Playhouse Arts

What Playhouse Arts does

Playhouse Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 26-0383637) incorporated in California and operating as Arcata's designated Local Arts Agency since its founding in 2006 and opening as the Arcata Playhouse in February 2007. The organization serves youth, families, local artists, community members, and underserved populations (including unhoused individuals and indigenous youth) across Arcata and Humboldt County in Northern California. It operates a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on a 150-seat theater venue (Arcata Playhouse), a seasonal circus tent (Circus Tent at Ennes Park), a community radio station (Humboldt Hot Air / KHHA 94.7 FM), mobile arts services (Wonder Wagon), school-based arts residencies (Artists in Schools), youth summer camps, inclusive programming (Our Space Arts), cultural festivals (One Village Many Peoples, Fairy Festival, Zero to Fierce, Porch Fest, Migrations), and public art initiatives (Art Around Arcata).

The organization has no proprietary technology stack, API, or software product; its infrastructure consists of a Wix-hosted website, conventional social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), community radio broadcasting, and physical venues. Programming is delivered by a team of approximately 10 staff plus 9 board members, led by Executive/Artistic Director Jacqueline Dandeneau and Co-Founder David Ferney.

The revenue model is diversified across five streams: theater and circus tent rentals ($400-$500/day), individual ticket sales ($10-$50 per event), program/registration fees for summer camps ($175-$350 per participant) and classes, corporate sponsorships with logo placement and recognition, and donations/contributions from individuals and organizations. Public funding includes City of Arcata arts commissions ($10,000-$60,000), NEA Big Read grant (2025), and Measure J pass-through funds via Humboldt Creative Alliance. Pricing is transaction-based or recurring depending on stream, with gift cards ($25-$200) offering flexible gifting. Go-to-market is event-driven and community-anchored, relying on grassroots outreach, local media partnerships (Mad River Union, KHSU), social media, and referral networks rather than traditional sales motion.

Name

Playhouse Arts

Legal name

Playhouse Arts

Website

https://playhousearts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Playhouse Arts is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating as Arcata's Local Arts Agency, running a 150-seat theater, community radio station, mobile arts services, festivals, and youth education programs serving Humboldt County residents, families, local artists, and underserved communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Arts and Cultural Services

NAICS

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111)

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

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

Keywords

• Community arts center
• Theater venue rental
• Arts education programs
• Cultural festivals
• Nonprofit arts organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Arcata

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Theater Rentals: Rents out Arcata Playhouse theater space and circus tent to local organizations, community groups, and individuals for events, performances, weddings, and gatherings.
2. Ticket Sales: Generates revenue from ticket sales for performances, concerts, theater productions, circus events, film screenings, and workshops.
3. Program Fees: Fees for summer camps, workshops, youth programs, and educational programming.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide support in exchange for logo placement, social media recognition, tickets, and lobby star recognition.
5. Donations and Contributions: Accepts one-time and recurring donations from individuals and organizations to support arts programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Playhouse Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community arts center operating the Arcata Playhouse, a 150-seat theater in Arcata's Creamery District. The organization runs theater rentals, youth summer camps, school-based arts residencies, mobile arts services (Wonder Wagon), community radio at 94.7 FM (Humboldt Hot Air), public art programs, and seasonal festivals including One Village Many Peoples, Fairy Festival, Zero to Fierce, Porch Fest, and Migrations.

Product overview

Playhouse Arts is a nonprofit community arts center and Arcata's Local Arts Agency that operates as a platform of interconnected arts programs and event venues. The core offering centers on the Arcata Playhouse, a 150-seat theater venue available for rental, complemented by a diverse portfolio of community arts programs including mobile arts services (Wonder Wagon), school-based arts education (Artists in Schools), inclusive arts programming (Our Space Arts), and community radio (Humboldt Hot Air). The organization runs seasonal festivals (One Village Many Peoples, Arcata Fairy Festival, Zero to Fierce, Porch Fest, Migrations), youth summer camps (Fairies and Wizards, Little Hands Big Art, Pageant at the Playhouse), family programming (Family Fun Series, The Big Read), and offers venue rental, gift cards, and classes/workshops. The programs collectively aim to build community through the arts across Humboldt County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arcata Playhouse Theater Venue A fully equipped 150-seat theater venue in the Creamery District featuring a 32' by 12' stage, professional lighting, sound system, projector, dressing room, and kitchen. Available for rental to local organizations, schools, community groups, and individuals for events, performances, weddings, and conferences.
• Wonder Wagon Mobile Arts

