caapa

What caapa does

CAAPA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 by Victor Allen, Terri Allen, and Pamela Simonson Parker, headquartered in the Maryland/Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Its mission is to expand awareness of, and access to, classical performing arts among Black audiences and artists — articulated through the tagline "Bringing COLOR to the Classics". The organization operates a multi-program portfolio spanning performance, education, and community engagement, including a Performance Series, Panel Series, the George Shirley Masterclass Series (operating since 2014), an Arts Academy for grades 2–8, a summer CAAPA Camp for ages 8–15, Opera for Fun youth outreach, the 60+ ARTS senior program, the Generations Chorus community choir, an Emerging Artists Showcase, scholarship programs, Curated Performances, and the annual Melody of Art Celebration staged on the eve of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The Cultural Center (CCC), CAAPA's principal physical venue, was relocated to Holy Family Catholic Church in Temple Hills, Maryland in 2024, providing an anchor for in-person programming. The organization's business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants (Maryland Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, Maryland State Arts Council, Prince George's Arts and Humanities Council, Prince George's County government, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Prince George's Community College), ticket sales for selected events, and dedicated scholarship donations. Most programs are offered free or at low cost, positioning ticket revenue as supplemental rather than primary.

CAAPA has begun layering strategic partnerships to extend its programming reach beyond its core DMV base, including a co-presentation with Sphinx Virtuosi for the "American 250: Sounds of Unity" initiative, a partnership with the Anna Wang Concert Series for George Shirley Masterclass programming, an ASALH-affiliated Black History Month collaboration, and a venue partnership with Guild Hall in East Hampton, New York. The organization also reports a 37% HBCU audience reach, suggesting institutional distribution into Black higher-education networks. Technology infrastructure is not a stated focus; CAAPA operates as a programming and community organization rather than a software or platform entity.

Name

caapa

Legal name

Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts

Website

https://4caapa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CAAPA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 in the Maryland/DC metro area that delivers classical performing arts education, performance, and community programs centered on Black audiences and artists, supported by a diversified mix of donations, grants, sponsorships, and ticket sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAHAB

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

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGAHAC

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGAHAI

Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

Keywords

• Classical performing arts
• Arts education programs
• Community performing arts
• Youth music education
• African American classical music

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Washington

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. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission to promote diversity in classical performing arts. Donors can give online via PayPal or by mail. Monthly giving programs are available for sustained support.
2. Grant Funding: Funding from foundations and government agencies including Maryland Humanities, PGAHC, MSAC, M-NCPPC, PGCC, NEA, and PGCP to support arts education programs, performance opportunities, and community engagement initiatives.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship provides brand visibility while supporting programs. Event sponsorships, program underwriting, annual partnerships, and performance series support are available with benefits including logo placement and event recognition.
4. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticketed performances in the concert series. Tickets support performance fees, artist travel, accommodations, receptions, and publicity. Some community events are free or low-cost.
5. Scholarship Program Donations: Designated donations supporting the CAAPA Music Scholarship and Courtney D. Pringle Memorial Scholarship programs for graduating high school musicians.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CAAPA is a nonprofit arts organization that delivers classical performing arts programming for the Black diaspora through in-person concerts, panel discussions, masterclasses, youth and senior education programs, and community engagement activities. Offerings include ticketed concert series, free community performances, the George Shirley Masterclass Series for HBCU students, arts education classes for grades 2-8, summer camp, opera outreach, a weekly senior program, a community choir, an emerging artists showcase, and bookable performance ensembles, all anchored at the CAAPA Cultural Center in the Maryland-DC metro area.

Product overview

CAAPA (Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts) is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of performing arts programs rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include Performance Series concerts, Panel Series discussions, and the George Shirley Masterclass Series for mentorship. Youth and family programs span Arts Academy (Saturdays for grades 2-8), CAAPA Camp (summer intensive for ages 8-15), and Opera for Fun outreach. Senior programming includes the 60+ ARTS weekly program and Generations Chorus community choir. Emerging artist support includes the annual showcase and scholarship programs. The CAAPA Cultural Center serves as the physical hub for these programs. Curated Performances offer bookable ensembles for external events. These programs collectively fulfill CAAPA's mission of making classical performing arts accessible to the Black diaspora through education, performance opportunities, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bringing COLOR to the Classics: CAAPA's signature tagline and trademarked phrase representing its mission to bring diversity to classical performing arts

