A.R.T./New York | Alliance of Residence Theatres

Mission and Programs

The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York (A.R.T./New York) is the service and advocacy organization for New York City's not-for-profit theatre community.

Founded in 1972, A.R.T./New York assists its nearly 300 member theatres in managing their companies effectively so they may realize their rich artistic visions and serve their diverse audiences well. Over the years, A.R.T./New York has earned a reputation as a leader in providing progressive services to its members - from shared office and rehearsal spaces, to the nation's only revolving loan fund for real estate, to technical assistance programs for emerging theatres - which have made our organization an expert in the needs of the Off and Off Off Broadway community.

Management Training

The Nancy Quinn Technical Assistance Program is designed for small theatres with budgets of under $100,000 to teach the basics of financial management, marketing, fundraising, and organizational development. Through a series of workshops, roundtables, and one-on-one consultations, participating theatres are given the tools with which to effectively manage their organizations and build their audiences.

Harold and Mimi Steinberg Theatre Leadership Institute (TLI) provides theatre companies access to professional arts management consultants who help them address and overcome challenges facing their organizations as they approach critical junctures in their development. Each consultant has a long-term commitment to participating organizations and, by working one-on-one with the core leadership of each company, can ensure that upon completing the program, each theatre is stronger, more focused, and has the tools necessary for future growth.

The Roundtable Program brings together Ensemble theatres, as well as Artistic, Development, Managing, Technical, and Marketing Directors from similar-sized theatres to explore issues of common concern in a non-competitive environment.

Financial Services

A.R.T./New York offers three grant programs and two loan funds. Grant awards are determined by independent panels of theatre professionals, while all loan applications are reviewed by A.R.T./New York staff and the Board of Directors' Loan Committee.

The Nancy Quinn Fund, established in 1993 to assist members with budgets under $100,000, awards general operating grants ranging from $500-$2,000 to an average of 50 theatres each year. Since its inception, the Nancy Quinn Fund has provided more than $700,000 in cash grants to New York's smallest and most fragile not-for-profit theatre companies.

The JPMorgan Chase Fund for Small Theatres was created in 1998 to assist members with budgets between $100,000 and $500,000. This Fund provides these groups with the general operating support, and grant amounts range from $4,000-$7,500 and are awarded on an annual basis to an average of 30 companies. This season, additional support from the Booth Ferris Foundation allowed us to award more grants at higher levels to address our theatres' growing funding needs.

The Edith Lutyens and Norman Bel Geddes Fund provides cash grants to theatre companies with budgets of under $5 million to help them enhance a specific design element of an upcoming production. Grants ranging from $2,000-$18,000 are made to approximately ten theatres each year. Moreover, recipients of these grants may apply to the Tobin Theatre Arts Fund for additional funding to cover the designers' fees that are not covered by The Bel Geddes Fund.

The Elizabeth Steinway Chapin Real Estate Loan Fund, which is one of the nation's only loan funds specifically designated for theatre renovation, purchase, or construction. Since its creation in 1991, the Chapin Fund has made a total of 44 loans, and in 2009 the Fund surpassed the $4 million mark.

The Bridge Fund Loan Program offers two types of loans providing its members with assistance when they need it most:

> Short-term loans of up to $50,000 are available to full member theatres in good standing. The interest rate on these loans is at prime rate, and the term of the loan can be no more than six months. There are two types of short-term loans:

                    o Cash flow loans are made against receivables for which the loan applicant has proof that the money will be received within six months. These receivables can include a grant for which there is an award letter or signed agreement, Equity bonds, and government contracts.

                    o Bridge financing is available to applicants who do not have proof of a specific receivable, but have a realistic expectation of receiving income. For example, this loan could be used to bridge box office or benefit income.

The Emergency Fund makes grants to full and associate member theatres suffering financial hardship due to an unavoidable emergency. Because this fund's resources are limited, the maximum grant is $1,000, and funds are restricted to serve companies that have suffered a truly unforeseeable emergency.

Real Estate

A.R.T./New York currently provides 51,000 sq. ft. of low cost office and rehearsal space to the not-for-profit community. Approximately 15% of our total membership has their permanent offices at one of A.R.T./New York's two facilities: South Oxford Space and Spaces at 520.

South Oxford Space (SOS) is a 19,000 sq. ft. building in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, purchased by A.R.T./New York in 2000, which provides offices for 22 small and emerging arts groups, and includes access to shared resources such as a mailroom, fax and copy machines, and storage space. In addition, the building also has two rehearsal studios, which are rented by tenants as well as more than 100 local community artists and groups each year.

Spaces @ 520 is a 32,000 sq. ft. facility in midtown Manhattan that currently provides offices for 23 companies, in addition to A.R.T./New York's main office. Spaces @ 520 offers companies office and storage space, a shared copy machine and kitchen facilities, as well as priority access to its four rehearsal studios, one of which also doubles as meeting space.

A.R.T./New York is currently in the development of a third real estate project - the Theatres at Archstone-Clinton. In 2006, A.R.T./New York was invited by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs to build two theatres as part of the Archstone-Clinton development project at 53rd Street and 10th Avenue. Last year, A.R.T./New York began a partnership with the New York City Department of Design and Construction which will secure the necessary resources for the completion the architectural design and construction of the Theatres at Archstone-Clinton. Once completed in 2012, these theatres will provide affordable and accessible state-of-the-art theatre space to New York's small and mid-size member theatres as well as affordable rehearsal space for members of the not-for-profit theatre community.

Community Development and Advocacy

An advocate for the arts at the state and local levels, A.R.T./New York testifies at public hearings on issues that impact the theatre community, voicing concerns that otherwise would be left unheard. In 2008, A.R.T./New York recognized the growing concerns many arts organizations had resulting from the global banking crisis and ensuing recession, and worked closely with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs to present an in-depth symposium exploring the immediate and long-term impact the economic climate will have on New York's cultural community. As the economy recovers, A.R.T./New York is committed to advocating on behalf of New York City's not-for-profit theatres to ensure that the community receives adequate funding allocations from national, state, and local governments as well as private foundations and corporate philanthropy groups.