contemporaneous
Contemporaneous is a NYC-based nonprofit founded in 2010 that commissions, performs, and records contemporary classical music through a 23-member ensemble led by co-artistic directors David Bloom and Dylan Mattingly, serving living composers, new music audiences, and educational communities via live events, recordings, and free community programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What contemporaneous does
Contemporaneous is a New York City-based nonprofit new music ensemble founded in 2010 that commissions, performs, and records contemporary classical works by living composers. The organization operates with a 23-member core ensemble led by co-artistic directors David Bloom (conductor) and Dylan Mattingly (composer), and has premiered large-scale and durational works including a six-hour opera at Walt Disney Concert Hall commissioned by the LA Phil. Its core technology is a large chamber ensemble capable of executing ambitious contemporary repertoire — including works incorporating choir, electronics, and solo vocalists (e.g., collaborations with Iarla Ó Lionáird and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh).
The ensemble operates four sub-brands: the IMAGINATION open-call commissioning initiative, the recurring Virtual Community Salon (free online gathering), the Open Mic Series (free performance opportunities for composers), and the Imagination Radio podcast. Its revenue model is diversified across ticket sales ($10–$25 general admission, $10 student/senior, premium events up to $100), individual donations (including a monthly Visionary program), and institutional funding from a broad mix of public agencies (NYSCA, NYC DCA, NEA) and private foundations (Aaron Copland Fund, Amphion Foundation, New Music USA, Pacific Harmony Foundation, Peter S. Reed Foundation). Distribution combines direct venue ticketing, Eventbrite, festival appearances, university residencies, and digital streaming via YouTube.
The ensemble's go-to-market is event-driven, reaching audiences through live performances at premier NYC venues (National Sawdust, Roulette, Miller Theatre at Columbia, MoMA) and festival appearances (Bang on a Can Long Play, PROTOTYPE, Kaatsbaan). Customer segments include contemporary composers seeking performance opportunities, new music enthusiasts, students and educators, and community artists — addressed through horizontal programming rather than vertical specialization.
contemporaneous firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- contemporaneous
- Legal name
- Contemporaneous
- Website
- https://contemporaneous.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Contemporaneous is a NYC-based nonprofit founded in 2010 that commissions, performs, and records contemporary classical music through a 23-member ensemble led by co-artistic directors David Bloom and Dylan Mattingly, serving living composers, new music audiences, and educational communities via live events, recordings, and free community programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
contemporaneous industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Contemporary Classical Music Ensemble / Performing Arts
- NAICS
- Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Virtual Concerts & Music Festivals (Livestreamed Performances) (MPAGAOAD)
Keywords
Where contemporaneous is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
contemporaneous business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from concert and event tickets sold to the public at various price points for performances at venues including National Sawdust, Roulette, and other locations.
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals including monthly Visionary program contributions and one-time donations, supporting the ensemble's operations and programming.
- Institutional Funding: Grants and public funding from arts councils including New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and private foundations including the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Amphion Foundation, and others.
- Festival/Commissioning Partnerships: Co-commissioning and co-production arrangements with presenting organizations such as Beth Morrison Projects, Bang on a Can, and other festivals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Virtual Community Salon - Free |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | General Admission Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Festival/Benefit Events |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Pay-What-You-Want |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
contemporaneous product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Contemporaneous is a 23-member New York City-based new music ensemble that commissions, premieres, and performs contemporary classical works by living composers. Its offerings span live concert performances at venues and festivals, the IMAGINATION commissioning program, an Open Mic series for emerging composers, the free Virtual Community Salon, university residencies and educational programs, and recorded albums released on labels including Nonesuch Records and Innova Recordings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Imagination Radio: Podcast produced by Contemporaneous exploring imagination in music and life, hosted by co-artistic directors David Bloom and Dylan Mattingly.
- Contemporaneous IMAGINATION
- Open Mic Series
- Virtual Community Salon
Products and services
- Live Contemporary Classical Concert Performances Ticketed live performances of contemporary classical works at partner venues (National Sawdust, Roulette, Miller Theatre, MoMA) and festivals, for general audiences and new music patrons.
- IMAGINATION Commissioning Initiative Open-call commissioning program for composers worldwide to submit ambitious ideas for development, performance, and recording by the ensemble.
- Open Mic Series Free performance and recording opportunity for composers submitting works to be performed by Contemporaneous at partner venues.
- Virtual Community Salon Recurring free online community gathering where artists across disciplines share works in progress and connect with other creatives.
- University Residency and Educational Programs Residency and educational programs at universities including concert presentations, student composition premieres, and workshops for music students.
- The Wild Heart (Recorded Album) Recorded album on Nonesuch Records of Dylan Mattingly's 'The Wild Heart' performed by Contemporaneous, distributed globally as a commercial recording.
- Stream of Stars (Debut Album) Debut album released on Innova Recordings in 2012 featuring world-premiere recordings of works composed for the ensemble, funded through a 100-backer Kickstarter campaign.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 10,000 audience members at single event (Sunrise/Sunset premiere)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use contemporaneous
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
contemporaneous technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
contemporaneous partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and supporting.
