Smalltown Society

What Smalltown Society does

Smalltown Society is a non-profit artist collective based in Castro Valley, California, operating a multi-venue creative campus that serves the East Bay arts community. The organization's core facilities are The Clinic, a rehearsal and creative-production studio, and The Chabot Theater, a cinema and performance venue acquired in 2019. Programming spans live music, comedy, film screenings, creative workshops, and community events, with an online zine extending the collective's reach beyond its physical venues.

The collective has broadened its offering through The LAB — a set of structured creative-development tracks covering Video, Audio, and Ideas — and through partnerships with adjacent venues including Spats Berkeley and Prana Yoga, which extend programming beyond the Castro Valley campus. A membership program sits alongside ticketed events, creating a recurring-revenue layer on top of per-event participation. SF Chronicle recognition in 2025 and a published programming calendar extending into 2026 indicate growing regional visibility and forward planning depth.

Revenue mechanics are conventional for a community arts non-profit: a mix of membership dues, event ticket sales, studio and theater space rentals, and donations. The organization operates with a small staff (1–10 employees), and no institutional grants, corporate sponsorships, or large-donor arrangements are referenced in the available data.

Name

Smalltown Society

Legal name

Smalltown Society

Website

https://smalltownsociety.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Non-profit artist collective in Castro Valley, California, operating The Clinic creative studio and The Chabot Theater to serve the East Bay arts community through live music, comedy, film, workshops, and The LAB programming tracks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Arts Programming

NAICS

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (71399), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Nightclub & Small Live Venue Operations (Clubs, Bars with Stages) (MPAGALAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Community arts programming
• Live music events
• Creative workshop facilitation
• Community cinema operations
• Artist studio rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Castro Valley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Smalltown Society operates a membership program that provides exclusive perks including discounts at Pampas Cafe, free or discounted access to Secret Screen movie screenings at The Chabot, discounted event tickets, reduced-rate space rentals at The Clinic, and access to a members-only Discord channel. Membership drives recurring revenue while deepening community engagement.
2. Event ticketing: The organization generates revenue through ticket sales for various events including benefit concerts, album preview shows, and comedy workshops. Ticketing is managed through Eventbrite and in some cases at-the-door cash sales. Pricing varies by event type.
3. Space rental: Smalltown rents out its space (The Clinic) at a discounted member rate of $25/hour plus a $50 flat service charge, with optional recording engineer and equipment rental. Rental revenue supports operations while fulfilling the mission of providing creative infrastructure to local artists.
4. The Chabot Theater operations: In partnership with First Presbyterian Church of Hayward, Smalltown Society operates The Chabot Theater as a first-run community cinema. Revenue is generated through ticket sales (including Secret Screen membership fees, discounted student and children's tickets) and concession/food and beverage sales. All theater profits are reinvested into local art and advocacy projects.
5. Donations and crowdfunding: The organization receives community support through donations via Open Collective and other fundraising mechanisms, including benefit concert proceeds directed to charitable partners (e.g., Alameda Food Bank, Partners in Relief Development). These contributions support both operational costs and mission-aligned programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Smalltown Society is a non-profit arts collective that operates the Chabot Cinema and The Clinic creative studio while producing live music showcases, comedy programs, film screenings, and recurring creative workshops for the Bay Area community. It sells a paid membership with member perks, publishes an Online Zine, and rents its studio space to outside groups via Peerspace and partner venues.

Product overview

Smalltown Society is a non-profit community arts organization offering a portfolio of interconnected creative programs. The core offerings include The LAB (monthly open mic and featured artist series), The Chabot (historic cinema theater), The Clinic (rehearsal and creative studio), an Online Zine, and a Membership Program. Supporting programs include Writing Jam, Comedy LAB (The Uppercut), Video LAB, Audio LAB, Ideas LAB, Creative LAB, Resistance Choir, Crafter's Collective, and Space Rental services. These programs work together to provide a comprehensive creative ecosystem supporting local artists, musicians, poets, writers, comedians, and community members in the East Bay area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The LAB recurring music showcase Recurring live music showcase produced at Smalltown Society venues for Bay Area musicians and audiences, forming the programming spine of the organization's live event calendar.
• The Chabot Cinema A single-screen community cinema operated by Smalltown Society in Castro Valley, hosting film screenings, comedy showcases, and community events on a historic screen.
• The Clinic creative studio A creative studio space owned and operated by Smalltown Society that hosts rehearsals, workshops, and is available for hourly space rental to outside groups.
• Smalltown Society Membership Paid membership program that offers members perks in exchange for supporting the organization's mission of community-driven arts programming.
• Smalltown Society Online Zine An online Zine published by the organization featuring written content as part of its creative programming.
• Studio space rental Hourly rental of The Clinic creative studio to outside groups, including non-profits, available through Peerspace and partner venues.
• Creative workshop series (Writing Jam, Comedy LAB, Video LAB, Audio LAB, Ideas LAB, Creative LAB, Resistance Choir, Crafter's Collective) Recurring cohort-based creative workshops covering writing, comedy, video, audio, idea-sharing, and crafts offered to local artists and community members in Castro Valley.

