Rainbow City Performing Arts

What Rainbow City Performing Arts does

Rainbow City Performing Arts (RCPA) is a Seattle-based 501(c)-eligible nonprofit founded in 1998 that operates eight LGBTQIA+ affirming musical ensembles: the Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Drumline, Color Guard (spinOUT), Reign City Riot sports pep band, and Chamber Ensembles. With a stated membership of "over 200 and growing," the organization recruits musicians who can read music through open membership and auditions, and it supports participation via instrument loans and member dues. Its purpose is to provide safe performance spaces for LGBTQIA+ musicians and to surface repertoire by marginalized, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and living composers, distinguishing it from traditional community bands.

RCPA distributes performances through a hybrid of ticketed concerts at signature venues (notably Benaroya Hall, where it is in its third season in 2025), free community performances (e.g., Third Place Commons), regional Pride parades (Seattle, Portland, Bellingham, Vancouver BC, Fremont Solstice), and sports-venue appearances through the Reign City Riot partnership with Seattle Reign FC plus Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Pride Hockey events. Revenue is composed of ticket sales ($15-$29 general admission, $140 gala), annual musician membership dues, individual donations and an annual gala ($70,000 fundraising goal cited), grants (e.g., 4culture supporting free public access, ArtsFund, Pride Foundation), and event sponsorships (e.g., Rough & Tumble Pub, King County Library System Foundation). Operational technology is limited to standard nonprofit SaaS: Bloomerang for donor/member CRM, Brown Paper Tickets for ticketing, and iGive for affiliate fundraising.

In 2024 RCPA transitioned from a volunteer-led organization to a structured business model with paid operational staff, introduced a new Empowerment Board governance structure, and began its community-centered fundraising pivot. In January 2025 it established the Rainbow City Endowment Fund in partnership with the Jon Sims Endowment Fund for the Arts to support long-term sustainability. Leadership includes Damien Hall as Executive Director, Timothy V. Norris Jr. as Artistic Director (Concert Band and Jazz Band), Dr. Christopher T.F. Hanson as Artistic Director (Orchestra and Jazz Band), Erin Howard as Assistant Director of the Concert Band, and Stephen Kennedy as Ensemble Director (Jazz Band).

Name

Rainbow City Performing Arts

Legal name

Rainbow City Performing Arts

Website

https://rainbowcity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rainbow City Performing Arts is a Seattle-based 501(c) nonprofit founded in 1998 that operates eight LGBTQIA+-affirming musical ensembles for over 200 members, performing at Benaroya Hall, regional Pride parades, and sports venues while funding operations through tickets, dues, donations, grants, and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Performing Arts

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

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

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Community Pride & Identity Events (Pride, Cultural Identity Days) (MPAGAEAL), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

Keywords

• LGBTQIA+ performing arts
• Community music ensembles
• Concert band performances
• Pride event entertainment
• Live music organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

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: Rainbow City generates revenue through ticket sales for concerts and performances at venues including Benaroya Hall. General attendance seating with discounts for youth and seniors is offered. Tickets are sold directly through their website and at the door.
2. Membership Dues: Musicians pay membership dues to participate in ensembles. Refunds are available if cancelled more than 2 weeks from the term's first performance.
3. Donations and Fundraising: The organization accepts tax-deductible donations and holds fundraising events including annual galas, the Rainbow Ball, and participates in GiveBIG campaigns through the Seattle Foundation.
4. Grants: Rainbow City receives grant funding from organizations like 4culture to support free public access to performances and operational expenses.
5. Event Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors and partners support specific events and ensembles in exchange for recognition and visibility at performances.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Rainbow City Performing Arts is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that organizes and operates LGBTQIA+ focused musical ensembles performing at community events, concerts, and pride parades. The organization runs eight performing ensembles including concert band, orchestra, jazz band, marching band, color guard, drumline, sports pep band (Reign City Riot), and chamber ensembles. It sells concert tickets, accepts memberships from musicians, and generates revenue through donations and grants.

Product overview

Rainbow City Performing Arts is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of eight performing ensembles and related programs for LGBTQIA+ musicians and allies. The core offerings include the Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Reign City Riot sports pep band, Color Guard, Drumline, and Chamber Ensembles. Supporting programs include membership opportunities, event ticketing with free access initiatives, volunteer programs, donor/fundraising initiatives, and ensemble booking services. The organization operates as a single unified performing arts organization rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rainbow City Concert Band: The cornerstone ensemble of RCPA, a wind and percussion concert band open to musicians who can read music regardless of skill level. Focuses on music by marginalized and diverse composers.
• Rainbow City Orchestra
• Rainbow City Jazz Band
• Rainbow City Marching Band
• Rainbow City Color Guard (spinOUT)
• Rainbow City Drumline
• Reign City Riot
• Chamber Ensembles
• Silver Circle Program

