Phipps Center for the Arts

What Phipps Center for the Arts does

The Phipps Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing and visual arts center located at 109 Locust Street in Hudson, Wisconsin, overlooking the St. Croix River. Founded in 1983 with support from the William H. Phipps Foundation and community donors, the organization has operated continuously for over 40 years, serving the St. Croix River Valley across western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Its physical footprint includes the John H. Potter Theater, a Black Box Theater, seven galleries, a scene shop, costume shop, and music and dance studios, the last expansion having doubled the facility in 1992. The center is governed by a board of directors and guided by six community-based arts councils (Drama, Children's Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, Dance, and Volunteer) that influence programming, jury exhibitions, and contribute volunteer labor for productions and events.

The Phipps generates revenue across five streams: ticket sales for theatrical productions, dance performances, and music presentations (priced $16–$32 per ticket); arts education classes for children, teens, and adults (single sessions from $32, 8-week classes $200–$300); contributed income from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants; visual arts income from gallery artwork sales and the Enriching Arts program; and facility/costume/prop rentals. Ticketing is operated in-house via the Ludus platform with both self-serve online and phone channels, and Season Pass subscriptions offer up to 33% savings, unlimited free exchanges, and priority reservation. Programs span live theatre (musicals, plays, children's theatre), dance (including auditioned Phipps Dance Company and Junior Dance Company ensembles for grades 9–12 and ages 10–13), visual arts exhibitions across seven galleries funded by the Xcel Energy Foundation, summer arts camps for ages 3–18, and the Enriching Arts community-outreach program that places rotating exhibitions in healthcare and senior living facilities.

For FY2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026), the organization budgeted $1,414,337 in operating revenue plus $59,500 in released restricted funds and a $206,000 endowment transfer, totaling $1,679,837, against $1,765,211 in expenses (largest categories: salaries/benefits $760,499, performances $237,060, classes $206,265, maintenance/building $129,700, production $122,285). The center operates with an 11-person staff and is supported by an active volunteer base, community arts councils, and institutional partners including Xcel Energy Foundation, Hudson Hospital (now HealthPartners), Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation. Distribution and marketing rely on the website, email newsletter (The Flying P), seasonal mailers, social media, community partnerships, and word of mouth.

Name

Phipps Center for the Arts

Legal name

The Phipps Center for the Arts

Website

https://thephipps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Center

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater) (EDAAAGAE), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Performing arts center
• Arts education classes
• Visual arts exhibitions
• Community theatre productions
• Nonprofit arts organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Hudson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from theatrical productions, dance performances, and music presentations. Ticket prices range from $16 to $32 per performance.
2. Classes: Arts education classes including visual art, dance, theatre, and music for children, teens, and adults. Single session classes start at $32; 8-week classes range from $200-300.
3. Contributed Income: Donations and charitable contributions from individuals and organizations, including sponsorships.
4. Visual Arts Income: Revenue from artwork sales in galleries and the Enriching Arts program.
5. Rents & Facility Rentals: Rental income from facilities, props, scenic pieces, and costume rentals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Phipps Center for the Arts presents live performing and visual arts events and provides arts education classes and camps for all ages. Operating from a 1983-built facility in Hudson, WI (doubled in size in 1992), it offers theatrical productions, dance performances, music presentations, rotating gallery exhibitions across seven galleries, and instructional programs in dance, theatre, music, pottery, drawing, painting, and multimedia for ages 3 months through adult.

Product overview

The Phipps Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing and visual arts center in Hudson, WI, serving the St. Croix River Valley region. The organization offers a diverse portfolio of programs including live theatre productions (musicals, plays, children's theatre) in its John H. Potter Theater and Black Box Theater; year-round visual arts exhibitions in seven galleries; comprehensive arts education classes in dance, theatre, music, pottery, drawing, painting, and multimedia for all ages; and summer arts camps for children ages 3-18. Additional offerings include Phipps Dance Company and Phipps Junior Dance Company (auditioned performance ensembles), facility and costume rentals, season passes, gift cards, and the Enriching Arts community outreach program. The center relies on contributed income and community support as a charitable nonprofit organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Phipps Center Stage: A non-competitive, performance-based dance company made up of auditioned dancers in grades 9 through 12
• Phipps Junior Dance Company
• Enriching Arts Program
• What We Need Is Here
• Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival

Products and services

• Live Theatre Productions Year-round theatrical productions including musicals, plays, and children's theatre performed in the John H. Potter Theater and Black Box Theater for community members and visitors.
• Visual Arts Exhibitions Year-round rotating exhibitions in seven galleries showcasing regional artists' work, with free admission funded by Xcel Energy Foundation.
• Arts Education Classes Comprehensive arts education offerings including dance, theatre, music, pottery, drawing, painting, textiles, and multimedia classes for children, teens, and adults.
• Summer Arts Camp Week-long summer arts camps for children ages 3-18 offering dance, theatre, and visual arts instruction across seven summer weeks.
• Season Passes Annual subscription passes offering unlimited free exchanges, savings up to 33% over single ticket prices, best seats, priority reservation, and access to subscriber-only events.
• Gift Cards Gift cards available in any dollar amount redeemable for any Phipps event, class, artwork, or merchandise.
• Phipps Dance Company Non-competitive, auditioned dance ensemble for grades 9-12 providing pre-professional training and additional performance opportunities including annual spring productions.
• Phipps Junior Dance Company Non-competitive, auditioned dance ensemble for ages 10-13 from the Hudson area providing weekly rehearsals and performance opportunities.
• Enriching Arts Program Community outreach program bringing original art by regional artists into healthcare and senior living facilities, with exhibitions changing every three months.
• Facility Rentals Rental of Phipps facilities including theatres, studios, and event spaces for external productions and events.
• Costume Rentals Rental of costumes from an extensive collection for theatrical productions, including children's theatre and family costumes.
• Dance Birthday Parties Dance party packages for children's birthdays including 45 minutes of dance instruction followed by refreshments and party time.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hudson Hospital (now HealthPartners)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003In 2003, the Phipps collaborated with Hudson Hospital to create the Healing Arts program, which has since evolved into the Enriching Arts program providing rotating art exhibitions at local senior living communities.
• Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership to organize the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival, a two-day outdoor event featuring 80 regional artists with fine art and traditional crafts for sale.
• Art Bench TrailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative initiative creating artist-designed benches across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, celebrating local history, culture, and scenic beauty of the St. Croix River.
• Open Eye TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpen Eye Theatre Driveway Tour production 'The Adventures of Katie Tomatie' presented as part of 2025/26 season.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/phipps-center-for-the-arts-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Phipps Center for the Arts