3S Artspace

What 3S Artspace does

3S Artspace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary arts organization founded in 2015 and headquartered at 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The organization operates a single mixed-use venue that combines a Main Gallery and Lobby Gallery for rotating exhibitions with a Performance Space for live music, comedy, film screenings, and dance, plus an on-site restaurant (Barrio). Its programming model is community-led: events are ticketed through Eventbrite, artist proposals are received through Submittable, and audiences are cultivated through email newsletters, social media, and partnerships with local media including New Hampshire Public Radio.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack with seven distinct streams: ticket sales ($15-35 general admission, with $2-5 member discounts), space rental (Rent 3S for weddings, corporate events, and nonprofit fundraisers), annual membership dues, gallery retail through Shop at 3S (both online and in-venue), multi-tier corporate sponsorships (Gold/Silver/Bronze plus event-specific sponsors), grants from institutional funders (NEA, NH State Council on the Arts, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Horizon Foundation, Little Bay Fund), and individual donations. The annual Project Upcycle sustainable fashion runway event is the organization's largest fundraiser, with VIP tickets priced at $100-$125. Signature programs include Project Upcycle (year 7), Long Story Short storytelling series (year 10), Form + Function artisan fair (year 6/7), and the Loading Dock Concert Series.

The customer base is fragmented across individual ticket-buyers in the Seacoast region, arts sponsors and grants, and rental clients. The organization competes on community embeddedness rather than scale, leveraging deep volunteer and sponsor networks (AC Hotel, The Brook, Kane/Tidemark, Sheraton Portsmouth, among others) and a 10-year programming track record. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and there is no headcount or financial reporting in the public record.

Name

3S Artspace

Legal name

3S Artspace

Website

https://3sarts.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

3S Artspace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary arts organization in Portsmouth, NH, operating a gallery, performance space, and retail shop serving the Seacoast community through exhibitions, live events, workshops, and venue rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contemporary Arts Venue and Cultural Center

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH), Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE)

Keywords

• Contemporary art exhibitions
• Live performance venue
• Art gallery space
• Artist grant programs
• Event venue rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Portsmouth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from concerts, performances, workshops, and film screenings. Ticket prices vary by event with member discounts ranging from $2-5 off general admission.
2. Space Rental: Rent 3S program for weddings, parties, meetings, and corporate events. Community Use Grant program waives rental fees for NH nonprofit organizations.
3. Membership Dues: Annual membership program providing priority ticket access, member pricing on events, and year-round connection to 3S.
4. Art Sales and Commission: Gallery sales through Shop at 3S, with commission on artwork sales and artisan fair participation.
5. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorships at Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels. Project Upcycle has presenting sponsors, sustainability sponsors, and category sponsors.
6. Donations and Grants: Donations from individual supporters, plus grant support from New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and other foundations.
7. Project Upcycle Fundraiser: Annual sustainable fashion runway event is described as the biggest fundraiser for 3S Artspace year after year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

3S Artspace operates a 501(c)(3) nonprofit mixed-use arts venue in Portsmouth, NH, presenting contemporary art exhibitions in its Main Gallery and Lobby Gallery, hosting live performances, film screenings, comedy, and storytelling events in its Performance Space, and selling regional artwork through Shop at 3S. The organization also rents its space for private and corporate events, runs membership and sponsorship programs, and produces signature annual events including Project Upcycle (sustainable fashion runway), Long Story Short (storytelling), Form + Function artisan fair, and YART Sale.

Product overview

3S Artspace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary arts organization in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, operating a multi-purpose arts venue. The organization provides a unified offering centered on exhibition gallery spaces (Main Gallery and Lobby Gallery) and a Performance Space for live events, supplemented by retail operations through Shop at 3S and venue rental services. Signature programming includes Project Upcycle (sustainable fashion competition), the Form + Function Artisan Fair, YART Sale, Long Story Short storytelling series, and Loading Dock Concert Series. The venue also offers workshops in visual and performing arts, community use grants for nonprofits, and artist proposal programs through Submittable. The organization does not offer technology or software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project Upcycle: Annual sustainable fashion design competition and Runway Event produced by 3S Artspace in partnership with Recovergirl, promoting regional designers and sustainable fashion in New England.
• Long Story Short
• Form + Function

