GOLD2024

Live Arts, Inc.

Forging theater and community

aka Live Arts   |   Charlottesville, VA   |  www.livearts.org

Mission

Powered by more than 900 production volunteers and hundreds of non-production volunteers, Live Arts is a national model for engaged community theater. For more than three decades, we've dedicated ourselves to the mission of forging theater and community in Charlottesville, Virginia. Our engagement in local communities runs deep, and we happily attract participants and audiences from across Central Virginia. We are known for exceptionally high-caliber productions that reflect the remarkable talent of our volunteer actors, designers, and production teams. We're also known for our provocative programming that makes us unique among community theaters.

Ruling year info

1990

Executive Director

Anne Hunter

Artistic Director

Susan E. Evans

Main address

123 E Water Street

Charlottesville, VA 22902 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

54-1527799

NTEE code info

Theater (A65)

Performing Arts Centers (A61)

Performing Arts Schools (A6E)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Register now

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview.

Login and update

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Mainstage Season

Each year, we present a compelling season of plays and musicals. Starting in 2023, we presented a multi-week festival of new works that attracted playwrights from across North America. We welcome students of all ages to our year-round classes and workshops, offer teen and young adult playwriting programs, and run award-winning youth summer camps that introduce young artists to all aspects of theater.
We support the development of local works and provide resources for volunteer-led groups including the Playwrights' Lab, Readers Circle, the Costume Guild, and the Scenic Tech Guild. And for more than 25 years, we have had the honor of providing tech support to high school and college theater groups performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland.

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Videos

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Priority One: Exceptional Experiences
Artistic Integrity: Produce high-quality theatrical experiences for the five-county Charlottesville community that honor our legacy for bold, provocative programming, reflect diverse perspectives and voices, and are relevant, challenging, engaging, and entertaining.
Expected Outcome:
An inspired Charlottesville community that uses the power of theater to reflect, engage, and connect.
A balanced season of plays that includes both familiar works and daring new plays by under-represented playwrights.
Artistic programming informed by community feedback.

Priority Two: Access for Everyone
Education: Expand the year-round theater education program for people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences in the five-county community.
Expected Outcome:
Expanded capacity to host more education participants and programs.
A broader range of our educational offerings that develop relevant skills and foster a love of the performing arts.
A tech talent pool fueled by forging a clear path from classroom to backstage.
Lower financial and transportation barriers to participation in education programs.
Expanded participation among youth in priority communities in summer camps and after-school programs.
Educational programming evaluated and informed by the community.

Priority Three: Thriving Culture of Inclusivity
DEI: Center the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of Live Arts.
Expected Outcome:
A culture of inclusion fostered at all levels and across every dimension of the organization, especially for newcomers.
Significantly increased engagement in priority communities.
A staff, Board, and volunteer corps that are reflective of the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of the Charlottesville community.
DEI initiatives evaluated and informed by the community.

Priority Four: Volunteers, The Heart Beat
Volunteer & Community Engagement: Attract, engage and retain a diverse, multi-talented volunteer corps capable of supporting a full season of theater production, educational offerings, and back-office operations.
Expected Outcome:
Technology used to better engage and track volunteers.
Volunteer corps growth to 1,400 individuals including production and technical volunteers.
Increased visibility in the Charlottesville region and beyond.
A volunteer program evaluated and informed by the community.

Priority Five: Dynamic Team Building
Staff & Board DevelopmentAttract and nurture a diverse, collaborative team of staff and Board members that embodies the values of the organization, believes in our vision, and is committed to advancing our mission.
Expected Outcome:
A diverse Board of Directors that is representative of the greater Charlottesville community and provides effective governance

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

Live Arts, Inc.
lock

Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan.

Subscribe

Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more about GuideStar Pro.

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Live Arts, Inc.

Board of directors
as of 04/22/2024
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Ernest Chambers

City of Charlottesville Teacher

Term: 2022 - 2024

Johannah Castleman

Independent Apparel & Fashion Professional

Ernest S. Chambers

Charlottesville Schools

Barbara Kessler

UVa School of Continuing and Professional Studies

Kelly Dowd

KPMG

Ckalib Nelson

S&P Global

Lizzy Ramey

University of Virginia Arts Development

Molly Bishop Shadel

University of Virginia School of Law

Larissa Sneathern

McGuireWoods

Derick Javon Williams

University of Virginia

Bonita Patton

Piedmont Family YMCA

Jennifer Love

Retired FBI

Jennifer Newell

Higher Education Executive

Miller Susen

Theater Educator, Director, Writer

Silas Byrne

Chief Investment Officer, Vesta Capital

Jacquelyn Nasca

Wilkinson Wealth Management Financial Advisor

Ashlee Thompson-Bellamy

Albemarle County Public Schools, Special Education & Student Services

Scott Dunn

Playwright, Comics Writer, Stage Manager

Rob Dunnenberger

Operation Manager, Virginia Film Festival/UVA Arts

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 3/19/2024
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 03/19/2024

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
  • We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
  • We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.