delivers its mission through a portfolio of grant programs, programs, and digital infrastructure. It administers four grant programs - City Arts Partnership Grants, Community Arts Partnership Grants, Individual Artist Grants, and Art for All Grants (the last funded by Choice Bank) - which collectively distributed $117,550 in 2026. Its programs include ArtWORKS (paid exhibition and performance opportunities), the Artist of Color Cohort (mentorship for emerging artists), Aptitude Creative Arts Studios (an artist incubator at West Acres shopping center), and Community Supported Art (a subscription art-share model). The organization maintains a Partner Directory of local artists, organizations, and businesses, an Event Calendar used by 6,000+ community members weekly, a weekly "Connecting the Dots" newsletter, and a Support Local Art merchandise line.
Revenue is generated through tax-deductible individual donations (one-time and sustaining), tiered partnership memberships for artists, organizations, and businesses, merchandise sales, and the pass-through administration of grants from national bodies including Americans for the Arts and Arts Midwest. The organization led the regional participation in the national Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 study, documenting that the local nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $55.4 million in economic activity, supports 1,384 jobs, and produces $10.1 million in tax revenue across 41 participating organizations. The Arts Partnership does not develop proprietary technology products; its competitive position rests on 55+ years of community incumbency, the Partner Directory and Event Calendar as default discovery infrastructure, and its role as the region's primary arts-policy and economic-impact data authority.
The Arts Partnership firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Arts Partnership
- Legal name
- The Arts Partnership
- Website
- https://theartspartnership.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Arts Partnership is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts council founded in 1970 that serves as the designated local arts intermediary for the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo metro, distributing grants, running artist development programs, and maintaining a Partner Directory and Event Calendar used by 6,000+ community members weekly.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Arts Partnership industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts Council Services
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building) (BPAGAHAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Community Arts, Culture & Creative Placemaking Enterprises (BPAGALAO)
Keywords
Where The Arts Partnership is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fargo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Arts Partnership business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts one-time and sustaining donations from individuals and supporters. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable donations are tax-deductible.
- Partnership/Membership Dues: Annual partnership memberships for artists, arts organizations, and businesses with tiered benefits including promotional opportunities, professional development, networking, access to grants and stipends, and paid opportunities to exhibit and perform.
- Grants to Artists and Organizations: The organization distributes grant funding to nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists through four grant programs: City Arts Partnership Grants, Community Arts Partnership Grants, Individual Artist Grants, and Art for All Grants. Awarded $117,550 in grants in 2026.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of Support Local Art merchandise including t-shirts, classic crew and baby onesies through partner Shirts From Fargo.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
The Arts Partnership product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Arts Partnership is a nonprofit local arts council that supports, advocates for, and promotes artists and arts organizations in the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo metro area. Its core offerings include four annual grant programs (City Arts Partnership, Community Arts Partnership, Individual Artist, and Art for All Grants) that distributed $117,550 in 2026, an online Partner Directory of local artists and organizations, an arts incubator (Aptitude Creative Arts Studios), mentorship programs such as the Artist of Color Cohort, an online community event calendar, and a Community Supported Art (CSA) program connecting subscribers with local artists.
Product overview
The Arts Partnership operates as a nonprofit arts council serving the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo communities since 1970. The organization offers a portfolio of grant programs including City Arts Partnership Grants, Community Arts Partnership Grants, Individual Artist Grants, and Art for All Grants, collectively distributing approximately $117,550 annually to nonprofit organizations and artists. Its programs include ArtWORKS (connecting artists with paid opportunities), the Artist of Color Cohort (mentorship for emerging artists), Aptitude Creative Arts Studios (artist incubator at West Acres), and Community Supported Art (CSA). The organization also maintains a Partner Directory of local artists and organizations and operates an Event Calendar serving over 6,000 weekly users.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- City Arts Partnership Grants
Quantifiable outcome
- $55.4 million in local economic activity generated by nonprofit arts sector
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Arts Partnership
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Arts Partnership technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Arts Partnership partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Choice BankcoreFunded the Art for All Grants program encouraging health and human services nonprofits to incorporate arts into their mission-based work.
- Americans for the ArtscoreNational arts advocacy organization that conducted the Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 study. The Arts Partnership led Greater Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo's participation in this economic and social impact study of the nation's nonprofit arts and culture industry.
