SOUTH BAY ART ASSOCIATION

What SOUTH BAY ART ASSOCIATION does

South Bay Art Association (SBAA) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit visual-arts organization founded in November 1956 in Bellport, NY, serving the Long Island South Shore community. It operates as the region's longest continuously running community arts association, governed by an annually elected volunteer Board of Directors and run entirely by volunteers without any paid staff. SBAA's mission is to encourage the education, creation, and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, workshops, educational programming, and the Nita Elder Scholarship for Suffolk County high school seniors pursuing visual arts in college.

SBAA offers a portfolio of membership-based services rather than a technology product. The core offering is an annual community membership at $40/year, which grants access to the online member directory, exhibition opportunities at three satellite galleries (Brewport Coffee House in Bellport, Center Moriches Free Public Library, and The Cheese Patch in Patchogue), workshops, and event notices. Signature recurring programs include Artists on The Lane (an outdoor July 4th fine-art festival running 65+ years), the Annual Plein Air event, the Annual Members Show juried exhibition, and solo shows at satellite venues. The organization has no proprietary technology stack and runs on a standard Wix-hosted website; operational coordination is conducted via email ([email protected], [email protected]).

Revenue is generated across four streams: annual membership dues, donations (the organization explicitly cites the absence of a permanent location as limiting grant opportunities), artwork sales commissions (typically 5-20%, with the Artists on The Lane General Store splitting 75% to artists, 20% to the scholarship fund, and 5% to processing), and event/workshop registration fees. Distribution and awareness flow through the website, an email newsletter, Instagram, and deep community partnerships with Bellport Village, the Bellport Chamber of Commerce, Bellport Brookhaven Historical Society, and the Bellport Garden Club, anchoring the organization's presence in the local Bellport/Brookhaven market.

Name

SOUTH BAY ART ASSOCIATION

Legal name

South Bay Art Association

Website

https://southbayart.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

South Bay Art Association (SBAA) is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1956 in Bellport, NY, serving Long Island South Shore artists and art enthusiasts through annual membership, satellite gallery exhibitions, workshops, the July 4th Artists on The Lane festival, and the Nita Elder Scholarship for student artists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Visual Arts Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)

Keywords

• Visual arts association
• Community art exhibitions
• Artist membership programs
• Art education workshops
• Outdoor art festival

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide core operational revenue. Members receive e-newsletter, exhibition opportunities, advance event notices, and directory listing.
2. Donations: As a volunteer-driven nonprofit, SBAA relies on donations to continue its mission. The organization does not have a permanent location, limiting grant opportunities, making donations vital.
3. Artwork Sales Commission: SBAA handles sales for exhibited artwork, taking commissions (typically 5-20% depending on venue) and passing remainder to artists. The General Store at Artists on The Lane splits sales 75% artist, 20% scholarship fund, 5% processing fees.
4. Event and Workshop Fees: Registration fees for events like Plein Air ($15), workshop fees ($38-48 for member workshops), and event tickets (e.g., $35 brunch fundraiser) generate revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

South Bay Art Association is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a portfolio of visual arts services to its community on Long Island's south shore. Core offerings include an annual $40 community membership granting exhibition and directory access, signature events such as Artists on The Lane (July 4th festival), the annual Plein Air painting event, and the juried Annual Members Show, plus rotating satellite gallery exhibitions, monthly workshops, and the Nita Elder Scholarship program.

Product overview

South Bay Art Association (SBAA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit art organization founded in 1956, serving the Long Island south shore community. Rather than a technology product, SBAA offers a portfolio of membership-based artistic services centered around exhibition opportunities, community events, and educational programs. The core offerings include annual membership ($40/year) providing access to exhibitions, a member directory, and events; signature annual events including Artists on The Lane (July 4th outdoor festival), Plein Air Event, and Annual Members Show; solo and group exhibition opportunities at satellite galleries; the Nita Elder Scholarship for student artists; and monthly workshops and meetings. SBAA is entirely volunteer-run and does not have a permanent location, operating through community partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• South Bay Art Community Membership Annual membership program at $40/year that gives visual artists access to the SBAA e-newsletter, email alerts, exhibition and sales opportunities, advance event notices, a listing in the online artist directory, and access to lectures and demonstrations by local artisans and art historians. Intended for individual artists seeking exhibition venues, networking, and professional development.
• Artists on The Lane Annual outdoor fine art festival held on July 4th in Bellport Village, showcasing and selling original artwork across painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, fiber art, ceramics, jewelry, and more. One of Long Island's longest-running outdoor art festivals, serving member artists and community attendees.
• Plein Air Event Annual outdoor painting event in which artists paint en plein air across the Patchogue, Bellport, and Brookhaven areas. The event culminates in an exhibition at Bellport Day with judged awards for outstanding works, supporting member artists with sales and visibility opportunities.
• Solo Exhibition Program Solo exhibition opportunity at SBAA's Brewport Coffee House satellite gallery in Bellport, available to members in good standing for at least one year. Previous solo exhibitors may reapply every five years, giving artists extended-curation visibility.
• Satellite Gallery Exhibitions Rotating group and solo shows hosted at SBAA's three satellite galleries — Brewport Coffee House (Bellport), Center Moriches Free Public Library, and The Cheese Patch (Patchogue) — open to member artists via Calls for Art submissions. Provides consistent local exhibition access throughout the year.
• Member Directory Online directory showcasing SBAA member artists, their mediums, styles, websites, and social platforms. Serves as a discovery and referral platform for collectors, enthusiasts, and fellow artists in the community.
• Nita Elder Scholarship Annual scholarship program supporting Suffolk County high school seniors pursuing higher education in the visual arts with three $1,000 scholarships. Funded through donations and Artists on the Lane General Store volunteer sales, with additional sponsor awards from partners such as Val Biscardi and Bellport Arts & Framing Studio.
• Annual Members Show Annual juried exhibition showcasing SBAA member artwork across oil paintings, photography, acrylics, watercolor, and mixed media, featuring competitive awards including Best in Show, First/Second/Third Place, People's Choice, and Student Scholarship categories.

