Weinberg Center for the Arts

What Weinberg Center for the Arts does

Weinberg Center for the Arts is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization headquartered in Frederick, Maryland. It operates two venues — the historic 1926 Tivoli movie palace (Weinberg Center, 1,183 seats) and the New Spire Arts flexible black box theater (275 seats), absorbed under unified management in August 2022 — and presents approximately 150 live music, dance, theater, classic film, family entertainment, and speaker events annually, drawing more than 85,000 patrons. The organization also delivers arts education programs to over 8,000 Frederick County school children each year and is widely known as "The Jewel of Frederick." The venue houses the Weinberg Wurlitzer organ, the only theater organ in Maryland still in its original 1926 installation.

The organization monetizes through a diversified revenue stack: transactional ticket sales ($15-$65 per ticket), tiered memberships ($35-$1,000 annually, with the premium Tivoli Society requiring a 10-year, $10,000 pledge), corporate sponsorships ($1,500 Corporate Leadership Club; $5,000-$25,000 season sponsors), individual donations including commemorative preservation naming ($500-$20,000), venue rentals ($575-$4,000 plus percentage of gross), gift vouchers, concessions, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Maryland State Arts Council, and local foundations. The building itself is owned by the City of Frederick and operated in a public-private partnership with the nonprofit. Distribution is multi-channel across in-person box office, phone, and online ticketing (Spektrix), with marketing via email, Meta, Google, and partnerships with Visit Frederick and local media.

Customer segments span general community members, school groups, corporate partners, event renters/producers, and speaker-series attendees; the venue also serves as a destination that drives an estimated $7M in annual economic activity for surrounding downtown Frederick businesses. As a public-private nonprofit, the organization's financial health is structurally anchored by government ownership, multi-source grant funding, and deep community donor entrenchment rather than by venture capital or equity markets.

Name

Weinberg Center for the Arts

Legal name

Weinberg Center for the Arts, Inc.

Website

https://weinbergcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Weinberg Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating two Frederick, Maryland venues — the historic 1926 Tivoli (1,183 seats) and New Spire Arts (275 seats) — presenting ~150 live performances, film, and speaker events annually to 85,000+ patrons and 8,000+ school children through tickets, memberships, sponsorships, and rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Live music concerts
• Theatrical performances
• Arts education programs
• Venue rental services

Headquarters

HQ city

Frederick

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for performances at both Weinberg Center (up to 1,183 seats) and New Spire Arts (up to 275 seats). Ticket prices range from $15-$65 depending on performance and seat location. Additional per-ticket and per-order fees apply for online/phone orders.
2. Membership Programs: Annual membership program with tiers from $35 (Under 35) to $1,000 (Tivoli Society). Higher tiers include benefits like advance ticket reservations, free ticket exchanges, complimentary movie tickets, concessions coupons, Live! Series tickets, pre-show receptions, premium seating, and lobby recognition.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate Leadership Club memberships at $1,500 annually providing $500 box office credit, Tivoli Society pre-show receptions, advance purchase privileges, company acknowledgment, and 20% employee discount. Season/major series sponsorships from $5,000-$25,000 with prominent exposure, comp tickets, and meet-the-artist opportunities. Individual event sponsorships also available.
4. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations of any amount, with commemorative giving opportunities including named stars ($5,000-$10,000), named chairs ($500-$2,000), and commemorative bricks ($500).
5. Venue Rentals: Rental income from both venues for performances, private parties, weddings, meetings, film screenings, and commercial shoots. Rates vary by venue, day of week, profit/nonprofit status, and include percentage of gross ticket sales for public events.
6. Gift Vouchers: Gift certificates sold in any denomination, valid for 4 years, redeemable for any performance without restriction.
7. Concessions and Bar: Food and beverage service available at events, including lobby bar and concessions with pricing that supports venue operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Weinberg Center for the Arts operates two performing arts venues in downtown Frederick, MD — the 1,183-seat historic Weinberg Center (a 1926 Art Deco movie palace housing the only Wurlitzer theater organ in Maryland still in its original installation) and the 275-seat flexible black-box New Spire Arts — presenting approximately 150 live performances, film screenings, family entertainment, and speaker events per year. The organization sells individual and group tickets, annual memberships, corporate sponsorships, gift vouchers, concessions, and venue rentals, and delivers arts-education programs to over 8,000 Frederick County school children annually. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating in partnership with the City of Frederick, it relies on ticket revenue, memberships, donations, and grants to fund programming.