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Flynn Creek CircuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Annual circus performances at Arcata Playhouse Creamery District field, with collaboration on 20th Anniversary Gala and Pageant at the Playhouse summer camp program.
• Humboldt County LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in The Big Read community literature program, distributing books and hosting creative activities inspired by shared literary works.
• Humboldt TaikominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Local community drumming group performing at festivals and conducting taiko demonstration and folk dance workshops.
• Hip Hop HumboldtminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Local hip hop artists hosting shows during One Village, Many Peoples Multicultural Festival featuring emcees and DJs.
• Black HumboldtminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025African diaspora art collective hosting multi-artist installation exploring Black ancestry and spirituality through visual and performance art.
• Centro del PueblominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Local organization participating in Migrations walking procession and One Village Many Peoples festival with cultural performances.
• KHHA 94.7 FMminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Community radio station for Humboldt Hot Air's bi-weekly programming, with participants creating shows on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesday of the month.
• Yurok Wellness CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative partnership for Skue-yech Son-ee-nah program combining traditional Yurok storytelling and shadow puppetry to teach social emotional learning practices to at-risk youth.
• Yurok Tribal CourtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sponsor of Skue-yech Son-ee-nah program bringing shadow puppetry and traditional storytelling to Orleans Elementary students.
• City of ArcatacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024As Arcata's Local Arts Agency, partners with City on Art Around Arcata program, Call for Arts and Culture, and public art installations. City provides $10,000-60,000 in funding for arts commissions.
• Our Space Program ParticipantscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Inclusive mobile arts program designed in collaboration with Arcata community members experiencing houselessness, providing free art supplies and workspace.
• Klamath Promise NeighborhoodminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sponsor of Skue-yech Son-ee-nah shadow puppetry program for Orleans Elementary students.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Oregon Children's Theatre: Portland-based nonprofit producing youth and family theater programming with an education focus. Directly comparable for the youth theater, summer camp, and family programming segments of Playhouse Arts' portfolio.
• Dell'Arte International: Professional theater training and performance company located in Blue Lake, CA, just miles from Playhouse Arts. Comparable in producing live performance, offering educational programs, and serving Humboldt County audiences.
• Sierra Repertory Theatre: Regional repertory theater in California's Sierra foothills producing a mix of plays, musicals, and youth programming. Comparable scale and nonprofit theater venue operator model with educational components.
• Cinnabar Arts: Petaluma, CA community theater and arts education nonprofit that produces performances, runs youth programs, and operates its own venue. Closely analogous operating model combining live performance with education.
• North Coast Repertory Theatre: Regional theater company based in Eureka, CA (Humboldt County), producing live performances and operating a venue. Most directly comparable due to shared geographic market, similar scale, and overlapping programming model.
• Ink People Center for the Arts: Eureka-based community arts nonprofit providing arts programming, artist support, and cultural services. Operates with similar mission-driven model, comparable scale, and overlapping Humboldt County geographic reach.
• Humboldt Arts Council: Regional nonprofit arts council serving Humboldt County with programming, exhibitions, and grantmaking. Overlapping geographic market and broadly similar mission supporting community arts and culture.

Broad incumbents

• California Shakespeare Theater: Established California professional theater company with broader geographic footprint and larger operating scale. Comparable theater-producer business model but operates at significantly higher tier than Playhouse Arts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ArcataPlayhouse
• Facebookfacebook.com/arcata.playhouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/playhouse.arts
• Xx.com/arcataplayhouse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/playhouse-arts

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 Playhouse Arts