Clay Art Center
Clay Art Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ceramics education organization founded in 1957 in Port Chester, NY, serving adult learners, youth and families, veterans, and emerging ceramic artists through classes, residencies, exhibitions, community programs, and a retail shop.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1957
- HeadquartersPort Chester, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Clay Art Center does
Clay Art Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ceramics education and community arts organization headquartered at 40 Beech Street in Port Chester, New York, founded in 1957 by ceramicist Katherine Choy and Henry Okamoto. The organization has operated continuously for 68+ years and formally became a nonprofit in 2007. Its core technology and physical infrastructure consist of pottery wheels, wood-fired and gas-fired kilns, glaze chemistry facilities, and teaching studios located in a single building that also houses a gallery and retail shop. The organization is led by Executive Director Emily Peck (appointed 2019) with a small staff of approximately 1-10 employees spanning development, exhibitions and marketing, programs, studio operations, and community arts.
The Center delivers a diversified portfolio of programs organized around three pillars: education (weekly adult and youth classes, summer camps for ages 7-15, after-school programs for teens, one-time classes, private classes, workshops and special topics, independent study, open studio, and guided tours); artist development (a nationally recognized Artist-in-Residence program launched in 1998, the Rittenberg residency, and a Westchester Community Foundation fellowship for ceramic artists); and public engagement (rotating gallery exhibitions, a retail shop, community arts programs including free afterschool clay programming for Port Chester public school students, and the G.I. Throw veterans program). Its customer base spans adult ceramics enthusiasts, youth and families, U.S. veterans, emerging and professional ceramics artists, and community organizations.
Clay Art Center generates revenue across five streams: class and workshop fees (subscription-style weekly classes plus one-time workshops and private lessons), shop sales of handmade contemporary ceramics priced $30-$1,700+, annual memberships providing open studio access, donations and grants from foundations and government sources (ArtsWestchester, NYSCA, Westchester Community Foundation, TD Bank corporate sponsorship), and fundraising events including the Hand in Hand benefit auction and Empty Bowls hunger-relief fundraiser. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on local Westchester County catchment supplemented by New York City visitors via Metro-North rail access, with marketing executed through a Squarespace website, Instagram (@clayartcenter), the Clay Dish Blog, email newsletter, and earned media coverage. Distribution combines on-site programming, a physical gallery/shop, an online e-commerce store, and cultural tourism partnerships. The organization has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, no funding rounds, no M&A activity, and operates as a private nonprofit without venture capital backing.
Clay Art Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clay Art Center
- Legal name
- Clay Art Center
- Website
- https://clayartcenter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1957
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Clay Art Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ceramics education organization founded in 1957 in Port Chester, NY, serving adult learners, youth and families, veterans, and emerging ceramic artists through classes, residencies, exhibitions, community programs, and a retail shop.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clay Art Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ceramics Education
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161), Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing (32711), Art Dealers (459920)
- SIC
- Pottery & Related Products (3260)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture) (EDAMAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture) (THAJAKAA), Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA), Charter Arts & Performing Arts Schools (EDAJACAH)
Keywords
Where Clay Art Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Port Chester
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Clay Art Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Class and Workshop Fees: Revenue from weekly adult and youth classes, summer camps, one-time classes, workshops, private classes, and independent study programs
- Shop Sales: Sales of handmade contemporary ceramics and pottery by resident artists, studio artists, and artists-in-residence through the on-site gallery shop and online store
- Memberships: Annual membership program providing access to open studio time and member benefits
- Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants from ArtsWestchester, NYSCA, Westchester Community Foundation, and government funding
- Fundraising Events: Annual benefit auctions including Hand in Hand and Empty Bowls fundraiser supporting hunger relief
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Weekly Classes - Adult & Youth |
| One time/ perpetual license | — | Summer Camps |
| One time/ perpetual license | — | Workshops and Special Topics |
| Unit Pricing | — | One-Time Classes |
| Unit Pricing | — | Private Classes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Shop Merchandise - Drinking Vessels |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Clay Art Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clay Art Center is a nonprofit ceramics education and community arts organization that delivers ceramics instruction through weekly classes, workshops, summer camps, after-school programs, and one-time and private classes for adults, youth, and families. It also operates a nationally recognized Artist-in-Residence program, an exhibition gallery, community outreach initiatives, and a retail shop selling handmade contemporary ceramics by local, regional, and national artists.