Named customers18 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

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• First Presbyterian Church of HaywardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2019In June 2019, Smalltown Society partnered with First Presbyterian Church of Hayward to purchase the historic Chabot Theater in Castro Valley, CA. The partnership was formed when Smalltown leadership discovered the theater was for sale and organized a community effort to save it from alternate use. Funds were secured, the theater was purchased, and a new business began operations on June 4, 2019. All profits from theater operations are reinvested into local art and advocacy projects. The church provides the real estate partnership while Smalltown operates the theater as a community first-run cinema.
• Pampas CafecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPampas Cafe (22222 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley, CA), which shares the same address as Smalltown Society headquarters, is a member benefit partner offering 10% discounts on purchases for Smalltown members. Smalltown holds art receptions at the cafe featuring local artists, creating cross-promotional community engagement. The cafe also serves as a food/beverage amenity for Smalltown events.
• Partners in Relief DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmalltown Society partnered with Partners in Relief Development (partners.ngo) for the 'Rhythms & Resilience Benefit for the Middle East featuring The Soapbox Salute' (April 2026). The benefit created an evening of protest, support, and solidarity with communities impacted by conflict in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Proceeds from the benefit support Partners in Relief Development's relief efforts.
• ITMP VIBZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerITMP VIBZ co-presented Courtney Jean's album preview show 'Forget It - Let's Ride!' with Smalltown Society (June 2026). Proceeds of the event directly crowdfunded both the album and Smalltown Society and ITMP VIBZ operations, demonstrating a mutual co-presenting relationship.
• Prana Yoga & WellbeingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSmalltown collaborated with Prana Yoga & Wellbeing (20948 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley) for a special edition of the Writing JAM (May 3, 2026). The collaboration expanded the Writing Jam to a new venue and audience, with both organizations sharing promotion and community engagement.
• Writing One True Thing (Amy Henderson)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmy Henderson of Writing One True Thing is the recurring facilitator for the Writing JAM series. Her collaboration with Smalltown brings an established writing community audience to the events while providing a facilitation structure and creative framework. This is an ongoing programmatic partnership.
• The Ginger PocketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Ginger Pocket leads the Crafter's Collective program at Smalltown Society, hosting hands-on art nights and creative workshops. The partnership provides programming content and audience crossover between the two creative communities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The New Parish: Oakland-based small live music and community events venue with curated programming, local artist showcases, and food/beverage operations. Directly comparable as a Bay Area community venue hosting intimate live events similar to The LAB and Comedy LAB.
• 826 Valencia: San Francisco-based non-profit supporting creative writing and arts education for youth through workshops, tutoring, and publishing. Directly comparable as a Bay Area arts-education non-profit with structured creative workshops akin to Smalltown's Writing Jam, Audio LAB, and Video LAB.
• The Independent: San Francisco live music venue presenting touring and local artists across genres with a community audience. Comparable as a Bay Area live music venue whose programming model intersects with The LAB's local artist showcases.
• Roxie Theater: San Francisco-based non-profit community cinema showcasing independent, cult, and first-run films. Closely parallels The Chabot Theater as a mission-driven community cinema house operated by a non-profit with reinvested profits.
• Starline Social Club: Oakland community venue hosting live music, comedy, and creative events in a historic building. Comparable as an East Bay community venue balancing intimate live programming with cultural event hosting similar to The Clinic.
• The Bindery SF: San Francisco community arts and literary events space hosting readings, workshops, and small live events. Comparable as a Bay Area community arts space offering multi-disciplinary programming with ticketed and free events.
• Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse: Berkeley-based non-profit music venue presenting folk, roots, and global music with a community/education mission. Closely parallels Smalltown's non-profit venue model, mission-driven operations, and recurring live programming anchored by a community space.
• Grand Lake Theater: Oakland historic movie theater operating as a community cinema landmark. Comparable to The Chabot as a historic East Bay community cinema, although Grand Lake is a larger for-profit operation versus Smalltown's non-profit model.
• The Make-Out Room: San Francisco small live music venue with intimate programming, local artist showcases, and curated calendar. Comparable in scale and programming philosophy to The Clinic's live music and open-mic programming.

Others

• The Moth: Storytelling community producing live events, workshops, and digital content. Comparable thematically as a mission-driven community events organization that combines live programming, membership, and content publishing — though at much larger national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SmalltownSociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smalltown-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 Smalltown Society