Products and services

• Performance Series A dynamic concert series featuring world-class classical performances that celebrate African American artistry and composition, with both free community recitals and ticketed events across the DMV area. For multigenerational audiences, particularly Black community members.
• Panel Series Insightful discussions featuring industry leaders, artists, and educators addressing career development in classical music, breaking barriers for artists of color, and the evolving landscape of performing arts. For general audiences, students, and emerging artists.
• George Shirley Masterclass Series The premiere Black Classical Music Masterclass Series, bringing world-renowned African American artists to HBCUs and performing arts high schools for recitals and hands-on student coaching. For HBCU music students, performing arts high school students, faculty, and general audiences.
• Arts Academy Comprehensive Saturday arts education program for grades 2-8 combining music, dance, theatre, and visual arts in a supportive environment that culminates in staged performances. For school-age students grades 2-8 and their families.
• CAAPA Camp Summer intensive weekday program for ages 8-15 combining classical performing arts with creative enrichment, featuring music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and a final showcase performance. Runs 9 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday with all meals and snacks provided. For children ages 8-15.
• Opera for Fun Youth outreach program bringing professional-quality opera performances directly to schools, libraries, and community centers with interactive demonstrations and audience participation. For school-age children and community audiences.
• 60+ ARTS Program Weekly Wednesday programming for seniors combining wellness activities, social connection, and artistic enrichment including chair yoga, live classical music experiences, and group outings. For active adults aged 60 and older.
• Generations Chorus All-ages community choir with daytime rehearsals, no auditions required, exploring diverse repertoire from classical choral works to spirituals under Director Everett Williams Jr. For community members of all generations.
• Emerging Artists Showcase Annual showcase platform for young professional classical musicians transitioning from student to established artist, providing visibility, networking, and mentorship opportunities. For emerging Black classical musicians.
• Scholarship Programs Financial support and mentorship for graduating high school musicians including the CAAPA Music Scholarship and Courtney D. Pringle Memorial Scholarship, with awards of $500 to $1,000. For graduating high school musicians committed to continuing classical music education.
• Curated Performances Bookable ensembles including CAAPA Chorale, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble, and Dance Ensemble for events, tailored to organizational missions and audiences. For organizations booking performers for their events.
• Melody of Art Celebration Annual season opening reception and awards ceremony held on the eve of the Congressional Black Caucus, featuring dignitaries, officials, and arts enthusiasts. For donors, dignitaries, and arts supporters.

Quantifiable outcome

• 72 complimentary masterclasses conducted since 2014, engaging 236 student performers across 37% of HBCU music programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Maryland HumanitiescoreOthersGrant partner providing funding support for CAAPA's arts education and community engagement programs. Maryland Humanities supports cultural organizations advancing diversity in the arts.
• PGAHC (Prince George's Arts and Humanities Council)coreOthers2025 grant partner supporting CAAPA's regional arts programming in Prince George's County, Maryland.
• MSAC (Maryland State Arts Council)coreOthersState arts council providing grant funding to support CAAPA's arts education initiatives and performance programs.
• PCM (Prince George's County), M-NCPPCsupportingOthersCounty government arts partners supporting CAAPA's community engagement and performance programming.
• NEA (National Endowment for the Arts)coreOthersFederal arts agency providing grant support for CAAPA's national programming and initiatives promoting diversity in classical arts.
• PGCC (Prince George's Community College)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner hosting CAAPA performances and events at the Center for the Performing Arts. Annual holiday concerts and other events held at this venue.
• PGCP (Prince George's County Public Schools)supportingOthers2025 grant partner supporting educational programming for students in Prince George's County schools.
• WMK ProductionssupportingGTM or Marketing Partner2025 corporate sponsor supporting CAAPA's mission to bring color to the classics through performing arts programming.
• J.B. Jenkins Funeral Home Inc.supportingGTM or Marketing Partner2025 corporate sponsor supporting CAAPA's community arts programs and performances.
• Sphinx VirtuosicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presented performance featuring Sphinx Virtuosi and J'nai Bridges, part of American 250: Sounds of Unity celebration.
• Anna Wang Concert SeriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenting partner for George Shirley Masterclass Series and Morris Robinson & Friends Concert, combining resources for classical music programming.
• ASALH (Association for the Study of African American Life and History)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored the National Black History Theme event 'Revival: Black Americans and The Arts Poetry Celebration' with Prince George's Truth Branch.
• Guild HallsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner hosting 'On Our Toes in The Hamptons: Building Our Heaven' performance at The Hilarie and Mitchell Morgan Theater.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Sphinx Organization: National nonprofit dedicated to diversity in classical music through performance, competition (Sphinx Competition), and the Sphinx Virtuosi ensemble. Directly comparable to CAAPA in mission of promoting Black and Latinx classical artists; CAAPA has co-presented with their Sphinx Virtuosi ensemble.
• Washington Performing Arts: DC-based performing arts presenter that brings world-class artists to the capital region through residencies, performances, and education programs. Direct geographic peer operating in CAAPA's home DMV market with overlapping artist roster and educational outreach.
• Levine Music: DC-area community music school offering instruction across instruments and voice with strong education and access mission. Comparable to CAAPA's Arts Academy and youth programming through classical music education in the DMV region.
• Dance Theatre of Harlem: Iconic Black classical ballet company combining performance with arts education and community engagement. Directly comparable as a Black-led classical performing arts organization using performance and education to expand diversity in a traditionally homogeneous art form.
• National Black Arts Festival: Atlanta-based nonprofit celebrating Black arts through performances, exhibitions, and education across multiple disciplines. Directly comparable as a Black-arts-focused organization combining performance, education, and community engagement.

Regional players

• National Philharmonic: Maryland-based classical orchestra and chorale that performs at the Music Center at Strathmore. Comparable DMV regional peer with classical performances, education programming, and community engagement focus similar to CAAPA's Performance Series.
• Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation: Regional arts funder serving DC, Maryland, Virginia, and beyond through grants and programs. Comparable regional arts ecosystem player that CAAPA likely engages with for grant funding and partnership opportunities.

Broad incumbents

• League of American Orchestras: National service organization for orchestras providing advocacy, research, and programming resources. Broader incumbent operating in the classical music ecosystem that CAAPA participates in through its concerts and partnerships.
• Americans for the Arts: National nonprofit advocating for arts and arts education across all disciplines. Broad incumbent that intersects with CAAPA's mission through arts education advocacy and community engagement at a national policy level.
• The Kennedy Center: National performing arts center and education hub in DC with extensive classical programming and arts education initiatives. Broad incumbent in CAAPA's home market with overlapping educational and performance programming at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caapa---coalition-for-african-americans-in-the-performing-arts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 caapa