Overview
What is Near West Theatre Inc?
Near West Theatre Inc, situated in Cleveland, Ohio, is a community theater and a cornerstone institution of the Gordon Square Arts District. The organization prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity, serving marginalized and vulnerable populations. Its service model encompasses theater productions, educational programming, and community events. The theater presents four to five full-scale musical productions annually, with professional artists designing and directing the shows. The productions cater to various age groups, offering a choose-what-you-pay ticketing model to ensure affordability. The educational programming includes RISE, a free after-school arts enrichment program for local youth, focusing on developing both theater arts skills and social-emotional skills. Additionally, a summer technical theatre workshop introduces teenagers to basic skills required in theatrical production and well-paying careers. The theater also delivers workshops and long-term residencies in local schools and senior centers. Community events include the popular Historic Haunts, a spooky event in partnership with the West Clinton Block Club, now in its third year. Near West Theatre also hosts Drag Queen Story Hour quarterly, promoting acceptance and love, and provides safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Other community events and group hosting occur throughout the year. Near West Theatre aims to build loving relationships and engage diverse people in strengthening their sense of identity, passion, and purpose through accessible, affordable, and transformative theater arts experiences.
Official website here: www.nearwesttheatre.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: 92%, Four-Star out of Four Stars
Near West Theatre Inc has received a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating strong financial health and accountability. The organization scored 92% in the Accountability & Finance category, with all board members being independent and a lack of any material diversion of assets. It also maintains solid financial oversight, with a high program expense ratio of 80.66%, reflecting effective allocation of resources to its mission.
User feedback highlights the positive social impact of Near West Theatre on youth and the community. One donor praised the organization for not only delivering high-quality performances but also for fostering progressive values and character development in participants. This indicates that the theater successfully engages its audience and contributes meaningfully to personal growth within its community.
However, it is worth noting that while the organization has strong policies in place, it lacks a whistleblower policy, which could be seen as a limitation in its governance practices. Despite this, the overall financial and accountability scores suggest that Near West Theatre operates with a high level of integrity and commitment to its mission.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator and Great Nonprofits.
Is Near West Theatre Inc legitimate?
Near West Theatre Inc is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Near West Theatre Inc submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $155,409
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $328,927
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.nearwesttheatre.org
What is the mission statement of Near West Theatre Inc?
Near West Theatre Inc's mission is to foster loving relationships and engage diverse individuals, encouraging the strengthening of their identities, passions, and purposes through accessible, affordable, and transformative theatre arts experiences. They prioritize inclusivity and serve marginalized and vulnerable populations by offering a variety of productions, educational programs, and community events. Their productions, directed by professional theatre artists, cater to all ages and feature important themes and messages. Near West Theatre provides free arts enrichment programs for youth, focusing on both theatre arts skills and social-emotional development. They also offer technical theatre workshops for teenagers, introducing them to various career skills required in theatrical production. The theatre delivers workshops and long-term residencies in local schools and senior centers, utilizing trained teaching artists. Community events, such as the Historic Haunts and Queer Prom, provide safe spaces and promote acceptance and love for diverse groups.
Official website here: www.nearwesttheatre.org
Who is the CEO of Near West Theatre Inc?
Michael Obertacz is the Executive Di of Near West Theatre Inc.
Official website here: www.nearwesttheatre.org
What is the revenue of Near West Theatre Inc?
Near West Theatre Inc's revenue in 2023 was $1,278,273.
Official website here: www.nearwesttheatre.org
Who are the executives of Near West Theatre Inc and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Near West Theatre Inc during 2023 was $44,031. There are 11 employees and 200 volunteers at Near West Theatre Inc.
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Official website here: www.nearwesttheatre.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Near West Theatre Inc?
