What arts benicia does

Arts Benicia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit visual arts center founded in 1986 and based in Benicia, California, in Solano County. The organization operates a 2,000 sq ft primary gallery inside the historic Commanding Officer's Quarters at 1 Commandant's Lane along the Carquinez Strait, and a secondary Printmaking Annex at 991 Tyler Street in the Benicia Arsenal District. Its core products are rotating juried and member exhibitions, a printmaking workshop and artist-in-residence (ABAiR) program built around three printing presses supporting etching, monotype, collograph, planographic, and photo-transfer processes, youth art programs delivered in partnership with Benicia Unified School District (including STEAM Wheel classes and the Next Generation student exhibit), adult classes and workshops, an annual Open Studios event drawing 2,000+ visitors across 70+ studios, docent-led tours, and outreach exhibitions through the Arts Benicia Presents program at venues including Happy Life Pottery, Blackbird Gallery, and Benicia City Council Chambers.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack with no single dominant stream. Earned revenue comes from artist memberships priced at $35/year, workshop tuition ($200 for members and $240 for non-members per 6-session Printmaker's Workshop), art sales commissions on consigned work (50-60% paid to artists), and $5 donations per person on docent tours. Contributed revenue comes from individual donations, corporate sponsorships (e.g., Valero Benicia Refinery, Perfect Puree of Napa Valley), foundation support (Wilson Family Foundation), and an annual fundraising gala ("A Night In Venice"). Grant funding includes the California Arts Council Creative Corps Capital Region Grant (2023-2024) and Solano County Arts Council support for Art Solano 2026. Exhibitions and docent-led tours are free to the public, and the organization is governed independently with no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no private-equity involvement.

Name

arts benicia

Legal name

Arts Benicia, Inc.

Website

https://artsbenicia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Arts Benicia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit visual arts center founded in 1986 in Benicia, California, operating a gallery, printmaking studio, youth and adult education programs, and an annual Open Studios event serving Solano County artists and the Bay Area community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Visual Arts Center

NAICS

Museums (71211)

akta.pro primary industry

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)

Keywords

• Visual arts exhibitions
• Community arts education
• Printmaking workshops
• Artist residency programs
• Youth art classes

Headquarters

HQ city

Benicia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide ongoing operational support. Artist membership is $35 per year, with various membership levels available.
2. Grants and Government Funding: Funding from California Arts Council Creative Corps program, Solano County Arts Council grants, and other public arts funding sources.
3. Donations and Sponsorships: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships for exhibitions and events, and in-kind support from local businesses.
4. Art Sales Commission: Arts Benicia takes commissions on artwork sales during exhibitions (typically 50% commission to artists, with 60% going to artists in some exhibitions).
5. Tuition and Class Fees: Fees for printmaking workshops and classes. Printmaker's Workshop is $200 for members and $240 for non-members for 6 sessions.
6. Fundraising Events: Annual gala events (such as 'A Night In Venice') and other fundraising activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Arts Benicia operates a 2,000 sq ft gallery in the historic Commanding Officer's Quarters building in Benicia and a Printmaking Annex with three printing presses. It sells art exhibitions, printmaking and adult/youth art classes, artist-in-residence programs, docent-led tours, and outreach exhibitions at partner venues. Revenue comes primarily from memberships, grants, donations, sponsorships, class tuition, art sales commissions, and fundraising galas.

