GlassRoots
GlassRoots is a Newark, New Jersey nonprofit glassblowing studio founded in 2000 that delivers affordable hands-on glass art education to Newark youth, supported by artist studio rentals and award production revenue. It is relocating to a larger Teachers Village facility in Spring 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersNewark, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What GlassRoots does
GlassRoots is a Newark, New Jersey-based nonprofit arts education organization founded in 2000 that operates a dedicated glassblowing and glassworking studio serving primarily Newark youth. The organization provides hands-on glass art instruction, artist studio rentals, and custom award production services, with its core technology being a physical hot shop environment outfitted with multiple glass furnaces and purpose-built classroom space. Its business model combines earned revenue from studio rentals to working artists and transactional revenue from award commissions with the broader nonprofit mission of delivering affordable arts programming to underserved local youth.
The organization is currently undertaking a significant operational expansion, relocating in Spring 2026 from its long-standing 10 Bleecker Street location to a substantially larger, purpose-built facility at 23 William Street within the Teachers Village education hub. The new facility features multiple furnaces, classrooms that can accommodate up to 16 students per session, and street-facing observation windows that allow the public to view glassblowing in progress — a deliberate design choice intended to strengthen both programming capacity and community visibility. GlassRoots deepens its integration with co-located education partners in Teachers Village, embedding its programming within a network of Newark schools to expand student access.
GlassRoots operates with an 11–50 employee headcount, serves markets in Newark and Montclair, and distributes its offering exclusively through direct in-person studio access rather than digital or traveling-program channels. No app, API, or digital product exists, and no funding rounds, acquisitions, or institutional investors are disclosed. The organization's competitive position rests on two decades of brand reputation in Newark arts education, specialized furnace infrastructure that would be costly for new entrants to replicate, and proximity to partner schools that anchor its student pipeline.
GlassRoots firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GlassRoots
- Website
- https://glassroots.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- GlassRoots is a Newark, New Jersey nonprofit glassblowing studio founded in 2000 that delivers affordable hands-on glass art education to Newark youth, supported by artist studio rentals and award production revenue. It is relocating to a larger Teachers Village facility in Spring 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where GlassRoots is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newark
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
GlassRoots business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Artist Studio Rentals: Revenue generated from renting studio space to artists who work with glass materials.
- Award Production: Production of awards as a revenue stream supporting the nonprofit's mission of affordable arts programming.
Distribution channels1 record
GlassRoots product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GlassRoots is a nonprofit arts organization that provides hands-on glassblowing and glassworking instruction to Newark youth and community members in purpose-built studio facilities. Beyond education, the organization generates revenue by renting studio space to working artists and producing custom glass awards to support its mission of affordable arts programming.
Product overview
GlassRoots operates as a single, unified nonprofit arts studio offering hands-on glassblowing and glassworking instruction to the community. The organization provides three interconnected offerings: structured classes and programs for youth and community members (accommodating up to 16 students in dedicated hot shop classrooms), artist studio rentals (which generate revenue supporting the mission), and custom award production services. The studio is relocating in Spring 2026 to a larger purpose-built facility featuring multiple furnaces and street-facing observation windows.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Glassblowing Classes and Programs
- Artist Studio Rentals
- Custom Award Production
Companies that use GlassRoots
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
GlassRoots technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
GlassRoots partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Teachers Village Education PartnerscoreGlassRoots is deepening its integration with education partners within Teachers Village. The new location at 23 William Street strengthens collaboration with these educational institutions, providing enhanced programming opportunities for Newark youth in the arts.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
GlassRoots competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Corning Museum of Glass: Larger glass-focused institution offering extensive educational programming, classes, and demonstrations. Comparable to GlassRoots in mission and educational programming, though at significantly larger scale and with museum operations.
- Museum of Glass (Tacoma): Glass-focused arts institution offering classes, hot shop demonstrations, and youth programs. Comparable to GlassRoots in mission and educational focus on glassblowing, though larger in scope and includes museum operations.
- WheatonArts: New Jersey-based nonprofit cultural organization offering glass art classes, studios, and educational programs. Comparable to GlassRoots in nonprofit arts education focus and regional accessibility, with broader cultural programming.
Direct peers
- Pittsburgh Glass Center: Nonprofit glass art education facility in Pittsburgh offering classes, studio access, and artist residencies. Comparable to GlassRoots as a community-focused glass arts education nonprofit with similar programming structure.
- UrbanGlass: Brooklyn-based nonprofit glass arts education center offering classes, studio rentals, and artist residencies. Directly comparable to GlassRoots in mission (glass arts education nonprofit), operating model (studios + classes), and revenue mix.
- Pilchuck Glass School: Renowned nonprofit glass art education institution offering classes, workshops, and residencies. Comparable to GlassRoots in nonprofit educational mission centered on glassblowing and glassworking instruction.
Others
- Burning Man: Nonprofit organization with arts-focused programming and community engagement. While not a direct glass arts peer, comparable as a nonprofit that supports arts education and community-based creative programming through experiential models.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
GlassRoots social profiles
Digital presenceGlassRoots financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GlassRoots leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
GlassRoots funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GlassRoots 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 GlassRoots
What does GlassRoots do?
GlassRoots is a nonprofit arts organization that provides hands-on glassblowing and glassworking instruction to Newark youth and community members in purpose-built studio facilities. Beyond education, the organization generates revenue by renting studio space to working artists and producing custom glass awards to support its mission of affordable arts programming.
Is GlassRoots a public or private company?
GlassRoots is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was GlassRoots founded?
GlassRoots was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is GlassRoots based?
GlassRoots is headquartered in Newark, United States, in the North America region.
How does GlassRoots make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Artist Studio Rentals are the primary driver. The others are award Production.
Who are GlassRoots's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Corning Museum of Glass, Museum of Glass (Tacoma) and WheatonArts. Direct peers are Pittsburgh Glass Center, UrbanGlass and Pilchuck Glass School. Burning Man is listed as an others.
Does GlassRoots have an API?
No public API is recorded for GlassRoots.