- New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)coreState arts council providing operational funding support. The Virtual Salon series and performances are made possible in part by NYSCA with support from Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
- NYC Department of Cultural AffairscoreCity agency providing public funding for performances and programming. Public funds support the Virtual Community Salon series and various concert presentations.
- National SawdustcoreBrooklyn venue that is a primary performance space for Contemporaneous. Co-presenter for numerous premieres and ongoing performances including Dreams of One/All concert.
- Roulette IntermediumcoreBrooklyn venue for contemporary music where Contemporaneous performs regularly including Open Mic events and IMAGINATION Presents.
- Bang on a CancorePresenters of the Long Play Festival where Contemporaneous performed Gavin Bryars' Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet. Festival features 60+ concerts across multiple Brooklyn venues.
- Choral ChameleonstrategicChoral music company that collaborated with Contemporaneous for the HEAPS premiere, combining chamber orchestra with choir and electronics.
- Beth Morrison ProjectscoreOpera and music-theater presenting organization that co-presented BMP: SONGBOOK celebrating two decades of innovation in American opera, featuring Contemporaneous performers.
- Colgate UniversitystrategicUniversity residency program where Contemporaneous serves as ensemble in residence, presenting student compositions and educational programming.
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)strategicMajor museum where Contemporaneous musicians performed Sarah Davachi's long-form works as part of MoMA's contemporary music programming.
- Miller Theatre at Columbia UniversitycoreHistoric concert venue where Contemporaneous made their Miller debut performing alongside composer Lisa Bielawa for the Composer Portraits series.
- PS21: Center for Contemporary PerformancestrategicContemporary performance center presenting Contemporaneous in The Dark festival performing David Lang's 'darker' work.
- Kaatsbaan Cultural ParkstrategicCultural park presenting Dylan Mattingly's History of Life: Act I as part of their 2024 Festival, with Contemporaneous as performing ensemble.
- PROTOTYPE FestivalcoreOpera and music-theater festival co-presenting 4.48 Psychosis with Contemporaneous ensemble.
- Princeton Sound KitchensupportingPrinceton University concert series where Contemporaneous performed graduate composers' works and premiered collaborative projects.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
contemporaneous competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Sawdust: Brooklyn-based venue and presenting organization for contemporary music; a primary performance home for Contemporaneous. Highly relevant as both venue-partner and presenting peer with overlapping repertoire and artists.
- Bang on a Can: New-music presenting organization founded in 1987 that runs the Long Play Festival, Marathon, and Asphalt Orchestra. Directly comparable to Contemporaneous as a presenter of contemporary music with shared artists and audiences in NYC.
- Ensemble Signal: NYC-based contemporary music ensemble led by Brad Lubman performing new works with electronics. Directly comparable size and repertoire focus to Contemporaneous.
- Beth Morrison Projects: Opera and music-theater producer co-presenting BMP: SONGBOOK with Contemporaneous via PROTOTYPE Festival. Operates in the same new-music commissioning and presentation niche, with overlapping composers and venues.
- Wet Ink Ensemble: NYC-based contemporary music collective of composers and performers. Comparable to Contemporaneous in size, repertoire focus, and commissioning practice.
- Roulette Intermedium: Brooklyn performance venue dedicated to experimental and new music that hosts Contemporaneous regularly. Comparable as a contemporary music presenter with overlapping artist roster.
- International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE): Large New York-based contemporary chamber ensemble of roughly 35 musicians. Closest direct competitor in scale and repertoire, also performing new works and commissioning living composers.
- Alarm Will Sound: 20-member American contemporary music ensemble performing new and recent works. Comparable in size and mission to Contemporaneous, with shared ensemble model and audience.
Broad incumbents
- New World Symphony: Large orchestral training and performance institution in Miami Beach. Broader and more established performer in the contemporary classical space, with much larger budget and audience reach than Contemporaneous.
- Miller Theatre at Columbia University: Columbia University venue running the Composer Portraits series and other new-music programming where Contemporaneous has performed. A larger, more established presenter in the same new-music ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
contemporaneous social profiles
Digital presencecontemporaneous financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
contemporaneous leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
contemporaneous funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
contemporaneous 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 contemporaneous
What does contemporaneous do?
Contemporaneous is a 23-member New York City-based new music ensemble that commissions, premieres, and performs contemporary classical works by living composers. Its offerings span live concert performances at venues and festivals, the IMAGINATION commissioning program, an Open Mic series for emerging composers, the free Virtual Community Salon, university residencies and educational programs, and recorded albums released on labels including Nonesuch Records and Innova Recordings.
Is contemporaneous a public or private company?
contemporaneous is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was contemporaneous founded?
contemporaneous was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is contemporaneous based?
contemporaneous is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does contemporaneous make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, institutional Funding and festival/Commissioning Partnerships.
Who are contemporaneous's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Sawdust, Bang on a Can, Ensemble Signal, Beth Morrison Projects, Wet Ink Ensemble, Roulette Intermedium, International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) and Alarm Will Sound. Broad incumbents are New World Symphony and Miller Theatre at Columbia University.
Does contemporaneous have an API?
No public API is recorded for contemporaneous.
What industry is contemporaneous in?
contemporaneous's product category is Contemporary Classical Music Ensemble / Performing Arts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking), with a secondary code of EDAMANAC, Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir). Its NAICS code is 71113.