Product overview

Arts Benicia is a community-based nonprofit visual arts center serving the Bay Area since 1986, operating from the historic Commanding Officer's Quarters at 1 Commandant's Lane and a Printmaking Annex at 991 Tyler Street. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs including rotating gallery exhibitions featuring member and juried artists; printmaking workshops and artist-in-residence programs at dedicated studio facilities; youth art education through partnerships with Benicia Unified School District; adult art classes and workshops; annual Open Studios events; and outreach exhibitions through the Arts Benicia Presents program. The organization primarily generates revenue through memberships, grants, sponsorships, donations, and fundraising events, with exhibitions and docent-led tours offered free to the public.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gallery Exhibitions Rotating juried and member artist exhibitions displayed in the 2,000 sq ft Commanding Officer's Quarters gallery, free to the public on Thursdays through Sundays.
• Printmaker's Workshop
• Printmaking Artist-in-Residence Program
• Young Printmakers Program Printmaking education program for young adults aged 18-25, offering scholarships for weekly classes and special workshops with professional instructors.
• Youth Art Programs
• Adult Classes and Workshops
• Artist-in-Residence (ABAiR) Program
• Benicia Open Studios Annual two-day event where 70+ artists open their studios throughout the Historic Arsenal District, attracting 2,000+ visitors and offering opportunities to meet artists and purchase original artwork.
• Arts Benicia Presents
• Docent Tours and Docent Training Program Guided gallery tours for groups of 6-12 people ($5 per person donation requested) plus a volunteer training program in exhibition interpretation and the history of the Commanding Officer's Quarters.
• Solano Water Stories
• Annual Gala ("A Night In Venice") Annual signature fundraising gala featuring live and silent auctions, themed attire, food and beverage, and entertainment, supporting Arts Benicia's operational programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,000+ visitors annually at Open Studios
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Benicia Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEAM Wheel art classes partnership bringing teaching artist programs into BUSD schools. Supports youth art education through Next Generation student exhibit and Extended Learning Opportunity Program.
• Blackbird GalleryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner hosting 5x5 for Arts Benicia Exhibition & Fundraiser. Located at 422 First Street, Benicia.
• Happy Life PotteryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArts Benicia Presents exhibition venue at 632 First Street, Benicia. Hosts member artist solo and group exhibitions through outreach program.
• SolTransminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional transit provider offering free shuttle service during Open Studios weekend. Media campaign partner for Solano Water Stories featuring original artworks on SolTrans buses.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kala Art Institute: Kala Art Institute is a Berkeley-based nonprofit combining gallery exhibitions, artist residencies, education, and printmaking facilities. It is particularly comparable to Arts Benicia's workshop, residency, and printmaking operations.
• Pence Gallery: Pence Gallery is a Davis-based nonprofit presenting visual art exhibitions alongside classes and community programs. It is comparable in operating model, nonprofit status, and artist-education focus.
• Art Works Downtown: Art Works Downtown operates a nonprofit arts campus with galleries, artist studios, and educational programming in San Rafael. Its mixed exhibition-and-education model closely resembles Arts Benicia's community arts-center model.
• Root Division: Root Division is a nonprofit art center providing artist studios, exhibitions, instruction, and youth programming. Its artist-support and arts-education model substantially overlaps with Arts Benicia.
• Richmond Art Center: Richmond Art Center is a nonprofit visual arts center that presents exhibitions and provides classes, youth programs, and community cultural programming. Its mission, facilities, and audience closely align with Arts Benicia.
• Southern Exposure: Southern Exposure is a San Francisco nonprofit that presents contemporary visual art and supports artists through exhibitions, residencies, commissions, and public programs. It is comparable as a regional nonprofit platform for artists and community audiences.
• Marin Museum of Contemporary Art: Marin Museum of Contemporary Art is a nonprofit museum and learning center presenting contemporary art exhibitions and educational programs. It is a nearby peer serving the same Bay Area cultural audience, although its museum format is somewhat broader.
• Sebastopol Center for the Arts: Sebastopol Center for the Arts is a nonprofit visual arts organization offering gallery programming, classes, workshops, and community events. It is a relevant Northern California peer with a similar educational and exhibition mix.
• Berkeley Art Center: Berkeley Art Center is a nonprofit contemporary visual arts organization focused on exhibitions and public education. It serves a similar Bay Area audience and combines artist presentation with educational programming.
• Pro Arts: Pro Arts is an Oakland-based nonprofit that presents contemporary visual art and supports regional artists through exhibitions and public programming. It is comparable to Arts Benicia's juried, member, and community exhibition activities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arts-benicia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 arts benicia