Products and services

• Main Gallery Exhibitions Primary exhibition space at 3S Artspace featuring rotating contemporary art exhibitions from local, regional, and national artists, including the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Artist Advancement Grant exhibit series.
• Lobby Gallery Exhibitions Secondary gallery space adjacent to the Main Gallery showcasing additional exhibitions and installations during gallery hours.
• Performance Space Events Versatile venue hosting live music, concerts, comedy, dance, film screenings, and storytelling performances ticketed through Eventbrite.
• Shop at 3S Online and in-person retail store selling artwork, handmade goods, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and artisanal products from regional makers; 3S earns commission on artwork sales.
• Project Upcycle Annual sustainable fashion design competition and runway event produced in partnership with Recovergirl, challenging emerging designers to create runway looks from secondhand and surplus materials; $5,000 first prize; described as 3S Artspace's biggest annual fundraiser.
• Long Story Short Storytelling Series Storytelling event series featuring six storytellers sharing personal narratives based on a themed show, with an open mic slot for audience volunteers; broadcast on New Hampshire Public Radio.
• Form + Function Artisan Fair Annual curated maker fair showcasing regional artisans during the holiday shopping season, featuring handcrafted goods including textiles, housewares, jewelry, metalwork, and ceramics; free to attend.
• YART Sale Annual art sale event where visual artists discount their 2D and 3D work, with 3S reducing its commission to make art more accessible.
• Loading Dock Concert Series Recurring outdoor concert series held at the loading dock area of the venue, featuring local and regional musical artists.
• Club 3S Recurring live music event series featuring band performances at the venue.
• Community Workshops Educational workshops in visual arts and performing arts taught by artists, arts educators, and community producers, covering topics such as Tarot 101, mixed media, and creative drop-ins.
• Community Use Grant Program Annual grant program selecting six New Hampshire nonprofit organizations to host fundraisers, training, or outreach events in the Performance Space, waiving room rental fees.
• Venue Rental (Rent 3S) Rental of the 3S venue space for private events including weddings, parties, corporate events, meetings, and awards ceremonies; Community Use Grant waives fees for selected NH nonprofits.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership program providing priority ticket access, member pricing discounts on events ($2–$5 off), and year-round engagement with 3S Artspace.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 participants at PortSwap clothing swap event in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• Recovergirl (Jennifer Moore)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-founder of Project Upcycle sustainable fashion competition. Recovergirl curates the exhibition Backstitch featuring past Project Upcycle designers and judges, exploring sustainable fashion and circular design.
• New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (NHCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHCF Artist Advancement Grant program provides financial support to Seacoast-area visual artists or craftspersons to promote artistic growth. Exhibit runs June 4 - July 26.
• New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong Story Short events are broadcast on NHPR as part of the 'NHPR Presents' series, bringing storytelling events to radio audiences statewide.
• Long Story ShortcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner10th anniversary storytelling series partnership. 3S Artspace hosts Long Story Short events with creator/host Beth LaMontagne, with proceeds benefiting 3S and NHPR.
• Lead Sponsors (AC Hotel, The Brook, Kane/Tidemark, Katzman Contemporary, MacEdge, Raka, Sheraton)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerYear-round lead sponsors providing ongoing financial and promotional support for 3S Artspace programming and events.
• Project Upcycle SponsorsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor: Apparel Impact. Sustainability Sponsors: Service Credit Union, Springer's Jewelers, Winter Holben, Sheraton Portsmouth, Wentworth By The Sea. Additional category sponsors for runway and upcycle.
• New Hampshire Film FestivalmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRental partner hosting multi-day film festival at 3S Artspace venue, including shorts blocks, feature films, and comedy panel.
• Seacoast Stories PodcastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPodcast hosted by Troy Farkas featuring Seacoast business and community stories. Live podcast events hosted at 3S Artspace.
• PMAC (Portsmouth Music and Arts Center)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner3S hosts PMAC Teen Rock, Jazz, and Blues concerts as well as PMAC Adult Rock & Blues shows, supporting music education.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Portland Stage Company: Longevity-focused regional professional theater in Portland, Maine, presenting a season of plays and events. Comparable operating model and New England regional audience, though slightly different scale and geography.
• Ogunquit Playhouse: Historic regional theater on the southern Maine coast producing musicals and plays. Comparable as a New England performing arts venue with seasonal programming and similar funding/sponsorship dynamics.

Broad incumbents

• MASS MoCA: Large contemporary art museum and performing arts venue in North Adams, MA. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary contemporary arts institution combining gallery exhibitions, performance programming, and event rentals, though at much larger scale.
• Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston: Contemporary art museum in Boston presenting rotating exhibitions, performances, and public programs. Comparable as a contemporary arts presenter with similar curatorial philosophy, though operating at a significantly larger scale and budget.
• The Colonial Theatre (Boston): Restored historic theater in Boston hosting live performances, concerts, and Broadway-style productions. Comparable as a performing arts venue that combines ticketed programming with venue rental, though at a substantially larger market scale.

Others

• New Hampshire State Council on the Arts: State-level public arts funder providing grants to New Hampshire-based arts organizations. Comparable as an institutional funding partner that supports 3S Artspace's programming, and as a benchmark for state-level arts funding dynamics.
• New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA): Regional funder and grantmaker supporting arts organizations across New England. Comparable as a key counterparty relationship — a major source of grant funding for community performing arts centers like 3S Artspace.

Direct peers

• The Players' Ring: Small community theater in Portsmouth, NH producing original and independent works. Comparable as a grassroots performing arts venue targeting overlapping Seacoast audiences and community members.
• The Music Hall: Historic performing arts venue in downtown Portsmouth, NH presenting concerts, films, and live events. Direct competitor for the same Seacoast audience, sponsors, and corporate event rentals.
• Seacoast Repertory Theatre: Portsmouth, NH-based nonprofit professional theater company producing plays and musicals. Comparable as a community-rooted performing arts nonprofit competing for the same local audience, grant funding, and sponsorship dollars.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/3SArts
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@3SArtspace
• Facebookfacebook.com/3SArtspace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3s-artspace
• Instagraminstagram.com/3sarts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 3S Artspace