Solas Nua

What Solas Nua does

Solas Nua is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit arts organization founded in 2005 and dedicated exclusively to contemporary Irish arts across theatre, literature, film, and music. Over 20 years, the organization has presented the work of over 1,000 Irish artists and earned 100+ nominations and multiple awards, including Helen Hayes Awards and a DC Mayor's Arts Award for Innovation in the Arts. Core programming includes live theatre productions co-presented with DC venues (Studio Theatre, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Spooky Action Theater, Mosaic Theater Company), the annual Capital Irish Film Festival at AFI Silver Theatre (now in its 20th edition), three monthly virtual book groups (Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction) on Zoom, digital theatre streaming, and the international artist exchange program Tales of Two Cities with Cork Midsummer Festival and The Everyman, Cork.

The organization's business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding structure comprising three primary streams: ticket sales for the small minority of paid programming (priced $10-$70 per ticket), donations and corporate sponsorships (processed via Neon CRM and special events such as the 20th Anniversary Party), and government/institutional grants. Key funders include the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme, Culture Ireland, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. Approximately 90% of programming is kept free to maximize public access. Distribution is hybrid: in-person programming relies on co-presentation partnerships with established DC venues and theatres, while virtual programming (book groups, digital theatre, on-demand streaming via Eventbrite) extends reach globally with negligible marginal cost. Marketing is conducted through the solasnua.org website, Constant Contact newsletters, social media, press coverage in major publications, and partnerships with Irish diplomatic and cultural institutions.

Leadership comprises Executive Director Andrew Dolan, Artistic Director of Theatre Rex Daugherty (six-year tenure, multiple Helen Hayes recognitions), and Capital Irish Film Festival Director Maedhbh McCullagh. Solas Nua operates with no parent company, no subsidiaries, no disclosed revenue figures, and no external investors, consistent with its status as an independent 501(c)-style nonprofit organization. The organization maintains a regional focus on Washington D.C. and the immediately surrounding DMV metro area for in-person programming while leveraging virtual channels for global book group participation.

Name

Solas Nua

Legal name

Solas Nua

Website

https://solasnua.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Solas Nua is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit arts organization founded in 2005 that presents contemporary Irish theatre, film, literature, and music to DC-area audiences and global virtual participants. It funds operations through ticket sales, donations, and government/institutional grants, with 90% of programming offered free.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Services

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Alternative Content Exhibition (Live Broadcasts, Concert Films, Sports, Opera) (MPADAKAG)

Keywords

• Contemporary Irish arts
• Live theatre productions
• Irish film festival
• Literary book groups
• Cultural exchange programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from sale of tickets to theatre productions, film screenings, and live events
2. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable contributions from donors, supporters, and patrons; corporate sponsorships; special fundraising events such as the 20th Anniversary Party
3. Government and Institutional Grants: Funding from Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme, Culture Ireland, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, and other cultural agencies

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Solas Nua commissions, produces, and presents contemporary Irish arts programming in Washington, D.C., encompassing live theatre productions, the annual Capital Irish Film Festival, monthly virtual book groups (Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction), digital theatre productions, music performances, and international artist exchange programs such as Tales of Two Cities and Show in a Bag. Approximately 90% of programming is offered free of charge to general public audiences and the Irish-diaspora community in the U.S. capital.

Product overview

Solas Nua is a multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated exclusively to contemporary Irish arts, presenting a portfolio of theatrical productions, film festivals, literary programs, and music performances in Washington D.C. The organization's core offerings include live theatre productions featuring Irish playwrights, the annual Capital Irish Film Festival, three virtual book groups (Fiction, Poetry, and Nonfiction), digital theatre experiences, and international exchange programs like Tales of Two Cities. Programming spans in-person events at D.C. venues and virtual experiences via Zoom, with approximately 90% of offerings provided free of charge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Capital Irish Film Festival (CIFF): Annual film festival presenting Irish cinema in partnership with AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
• Poetry Book Group
• Fiction Book Group
• Nonfiction Book Group

Products and services

• Theatre Productions Live theatrical performances featuring contemporary Irish playwrights and theatre-makers, presented in Washington D.C. venues including Atlas Performing Arts Center, Spooky Action Theater, and in partnership with local theatres. Intended for general public audiences, Irish-diaspora community members, and arts enthusiasts in the D.C. area.
• Capital Irish Film Festival (CIFF) Annual film festival held in partnership with the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, MD, showcasing Irish cinema including dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films, and animation. Now in its 20th edition in 2026. Open to the general public, with filmmaker submissions invited annually.
• Book Groups Monthly (and bi-monthly) virtual book discussion groups covering contemporary Irish literature across three categories: Fiction Book Group (second Monday), Poetry Book Group (third Monday), and Nonfiction Book Group (every other month), all meeting free via Zoom. Open to general public participants worldwide.
• Digital Theatre Productions Online theatre experiences including digital shorts and streaming productions such as Side-Walks, Emoji Play, and What's On Your Walls, presented through Zoom and on-demand digital formats. Aimed at general audiences and accessible beyond the D.C. geography.
• Music and Performance Events Live music performances, readings, and cultural events featuring Irish musicians and performers in D.C. venues, including curated music programming for general audiences.
• Tales of Two Cities International exchange and professional development initiative connecting emerging theatre-makers from Washington, D.C., with artists in Cork, Ireland, run in partnership with Cork Midsummer Festival and The Everyman, Cork. Artists attend Cork Midsummer Festival and participate in mentorship and creative exploration.
• Show in a Bag Solo show development program in partnership with Fishamble: The New Play Company, supporting performing artists based in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to create and develop their own tour-friendly performance showcases. Includes an associated workshop with a $10 participation fee.
• Norman Houston Short Film Award Annual $2,500 prize for the best short film by a filmmaker from or based in Northern Ireland, presented at the Capital Irish Film Festival.