Quantifiable outcome

• 68 years of continuous community service since 1956
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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, secondary and minor.

• Brewport Coffee HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSatellite gallery venue in Bellport hosting member solo and group exhibitions. Provides space for 'Ordinary Magic' photography exhibition and solo shows including Tom Linden's 'Now Comes Good Sailing' and Fortunata Barone's 'Where Light Rests'. Commission split: 20% to Brewport, 5% to SBAA, 75% to artist.
• Center Moriches Free Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSatellite gallery venue hosting 'The Language of Color' exhibition (August 1-30, 2026) and future exhibitions. Library provides exhibition space and hosts closing receptions with Hampton Coffee Company as co-host.
• The Cheese PatchsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner in Patchogue hosting 'Form and Figure II' exhibition and artist receptions. Lorraine Fosmire held a solo exhibition at this location. Combines art exhibition with artisan cheese shop.
• Tranquility WithinsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner hosting 'Summer' artist reception. Provided serene setting for exhibition celebrating warm season artwork.
• Bellport Chamber of CommercesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative partner for Artists on The Lane annual event. Chamber supports the July 4th tradition and allows event to continue in Bellport Village.
• Bellport VillagesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal partner permitting use of Bellport Lane and village streets for annual Artists on The Lane July 4th festival.
• Bellport Brookhaven Historical SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative partner whose Antique and Flower Sale occurs alongside Artists on The Lane, adding to the festive atmosphere of Bellport's July 4th tradition.
• Bellport Garden ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner whose events complement Artists on The Lane during the July 4th celebration in Bellport.
• Blick Artist MaterialssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerAward sponsor for Plein Air Event. Provided awards for 4th Annual Plein Air judging. Major art supplies retailer supporting local arts community.
• South Country LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity venue used for Plein Air registration (July 11) and artwork drop-off. Library vestibule serves as central hub for the event logistics.
• Patchogue Medford LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational event venue hosting 'Plundered: The History of Art Looted & Lost During World War II' with historian Jay Schuck.
• Bellport Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary meeting venue for monthly membership meetings and workshops including wool painting, watercolor, resin, and weaving sessions. Located at 29 Bellport Lane.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Americans for the Arts: National nonprofit advocating for the arts and supporting local arts organizations through research, grants, and networking. Relevant sector-level peer for understanding the funding and policy environment SBAA operates in.
• National Art Education Association (NAEA): National professional membership association advancing visual arts education. Adjacent ecosystem participant relevant for benchmarking how community arts associations structure membership, training, and recognition programs.

Regional players

• Guild Hall of East Hampton: Long Island nonprofit arts institution combining gallery exhibitions, performance, and educational programming for visual and performing artists. Larger East End analog with similar community-arts mission.
• The Heckscher Museum of Art: Long Island art museum referenced in SBAA's leadership network (Whitney Bell serves as docent here). Comparable regional arts institution in Suffolk County with exhibitions and education programs.

Direct peers

• Huntington Arts Council: Long Island nonprofit arts council providing exhibitions, classes, scholarships, and artist support across visual arts mediums. Mirror structure to SBAA's community-led, programming-centric model.
• Islip Arts Council: Long Island-based nonprofit arts council that supports local visual artists through exhibitions, scholarships, workshops, and community events. Closely comparable regional arts-association model serving Suffolk County.
• Smithtown Township Arts Council: Suffolk County, Long Island arts council hosting exhibitions, workshops, and member programming for visual artists. Peer community nonprofit serving an adjacent geography.
• East End Arts: Community-led nonprofit arts organization on Long Island offering exhibitions, workshops, classes, and member programming for visual artists. Directly comparable mission, structure, and Long Island geographic footprint to SBAA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-bay-art-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 SOUTH BAY ART ASSOCIATION