Product overview

Weinberg Center for the Arts operates as a dual-venue performing arts center with the historic Weinberg Center (1926 movie palace, 1,183 seats) and New Spire Arts (flexible black box theater, 275 seats). The organization offers ticketed performances across multiple programming series: LIVE Series (music/concerts), STAGES at New Spire Arts (theater), Frederick Speaker Series (lectures), and Community Events. Supporting offerings include gift vouchers, tiered membership programs, venue rentals, guided tours, and Listen-WiFi assistive listening services. The center operates as a nonprofit with various donation and sponsorship programs including the premium Tivoli Society donor program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weinberg Center Historic 1926 movie palace and primary performing arts venue seating up to 1,183 people across orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony. Offers professional music, dance, theater, classic movies, family entertainment, and houses the only Wurlitzer theater organ in Maryland still in its original installation.
• New Spire Arts Flexible black box theater seating up to 275 people with a renovated lobby that doubles as a community gathering space, featuring intimate performances including local theater, dance, music, and comedy at 15 West Patrick Street, Frederick.
• Box Office / Ticket Sales Centralized ticket purchasing service for Weinberg Center and New Spire Arts performances, available via online (24/7), phone ($301-600-2828, $5 order fee), and in-person box office channels with no fees for walk-up purchases. Tickets typically priced $15-$65 with discounts for seniors, students, children, and military.
• Venue Rentals Rental of both Weinberg Center (1,183 seats) and New Spire Arts (275 seats) for performances, film screenings, meetings, weddings, private parties, and commercial shoots. Rates from $250/hour to $4,000 per event with nonprofit discounts and 10% gross ticket revenue share on public performances.
• Membership Programs Tiered annual membership program with levels from $35 (Under 35) to $1,000 (Tivoli Society). Benefits include advance ticket reservations, free ticket exchanges, complimentary movie tickets, concessions coupons, Live! Series tickets, pre-show receptions, premium seating, and lobby recognition.
• Tivoli Society Elite donor society requiring a $1,000/year pledge for 10 years (total $10,000). Benefits include special seating section, invitations to private pre-show receptions, two season passes to movie series, complimentary Live! Series ticket, and lobby listing.
• Frederick Speaker Series Annual speaker series, now in its 13th season, featuring world-class speakers covering inspirational and thought-provoking topics. Co-presented with Frederick County Public Libraries, with Meet & Greet proceeds benefiting children's programming.
• LIVE Series Concert and music series at the Weinberg Center celebrating iconic musicians and exceptional musicianship, including touring jazz, classical, and popular music artists.
• STAGES at New Spire Arts Theater programming series at New Spire Arts featuring local and regional theater productions, comedy, and dramatic performances.
• Gift Vouchers Gift certificates sold in any denomination, valid for 4 years, redeemable for any performance at either venue without restriction.
• Guided Tours Behind-the-scenes tours of the historic Weinberg Center lasting 45-60 minutes, showcasing the Art Deco architecture, crystal chandeliers, marble and silk wall coverings, and theatrical history of the 1926 movie palace.
• Listen-WiFi Assistive Listening Free Wi-Fi-based assistive listening service streaming high-quality audio to patron smartphones or borrowed audio receivers, enabling enhanced sound experience for guests with hearing impairments or personal listening enhancement needs. Funded by Visit Frederick.
• Photography Sessions Theater photography sessions available for $400 plus certificate of insurance, including 90 minutes of venue access with technical crew assistance for personal and commercial shoots.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Corporate sponsorship program with Corporate Leadership Club at $1,500/year, plus season/major series sponsorships from $5,000 to $25,000. Benefits include box office credit, Tivoli Society pre-show receptions, advance purchase privileges, company acknowledgment, comp tickets, employee discounts, and meet-the-artist opportunities.
• Historic Preservation Naming Donations Commemorative naming opportunities supporting historic preservation, including named bricks ($500), named stars ($5,000-$10,000), named theater chairs ($500-$2,000), and row naming ($15,000-$20,000), with complimentary tickets for higher levels.
• Concessions and Bar Food and beverage service available at events at the lobby bar and concessions counters, supporting venue operations with per-item pricing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 85,000 patrons annually visit downtown Frederick businesses
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerState arts council providing grant support and promotional partnership. Logo displayed as a proud presenter on the website. Artist engagements supported by Maryland State Arts Council grants.
• Plamondon Hospitality PartnersmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal hospitality company with hotel properties recommended for Weinberg patrons. Includes Fairfield Inn & Suites, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, and Residence Inn by Marriott in Frederick with corporate booking rates.
• Ausherman Family FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation that provided catalyzing grant founding New Spire Arts Inc. in 2016. Logo displayed as a proud presenter. Major supporter of Frederick arts community.
• National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal arts agency providing grant support. Logo displayed as a supporter. Major funder of arts programming nationwide.
• Frederick County Public LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of the Frederick Speaker Series. Proceeds from all Speaker Series Meet & Greet events benefit children's programming at Frederick County Public Libraries.
• C. Burr Artz TrustcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors the Frederick Speaker Series. Historic trust supporting arts and culture in Frederick.
• Tivoli SocietycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiscovery Series sponsor. Major donor society providing $1,000/year for 10 years pledges. Special seating section, pre-show receptions, movie season passes, and Live! Series tickets included.
• Frederick Keys BaseballminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily Series sponsor. Local baseball team supporting family-friendly programming.
• Music & ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnersmARTS Series sponsor. Retailer of musical instruments and supplies supporting arts education.
• G. Frank Thomas FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilent Film Series sponsor. Foundation supporting the historic film programming featuring the Wurlitzer organ.
• Nora Roberts FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLogo displayed as a supporter. Foundation of bestselling author supporting Maryland arts.
• PNC BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLogo displayed as a supporter. Major bank supporting Frederick arts and community organizations.
• Frederick Arts CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaged the Cultural Arts Center property (15 West Patrick) from 1998-2013 before operations transferred to create New Spire Arts. FAC Member discounts available on tickets.
• Wonder BookminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFilm Series sponsor. Local bookstore supporting literary and film programming.
• Visit FrederickminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTourism organization. Funded ListenWiFi assistive listening system. Promotes Weinberg as destination attraction.
• Hood CollegeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal college. Logo displayed as supporter. May provide student volunteers and educational partnerships.
• Mid Atlantic ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional arts organization supporting touring artists and arts programming in the mid-Atlantic region.
• Delaplaine FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal foundation supporting Frederick arts. Frederick Speaker Series sponsor (Delaplaine logo on Jeff Corwin event).
• 16 Local Restaurants (Dining Partners)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgave 137, Brewer's Alley, Bloom Asian Haus, Bushwallers, Cacique, Cellar Door, Cucina Massi, Il Porto, Jojo's Restaurant & Tap House, Lazy Fish, Simple Theory, Sumittra Thai Cuisine, Tenth Ward Distilling, Thai Table, The Orchard, True Standard Distilling, Tsunami Ramen. Offer 10-20% discounts to ticketholders presenting ticket or pre-show email.
• GraphcomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal marketing/communications firm. Logo displayed as supporter.
• Frederick MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal lifestyle publication. Logo displayed as supporter with media partnership.
• Frederick News-PostminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal newspaper. Logo displayed as supporter. Source for historical photos and coverage.
• Maryland Public TelevisionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState public television. Logo displayed as supporter.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Imagination Stage: Bethesda, MD-based nonprofit children's theater and education center producing and presenting theater for young audiences. Comparable as a DC-metro area nonprofit performing arts organization with overlapping educational programming for school children and family entertainment focus.