Product overview
Clay Art Center is a nonprofit ceramics education and community arts organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs centered on clay and ceramic arts. The core offerings include educational programming (weekly classes, one-time classes, workshops, summer camps, after school programs), artist development opportunities (artist residencies, fellowships, artist member program), public engagement (gallery exhibitions, guided tours, community arts programs), and retail operations (the Shop selling handmade ceramics). The organization operates as a unified ceramics center rather than a technology platform, with all programs supporting the mission of education, creativity, and community engagement through clay.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Weekly Classes
Companies that use Clay Art Center
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Clay Art Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Clay Art Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered supporting.
- Flinn GallerysupportingCultural partner in the conneCT-NY culture trip initiative, linking Clay Art Center with Flinn Gallery and Greenwich Historical Society for a shared cultural experience.
- Greenwich Historical SocietysupportingCultural partner in the conneCT-NY culture trip initiative, collaborating on artistic expression and historical context programming.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Clay Art Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center: New Jersey-based nonprofit cultural center with a Museum of American Glass and ceramics programming including classes, residencies, and a retail gallery; broader scope than CAC but overlapping in education + retail model for ceramics.
Direct peers
- The Clay Studio: Philadelphia-based nonprofit ceramics center offering classes, residencies, exhibitions, and a gallery shop across wheel-throwing, handbuilding, and glaze programs; the closest direct comp in mission, scale, and programming model.
- Archie Bray Foundation: Montana-based nonprofit clay-focused residency and education center; comparable as a mission-driven ceramics organization supporting working artists with residencies and gallery exhibitions.
- Haystack Mountain School of Crafts: Maine-based nonprofit craft school offering workshops, residencies, and a gallery program across ceramics and other media; comparable as a nationally recognized craft education nonprofit.
- GoggleWorks Center for the Arts: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit arts center combining classes, studio space, artist residencies, gallery exhibitions, and retail; comparable multi-discipline nonprofit arts education + retail hybrid.
- Penland School of Craft: North Carolina-based nonprofit craft education organization offering ceramics residencies, workshops, and gallery programming; comparable as a nationally recognized craft school with residencies, classes, and exhibitions.
- Houston Center for Contemporary Craft: Nonprofit craft education center offering residencies, classes, exhibitions, and a retail gallery focused on clay and other craft media; directly comparable in non-degree arts education + studio residency + retail shop model.
- Greenwich House Pottery: NYC-based nonprofit ceramics education program inside Greenwich House, offering classes, open studio, and a working artist community — directly comparable as a Northeast ceramics education nonprofit serving similar demographics.
- Peters Valley School of Craft: New Jersey-based nonprofit craft education center offering ceramics workshops, residencies, and gallery programming; comparable as a Northeast craft school with similar workshop/residency model.
Emerging players
- Claymakers NC: North Carolina ceramics studio offering classes, memberships, and a gallery; comparable as a smaller-scale ceramics education + studio access model, though smaller and more recently established than CAC.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Clay Art Center social profiles
Digital presenceClay Art Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clay Art Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Clay Art Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clay Art Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clay Art Center
What does Clay Art Center do?
Clay Art Center is a nonprofit ceramics education and community arts organization that delivers ceramics instruction through weekly classes, workshops, summer camps, after-school programs, and one-time and private classes for adults, youth, and families. It also operates a nationally recognized Artist-in-Residence program, an exhibition gallery, community outreach initiatives, and a retail shop selling handmade contemporary ceramics by local, regional, and national artists.
Is Clay Art Center a public or private company?
Clay Art Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Clay Art Center founded?
Clay Art Center was founded in 1957. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Clay Art Center based?
Clay Art Center is headquartered in Port Chester, United States, in the North America region.
How does Clay Art Center make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Class and Workshop Fees are the primary driver. The others are shop Sales, memberships, donations and Grants and fundraising Events.
Who are Clay Art Center's main competitors?
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are The Clay Studio, Archie Bray Foundation, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Penland School of Craft, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Greenwich House Pottery and Peters Valley School of Craft. Claymakers NC is listed as an emerging player.
Does Clay Art Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clay Art Center.
What industry is Clay Art Center in?
Clay Art Center's product category is Ceramics Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAAAA, Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture), with a secondary code of THAJAKAA, Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture). Its NAICS code is 61161 and its SIC code is 3260.