Near West Theatre Inc's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2023 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.nearwesttheatre.org
Learn more at the official website: www.nearwesttheatre.org
Mission Statement of Near West Theatre Inc
Near West Theatre Inc, a community theatre organization, is dedicated to building loving relationships and engaging diverse individuals in strengthening their sense of identity, passion, and purpose. This is achieved through accessible, affordable, and transformational theatre arts experiences. Near West Theatre prioritizes accessibility and inclusion, serving marginalized and vulnerable populations. The service model includes theatre productions, educational programming, and community events.
Through its productions, Near West Theatre offers a variety of full-scale musical productions in its mainstage theatre and black box theatre, with shows chosen for their audience appeal, quality, and important themes. The productions cater to all ages, with dedicated productions for specific age groups. Near West Theatre also employs a choose-what-you-pay ticketing model to ensure affordability for low-income residents and families.
In addition to productions, Near West Theatre offers educational programming to foster both theatre arts skills and social-emotional skills. The RISE program, introduced in 2017, is a free after-school arts enrichment program for area youth aged 8-15. Sessions run in 12-week cycles during the fall and spring semesters, culminating in a spring production. RISE focuses on developing theatre arts skills and improving participants' ability to succeed in school and with peer relationships through self-management, accountability, and problem-solving as a team.
Furthermore, Near West Theatre offers a 4-week summer technical theatre workshop for area teenagers, introducing them to basic skills required in theatrical production and other well-paying careers. These skills include carpentry, welding, video, special effects, scenic painting, and design. Near West Theatre delivers workshops and long-term residencies externally in area schools and senior centers, contracting with trained teaching artists.
Community events are also a significant part of Near West Theatre's mission. The organization launched the popular Historic Haunts in October 2021 in partnership with the West Clinton Block Club and has since become a signature event. Near West Theatre also hosts Drag Queen Story Hour quarterly, teaching acceptance and love while providing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and families. The theatre participates in various community programs in partnership with the Gordon Square Arts District and hosts various community groups in its facility throughout the year.
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Impact
October, 2024
Near West Theatre Inc significantly impacts the Cleveland community by fostering connection and collaboration among diverse populations through the transformative power of theatre arts. The organization prioritizes accessibility and inclusion, particularly serving marginalized and vulnerable groups, and builds loving relationships that enhance individuals' sense of identity, passion, and purpose.
Each season, Near West Theatre showcases four to five full-scale licensed musical productions, featuring professional theatre artists who design and direct the shows. These productions not only entertain but also convey important themes and messages that resonate with all ages. The unique "choose-what-you-pay" ticketing model ensures that low-income residents and families can experience high-quality theatre without financial barriers.
Through its educational programming, including the RISE after-school arts enrichment program, Near West Theatre nurtures youth aged 8-15, focusing on both theatre arts skills and social-emotional development. Participants gain valuable skills in a safe and supportive environment, improving their academic performance and peer relationships. Furthermore, the theatre offers a summer workshop for teenagers that introduces them to essential technical theatre skills, which can lead to well-paying careers in the arts.
Community events, such as the Historic Haunts and Drag Queen Story Hour, create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and families, promoting acceptance and love. Additionally, partnerships within the Gordon Square Arts District strengthen community ties and enhance cultural engagement.
Overall, Near West Theatre Inc serves as a vital anchor institution in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, enriching lives and fostering a strong sense of community through arts and creativity.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Near West Theatre Inc. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2023.
- Investment Income: $502
- Program Service Revenue: $162,236
- Gross Receipts: $1,322,466
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $7,340,627
- Total Liabilities: $162,330
- Net Assets: $7,178,297
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
BOX OFFICE AND PAYBILLS
Revenue
$94,245
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Revenue
$43,997
MERCHANDISE AND ADVERTISING
Revenue
$23,994
Organization Details
Founding Year
1978
Phone
(216) 961-9750Principal Officer
Michael Obertacz
Main Address
6702 DETROIT AVENUE, CLEVELAND, OH, 44102
Website
www.nearwesttheatre.orgNTEE Category
Code: A65 - Arts
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