Named customers3 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

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cork Midsummer FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Solas Nua joined as lead partner for Tales of Two Cities, an international exchange program connecting emerging theatre-makers from Washington DC with artists in Cork, Ireland. The program enables artists to attend Cork Midsummer Festival and participate in mentorship and creative exploration.
• The Everyman, CorkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Co-founder of Tales of Two Cities international artist exchange program. The Everyman theatre collaborates with Solas Nua to facilitate artist exchanges between Cork and Washington DC.
• Studio TheatrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 26 June 2024Co-presented Panti Bliss: If These Wigs Could Talk in June-July 2024. Studio Theatre is a major DC venue partner for Irish theatre productions.
• MayFest / MAYKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious partner in Tales of Two Cities program from Bristol, UK
• Bristol Old VicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious partner in Tales of Two Cities program from Bristol, UK
• Fishamble: The New Play CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDublin-based theatre company known for Show in a Bag program. Solas Nua partners with Fishamble to bring solo show development opportunities to DC artists and to produce and tour Fishamble productions in the US.
• AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAnnual venue for Capital Irish Film Festival, presenting one of the largest programs of Irish cinema in North America in partnership with American Film Institute.
• Atlas Performing Arts CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDC venue hosting various Solas Nua productions including Side-Walks and My English Persian Kitchen.
• Spooky Action TheatercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDC theatre partner for Solas Nua co-productions including HAKAWATIS and You'll See...
• Mosaic Theater CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-production partner for My English Persian Kitchen US premiere, presented in association with Solas Nua at Atlas Performing Arts Center.
• Dublin Fringe FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal co-founder partner with Fishamble for Show in a Bag program
• Irish Theatre InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal co-founder partner with Fishamble for Show in a Bag program
• Politics & Prose BookstorecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for Irish Voices author events and readings, hosting events at Politics & Prose locations in DC.
• Embassy of IrelandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on Irish Voices series and various events, providing diplomatic and cultural support for Irish arts programming.
• Georgetown University Global Irish StudiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcademic partner for Irish Voices series and cultural programming collaborations.
• Folger Shakespeare LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Poetry Day Ireland 2022 event - American poets reading Irish poems.
• Poetry IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Poetry Day Ireland events and programming collaboration.
• Northern Ireland BureauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupport for Capital Irish Film Festival with focus on Northern Ireland filmmakers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Capital Fringe Festival: Washington DC's flagship fringe festival presenting independent theatre, dance, and performance. Comparable as a DC-based multidisciplinary performing arts presenter, though not Irish-focused.
• Studio Theatre: Award-winning DC theatre and Solas Nua's co-presenting partner for productions such as Panti Bliss. Comparable as a DC-based presenting/producing theatre serving overlapping local audiences.
• Atlas Performing Arts Center: DC multidisciplinary arts venue hosting many Solas Nua productions including Side-Walks and My English Persian Kitchen. Comparable as a DC performing arts presenter serving similar local audiences.

Direct peers

• Irish Arts Center: New York-based nonprofit dedicated to contemporary and traditional Irish arts across theatre, music, film, and literature. Directly comparable as a cross-disciplinary Irish arts presenter serving a major US diaspora market.
• Irish Repertory Theatre: Off-Broadway nonprofit theatre company focused on Irish and Irish-American playwrights. Comparable in its dedicated Irish-theatre programming, New York diaspora audience, and nonprofit producing model.
• 1st Irish Festival: New York-based Irish film festival presenting contemporary Irish cinema in North America. Directly comparable to Solas Nua's Capital Irish Film Festival as an Irish-cinema showcase targeting the US diaspora.
• Cork Midsummer Festival: Annual multidisciplinary arts festival in Cork, Ireland and Solas Nua's strategic exchange partner under Tales of Two Cities. Highly comparable as a contemporary Irish performing arts presenter and festival operator.
• Fishamble: The New Play Company: Dublin-based award-winning theatre company behind Show in a Bag and co-founder of the program Solas Nua runs. Directly comparable as an Irish new-work theatre developer and touring producer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Solasnuacht
• Facebookfacebook.com/Solasnuacht
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solas-nua

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Solas Nua