Direct peers

• Signature Theatre (Arlington, VA): Arlington, VA-based Tony Award-winning regional theater company operating its own venue and presenting musicals and productions. Comparable as a DC-metro area nonprofit performing arts organization offering ticketed theater, memberships, and educational programs with similar scale and donor model.
• Strathmore: Bethesda, MD-based nonprofit performing arts venue presenting music, dance, and visual arts at the Strathmore Hall mansion and Music Center. Directly comparable as a Maryland-area multi-venue presenter with similar educational outreach, membership programs, and reliance on donations/corporate sponsorships.
• Center Stage (Baltimore): Baltimore, MD-based professional regional theater producing classic and contemporary work with strong education programs. Comparable as a Maryland-based nonprofit LORT-equivalent theater offering ticketed performances, memberships, school programs, and donor-driven funding.
• AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: Silver Spring, MD-based nonprofit cinema and cultural center presenting repertory film, festivals, and education programs. Comparable as a Maryland-area nonprofit venue combining film programming with live events and educational outreach under a similar operating model.
• Olney Theatre Center: Olney, MD-based professional regional theater producing plays and musicals with year-round programming and education programs. Comparable as a Maryland-area nonprofit theater presenting ticketed live performances with memberships, school outreach, and donor support.

Broad incumbents

• Arena Stage: Washington, DC-based major regional theater and one of America's largest nonprofit theaters producing new works and classics across three stages. Comparable as a mid-Atlantic nonprofit presenting house with memberships, education programs, and donor base, but at substantially larger scale.
• The Kennedy Center: Washington, DC-based national performing arts center operated partly as a public-private nonprofit presenting music, dance, theater, and opera across multiple stages. Comparable as a federally affiliated multi-venue presenter with memberships, education, and corporate sponsorship, but operating at national scale.

Regional players

• Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center: Baltimore, MD-based presenting venue in a restored 1914 theater offering Broadway tours, concerts, and family programming. Comparable as a historic mid-Atlantic presenting house with similar restoration story, multi-tier seating, and mixed-use programming strategy.
• Capitol Theatre (Clearwater, FL): Clearwater, FL-based restored 1921 historic theater presenting concerts, films, and community events as a nonprofit. Comparable as a historic restored movie palace converted into a multi-use presenting venue with memberships, sponsorships, and educational/community programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/weinbergcenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/WeinbergCenterfortheArts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/weinberg-center-for-the-arts

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Weinberg Center for the Arts