- Chamber of Fargo, Moorhead and West FargocoreRegional Chamber of Commerce supported The Arts Partnership's participation in the AEP6 economic impact study, recognizing the arts' role in economic development.
- FM Convention and Visitors CenterminorConvention and visitors bureau supported participation in the AEP6 study, highlighting arts as an economic driver for tourism.
- Arts MidwestminorRegional arts organization supported local participation in the national AEP6 study.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Arts Partnership competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Arts Midwest: Regional arts service organization that partnered with The Arts Partnership on the AEP6 study. Comparable as a regional arts intermediary that convenes, funds, and advocates for artists and organizations across a multi-state footprint.
- Minnesota Citizens for the Arts: Statewide nonprofit arts advocacy coalition that mobilizes civic support for arts funding and policy. Comparable to The Arts Partnership's advocacy function, but operating at the state level rather than the metro level.
- Local Arts Council of the Moorhead Area (LAC): Moorhead-based local arts council serving part of the same metro area as The Arts Partnership. Comparable in mission and scale, illustrating intra-regional peer dynamics that The Arts Partnership navigates.
Broad incumbents
- Americans for the Arts: National nonprofit arts service organization that produced the Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 study that The Arts Partnership led locally. Comparable as the umbrella advocacy and capacity-building body for the U.S. nonprofit arts sector, but operating nationally rather than at a single-metro level.
- National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA): Membership organization that supports and convenes U.S. state and jurisdictional arts agencies. Comparable as an arts-sector intermediary focused on advocacy, capacity building, and policy — a one-level-up peer to The Arts Partnership.
Emerging players
- Creative Capital: National nonprofit that provides grants and advisory services to individual artists across the U.S. Overlaps with The Arts Partnership's Individual Artist Grants program but operates nationally with a different funding model.
- Grantmakers in the Arts: Membership network of arts funders and arts grantmakers that provides research, advocacy, and convening. Comparable as a peer intermediary, though focused on the funder side of the arts funding flow rather than directly funding artists like The Arts Partnership.
Direct peers
- Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council: Local arts council serving the Pittsburgh metro with advocacy, grants, professional development, and arts programming — a near-identical operating model to The Arts Partnership in a different metro market.
- Greater Columbus Arts Council: Local arts council providing grants, community programs, and advocacy for the Columbus metro. Operates a comparable mix of grant rounds, partner directory, and cultural programming that mirrors The Arts Partnership's portfolio.
- Indianapolis Arts Council: Local arts council for the Indianapolis metro that provides grants, advocacy, and programs for individual artists and arts organizations. Directly comparable in scope and service mix to The Arts Partnership.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Arts Partnership social profiles
Digital presenceThe Arts Partnership financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Arts Partnership leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
The Arts Partnership funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Arts Partnership 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 The Arts Partnership
What does The Arts Partnership do?
The Arts Partnership is a nonprofit local arts council that supports, advocates for, and promotes artists and arts organizations in the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo metro area. Its core offerings include four annual grant programs (City Arts Partnership, Community Arts Partnership, Individual Artist, and Art for All Grants) that distributed $117,550 in 2026, an online Partner Directory of local artists and organizations, an arts incubator (Aptitude Creative Arts Studios), mentorship programs such as the Artist of Color Cohort, an online community event calendar, and a Community Supported Art (CSA) program connecting subscribers with local artists.
Is The Arts Partnership a public or private company?
The Arts Partnership is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Arts Partnership founded?
The Arts Partnership was founded in 1970. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Arts Partnership based?
The Arts Partnership is headquartered in Fargo, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Arts Partnership make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are partnership/Membership Dues, grants to Artists and Organizations and merchandise Sales.
Who are The Arts Partnership's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Arts Midwest, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and Local Arts Council of the Moorhead Area (LAC). Broad incumbents are Americans for the Arts and National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA). Emerging players are Creative Capital and Grantmakers in the Arts. Direct peers are Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Greater Columbus Arts Council and Indianapolis Arts Council.
Does The Arts Partnership have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Arts Partnership.
What industry is The Arts Partnership in?
The Arts Partnership's product category is Arts Council Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAL, Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building), with a secondary code of BPAGALAO, Community Arts, Culture & Creative Placemaking Enterprises. Its NAICS code is 71 and its SIC code is 8600.