Black Arts Mke, Inc.

What Black Arts Mke, Inc. does

Black Arts MKE, Inc. is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 2014 to increase the availability and quality of African American arts and culture in southeastern Wisconsin. The organization operates as both a producer and presenter, anchored by a Resident Group position at the Marcus Performing Arts Center (headquartered at 929 North Water Street) and operating across multiple Milwaukee venues including Marquette University, the Wisconsin Black Historical Society & Museum, and community sites such as The Table at Alice's Garden. Its programming spans annual theatrical productions (Black Nativity by Langston Hughes running 9+ years, and the MKE Black Theatre Festival), in-school arts residencies and student matinees, the I AM. Youth Performing Arts Summer Camp, the I AM. Masterclass series, and a Career Development internship program operated in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.

The organization supports a roster of 125+ local artists of color (paying $273K in 1099 wages in 2023) through two resident companies, Bronzeville Arts Ensemble (founded 2013) and Nobleman Theater Troupe, plus individual playwrights, musicians, dancers, and teaching artists. Programming reaches 15,000+ youth and families annually across 11 MKE Aldermanic districts and 14 zip codes, delivers 5,000+ hours of arts education and outreach, and serves 3,000+ students through free Black Nativity matinees annually. Educational partners include Milwaukee Public Schools (with after-school residencies and the MPS Black & Latino Male Achievement youth program), Montessori schools, MKE REC, and Bright Star Touring Theatre.

Revenue is grant- and donation-driven rather than commercial, with a three-year average operating budget of $709.8K. The funding mix is approximately 42% foundation grants, 29-31% corporate sponsorships, 16-18% government grants, and 9-13% individual donations. Anchor supporters include Bader Philanthropies, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, We Energies Foundation, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Johnson Controls, the Herzfeld Foundation, and the Harri Hoffman Family Foundation. Recent national-level grants include $150K from The Black Seed (2021), $100K from the NEA American Rescue Plan (2022), a TCG THRIVE! RESPOND grant (2022), and $50K from the Ruth Foundation for the Arts (2023). The organization is also a UPAF Member Group since 2020. A 2024 partnership with developer FIT Investment Group will add a dedicated 175-seat black box theater through the Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub development, representing the organization's first major capital expansion.

Name

Black Arts Mke, Inc.

Legal name

Black Arts MKE, Inc.

Website

https://blackartsmke.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Black Arts MKE, Inc. is a Milwaukee 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that produces African American theater, youth arts education, and community outreach programs serving 15,000+ youth and families annually, with grant-funded operating budget averaging $709.8K.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Services

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Performing Arts Camps (Theater, Musical Theater, Dance) (EDAMALAI), Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE), Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater) (EDAAAGAE)

Keywords

• Performing arts production
• Arts education programs
• Community theater
• Youth arts outreach
• Culturally relevant programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

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, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: Primary funding source representing 42% of revenue. Includes grants from organizations like Bader Philanthropies, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Herzfeld Foundation, Harri Hoffman Family Foundation, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, and The Black Seed national initiative.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate funding represents 29-31% of revenue. Includes support from companies like Harley-Davidson Motor Company, We Energies Foundation, Johnson Controls, and others.
3. Government Funding: Government grants represent 16-18% of revenue. Includes NEA American Rescue Plan grants and other public funding.
4. Individual Donations: Individual donor contributions represent 9-13% of revenue. Includes major donor support from individuals like Cory L. and Michelle S. Nettles, Jacqueline and Michael Barber, Steven and Sarah Zimmerman, and Astor Street Foundation.
5. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticketed performances including full-production plays and the annual Black Nativity holiday show. Student matinees are provided free of charge.
6. UPAF Membership: United Performing Arts Fund membership provides annual grant support as a member organization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Black Arts MKE produces and presents theatrical works centered on the African American experience and operates youth arts education and community outreach programs. The organization mounts annual productions such as Black Nativity and the MKE Black Theatre Festival, supports resident theater companies (Bronzeville Arts Ensemble and Nobleman Theater Troupe), and delivers after-school residencies, summer camps, masterclasses, and career development programs to youth in underserved Milwaukee neighborhoods.