Products and services

• Rainbow City Concert Band Flagship wind and percussion concert band performing works by marginalized and diverse composers, open to musicians who can read music regardless of skill level. Aimed at LGBTQIA+ musicians and allies seeking inclusive performance opportunities.
• Rainbow City Orchestra Full string orchestra performing classical and contemporary orchestral repertoire. Available to audiences through ticketed concerts and community performances.
• Rainbow City Jazz Band Jazz ensemble performing swing and big band standards from the 1930s to present, featuring vocalists and dancers. Open to musicians who read music.
• Rainbow City Marching Band Parade and outdoor performance ensemble performing upbeat tunes with colorful costumes and flags, including strings in addition to traditional wind and percussion. Performs at Seattle-area pride parades and community events.
• Reign City Riot Premier sports pep band for Seattle Reign FC, performing at home matches, pride games, and community events. Known for performances at Lumen Field and Seattle Pride Hockey Association events.
• Rainbow City Color Guard (spinOUT) Color guard ensemble spinning flags, sabres, and airblades, performing at parades and indoor winter guard competitions. Open to members from experienced to novice skill levels.
• Rainbow City Drumline

Quantifiable outcome

• Reign City Riot reached 200,000 fans through performances
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• STANCE (Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2025Collaboration on Voices of Change concert at Benaroya Hall. STANCE performed as part of Ralph Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music with Rainbow City Orchestra. STANCE is a community choir dedicated to artistic excellence and affirming community for trans and nonbinary singers in the Pacific Northwest.
• Puget Sound WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2025First-time collaboration on Voices of Change concert. Puget Sound Works performed with Rainbow City Orchestra for Ralph Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music. A community choir dedicated to providing a vocal community free of gendered expectations for Transgender and Nonbinary singers.
• Level Up! Vocal Ensemble (LU!VE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2025Special collaboration on Side Quests concert featuring video game music. LU!VE performed Sogno di Volare with Rainbow City ensembles. Seattle community choir that sings video game music and promotes video game music through public performance.
• 4culturecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides grants supporting free public access tickets to Rainbow City performances. Free access tickets for teachers, students, nonprofits, and their clients are provided thanks to this partnership. Also sponsors Voices of Change concert.
• Pride Bands AlliancecoreOthersRainbow City is a proud member of the Pride Bands Alliance, connecting with LGBTQIA+ bands across the nation.
• Rough & Tumble PubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnsemble Sponsor providing financial support for Rainbow City ensembles.
• The Friends of Seattle Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Action! concert at Benaroya Hall.
• King County Library System FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Rainbow City performances.
• Seattle Reign FCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Reign City Riot ensemble which serves as the official sports pep band for Seattle Reign FC, performing at home matches and Pride games.
• NWAPA (Northwest Association for Performing Arts)minorOthersRegional performing arts association connecting arts organizations in the Pacific Northwest.
• 501 CommonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizes GiveBIG Washington campaign which Rainbow City participates in for fundraising.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Seattle Pro Musica: Seattle-based nonprofit choral ensemble with comparable ticketed concert programming at Benaroya Hall, paid artistic direction, and donor/grant funding model, but with broader classical repertoire rather than LGBTQIA+ focus.
• Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras: Seattle-based nonprofit youth orchestra with comparable membership-driven ensemble model, ticketed concert programming, grant funding, and instrument loan programs relevant to RCPA's orchestra ensemble.

Direct peers

• Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus: Long-running LGBTQIA+ community chorus sharing RCPA's mission of music-driven LGBTQIA+ visibility, nonprofit funding model, and performance partnership with regional Pride events.
• New York City Gay Men's Chorus: LGBTQIA+ performing arts nonprofit with similar mission of community visibility through choral/ensemble performance, comparable fundraising and ticketing model, but operating at substantially larger scale in a major metro.
• Windy City Gay Chorus: Chicago-based LGBTQIA+ community chorus with comparable nonprofit performing arts model, Pride event participation, and ticket-based concert programming serving a similar LGBTQIA+ affirming community.
• Heartland Men's Chorus: Kansas City-based LGBTQIA+ choral nonprofit comparable in mission, nonprofit structure, ticket-driven concert programming, and Pride community engagement, though operating in a smaller metro.
• San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus: One of the largest LGBTQIA+ choral ensembles in the world, comparable to RCPA in mission (visibility/equity through music), nonprofit performing arts model, community membership base, and ticketed concert programming, but at much larger scale.
• One Voice Mixed Chorus: Minneapolis-based LGBTQIA+ and allied community chorus with a comparable nonprofit performing arts model, mission of LGBTQIA+ visibility through music, ticketed concerts, and community partnerships, making it a strong regional peer.
• Seattle Men's Chorus (Spectrum): Seattle-based LGBTQIA+ choral organization and likely most directly comparable peer given shared city, mission focus on LGBTQIA+ visibility, nonprofit performing arts model, ticketed concert programming at major venues, and overlapping member/audience base.

Others

• Pride Bands Alliance: National network of LGBTQIA+ concert and marching bands of which RCPA is a member. Comparable as an ecosystem peer and indicator of national reach potential for RCPA's programming and touring model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rainbowcityperformingarts
• Facebookfacebook.com/RainbowCityPerformingArts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rainbow-city-performing-arts
• Instagraminstagram.com/rainbowcityperformingarts
• TikToktiktok.com/@rainbowcity.org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Rainbow City Performing Arts