Product overview

Black Arts MKE is a nonprofit performing arts organization offering a platform of culturally relevant arts programming. The core offerings include annual theatrical productions (Black Nativity, MKE Black Theatre Festival), youth education programs (I AM. Youth Performing Arts Summer Camp, I AM. Masterclass, Career Development Program), and resident theater groups (Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, Nobleman Theater Troupe). The organization serves youth and families through outreach programs, performing arts residencies in schools, and career development opportunities. These programs work together to increase availability and quality of African American arts and culture while providing employment and visibility for artists of color.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MKE Black Theatre Festival: Annual celebration of Black arts and culture featuring full productions, staged readings, youth events, and masterclasses across Milwaukee venues
• Nobleman Theater Troupe
• I AM. Youth Performing Arts Summer Camp
• I AM. Masterclass
• Black Nativity

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000+ youth and families served annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• FIT Investment GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Developer Michael Adetora of FIT Investment Group is developing the Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub, a mixed-use complex including a two-story black box theater for Black Arts MKE with capacity for up to 175 people. This represents a major expansion of the organization's physical presence.
• Wisconsin Conservatory of MusicminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner tenant in the proposed Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub development, filling commercial space alongside Black Arts MKE to grow business, technical, and artistic skills of youth and adults.
• Beyond STEMminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner tenant in the proposed Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub development, intended to grow youth and adult skills in business, technical, and artistic areas.
• 2112minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Chicago-based operator of arts-centric coworking spaces partnering with Black Arts MKE in the Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub development.
• Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Epsilon Kappa Omega ChaptermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaboration on I AM. Masterclass series exposing local youth to professional performing artists. Sponsored a week-long dance masterclass with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater principal dancer James Gilmer. 100 local MPS students attended the Alvin Ailey performance at Marcus Center.
• United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020UPAF is a regional arts funding organization. Black Arts MKE was approved as a Member Group in 2020, joining 13 other premiere performing arts organizations. Previously received annual grants through the Affiliate Program since 2014. UPAF provides marketing support, funding, and promotion for member organizations.
• Marcus Performing Arts CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Black Arts MKE is a Resident Group at Marcus Performing Arts Center, headquartered at 929 North Water Street. The organization presents productions in Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Todd Wehr Theater, Studio 4A, and Peck Pavilion. This partnership provides prime venue access and institutional legitimacy.
• Milwaukee Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor educational partner for after-school arts residencies and student matinee performances. Over 1,000 elementary and middle school students attend free Black Nativity performances annually through MPS partnerships.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater MilwaukeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing summer internship opportunities for talented young artists and future business professionals. Youth earn wages while gaining resume-worthy experience.
• Wisconsin Black Historical Society & MuseumminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for MKE Black Theatre Festival events and performances, including the upcoming Vel & Groppi production.
• Marquette UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity venue partner for MKE Black Theatre Festival performances and events.
• The Table at Alice's GardenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity venue partner for MKE Black Theatre Festival Youth and Family Night events.
• Bright Star Touring TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic youth-serving program partner listed on outreach partnerships page.
• MKE REC (Milwaukee Recreation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Arts and Humanities, supporting youth programming and performing arts initiatives.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• National Black Theatre: NYC-based nonprofit theater dedicated to producing theater by and about the Black experience, with a parallel mission of artist development and community engagement. Most direct mission and operating model peer to Black Arts MKE.
• ETA Creative Arts Foundation: Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the African diaspora through theater and the performing arts. Comparable mid-size Black-focused performing arts organization with educational programming.
• Junebug Productions: New Orleans-based nonprofit rooted in the Free Southern Theater tradition, producing theater that addresses African American experience and providing artist development. Similar combination of professional productions and community-rooted programs.
• Penumbra Theatre Company: St. Paul, MN nonprofit theater company with a 45+ year history of producing work illuminating the Black American experience, including strong youth and community programming. Highly comparable mission and Midwest operating context.
• Congo Square Theatre Company: Chicago-based nonprofit theater dedicated to producing work that speaks to the African American experience. Comparable scale and mission; peer in the regional Black theater ecosystem.

Regional players

• First Stage: Milwaukee-based nonprofit children's theater and academy serving youth through productions, classes, and outreach. Strong overlap on youth performing arts education mission within the same local market.
• Milwaukee Repertory Theater: Milwaukee's largest nonprofit regional theater, also producing at the Marcus Performing Arts Center complex. Largest local peer for both audience and donor overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Chicago-based nonprofit regional theater with deep commitment to diverse voices and new work development. Broad incumbent peer in the regional nonprofit theater space.
• Alliance Theatre: Atlanta-based major regional theater with national reach and extensive education programming. Comparable focus on community-rooted programming and artist development at larger scale.
• Goodman Theatre: Chicago-based major nonprofit regional theater with educational and community engagement programming. Larger established peer with overlapping education/outreach mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=ZAVPO0dL8sc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/black-arts-think-tank
• Facebookfacebook.com/BlackArtsMKE
• Instagraminstagram.com/blackartsmke

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Black Arts Mke, Inc.