named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Albany Med Health System at SPAC Live Nation
Concert series presenting major national touring artists across genres including pop, rock, country, and hip-hop
CulinaryArts@SPAC
Food-and-drink-forward series featuring local and visiting chefs, cookbook authors, and culinary experts; emphasizes sustainability, local procurement, and community connection
Philadelphia Orchestra Residency
Annual summer residency featuring performances of classical works, including the annual Tchaikovsky Spectacular with fireworks
activities · 6 groups
What they do
-
Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
- Delivering arts education programsProvides arts education through the SPAC School of the Arts and in-school residencies, workshops, and family events, reaching over 50,000 students annually. Offers classes in music, theater, and dance for individuals of all ages and abilities, with sensory-inclusive certification through KultureCity.
-
-
Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
- Hosting literary arts eventsOrganizes free public literary events featuring conversations with renowned authors, poets, journalists, and thought leaders. Past events have included appearances by Presidential Inaugural Poet Richard Blanco and themed discussions on cuisine, identity, and culture.
-
-
Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Hosting multidisciplinary cultural programmingProduces multidisciplinary events beyond traditional performance, including culinary, literary, healing, and visual arts initiatives. Presents rotating visual art exhibitions across the SPAC campus and hosts Caffè Lena @ SPAC programming.
-
-
Performing Arts Venue Rental 1 activity
- Operating a multi-use performing arts venueOperates an outdoor amphitheater in Saratoga Springs, NY, with a total capacity of 25,000 (5,200 sheltered seats and 20,000 lawn), serving as a year-round venue for artistic, educational, and community events. Also completed construction of The Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage, establishing a second performance space on campus.
-
-
Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Presenting live artistic performancesHosts year-round live performances across genres including classical, jazz, dance, pop, and world music at its amphitheater and Spa Little Theater in Saratoga Springs, NY. Features resident companies such as New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the Saratoga Jazz Festival, alongside concerts co-presented with Live Nation.
-
-
Food System Convening & Public Engagement 1 activity
- Producing culinary arts eventsHosts the CulinaryArts@SPAC series featuring food-and-drink experiences centered on sustainability, community connection, and cultural exploration. Events include tastings, chef collaborations with regional producers, and conversations with cookbook authors and culinary experts.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$16.40M
Contributions & grants$6.85M42%
Program service revenue$5.47M33%
Investment income$1.06M6%
Other revenue$3.02M
expenses
Total expenses$15.60M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$5.31M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$36.13M
Cash$6.90M
Investments$14.04M
Liabilities$7.49M
Net assets$28.65M
Liquid reserves16.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +7.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH SOBOL | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 60 | $656K |
| LESLIE COLEMAN-SMITH | GENERAL MANAGER | 60 | $271K |
| EDWARD JAY LAFOND CPA | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 60 | $196K |
| DENNIS MOENCH | VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION | 50 | $144K |
| CHRIS SHILEY | VICE PRESIDENT, ARTISTIC P | 50 | $142K |
| KRISTEN GODETTE VENTRE | VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS | 50 | $121K |
| ROBERT MINK | STAGE HAND | 50 | $100K |
board members · 18
- ANDREA SPUNGEN — DIRECTOR
- ANTHONY R IANNIELLO ESQ — DIRECTOR
- CARL DEBRULE — VICE CHAIR
- CHARLES WAIT JR — CHAIR
- CHET OPALKA — DIRECTOR
- CHRIS MACKEY — DIRECTOR
- CJ DECRESCENTE — DIRECTOR
- DONALD J MCCORMACK — DIRECTOR
- DR L OLIVER ROBINSON — DIRECTOR
- ELEANOR K MULLANEY — DIRECTOR
- GEORGE R HEARST III — DIRECTOR
- GERALDINE GOLUB — DIRECTOR
- GRANT WILSEA — DIRECTOR
- HEATHER MABEE — DIRECTOR
- JASON WARD — DIRECTOR
- JEFFERY RIDHA — DIRECTOR
- JUDY HARRIGAN — SECRETARY
- KEELEY ARDMAN DESALVO — DIRECTOR
relationships · 41
Who they work with
- Albany Med Health System Partner — Named partner associated with SPAC Live Nation events, likely through sponsorship or community health initiatives.
- Caffè Lena Partner — Collaborates on programming through Caffè Lena @ SPAC
- Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Partner — Presents performances at Spa Little Theater as part of SPAC’s year-round programming.
- Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Partner — Resident company partnering with SPAC since 2013 to present chamber music programming
- Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Partner — Resident company performing at SPAC
- Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Partner — Resident company presenting chamber music concerts at SPAC since 2013.
- Collar City Mushrooms Partner — Partnered with chefs and experts from Collar City Mushrooms for CulinaryArts@SPAC events.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Saratoga Springs Partner — Preferred hotel partner of Saratoga Performing Arts Center
- GE Vernova Funder — Title sponsor of the Saratoga Jazz Festival beginning in 2025
- Hampton Inn & Suites Saratoga Springs Partner — Preferred hotel partner of Saratoga Performing Arts Center
- Hattie’s Albany Partner — Collaborated with Mark Graham, Executive Chef of Hattie’s Albany, for a culinary event.
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Saratoga Springs Partner — Preferred hotel partner of Saratoga Performing Arts Center
- Hyatt Place Saratoga Springs Partner — Preferred hotel partner of Saratoga Performing Arts Center
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Saratoga Springs Partner — Preferred hotel partner of Saratoga Performing Arts Center
- Live Nation Partner — Co-presents concerts at SPAC under the "Albany Med Health System at SPAC Live Nation" banner.
- Live Nation Partner — Collaborates with Live Nation to present events at SPAC, including shared venue operations and ground rules.
- Live Nation Partner — Partner organization presenting concerts at SPAC
- Live Nation Partner — Presents concerts in the SPAC amphitheater.
- Live Nation Partner — Promotes concerts at SPAC
- Live Nation Entertainment Partner — Presenting partner for concerts and events at SPAC.
- New York City Ballet Partner — Artistic partner and summer resident company since SPAC's opening in 1966.
- New York City Ballet Partner — Longstanding resident company presenting annual performances since 1966
- New York City Ballet Partner — Performs at SPAC as part of its live performance programming.
- New York City Ballet Partner — Resident company performing at SPAC
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Funder supporting the summer residencies of New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC.
- Preferred Hotel Partners Partner — Collaborates with local hotels to provide lodging options for guests attending SPAC events.
- Residence Inn Saratoga Springs Partner — Preferred hotel partner of Saratoga Performing Arts Center
- Saratoga Jazz Festival Partner — Resident company performing at SPAC
- Saratoga Tea & Honey Partner — Featured Hayley Stevens of Saratoga Tea & Honey in CulinaryArts@SPAC events.
- SpringHill Suites Saratoga Springs Partner — Preferred hotel partner of Saratoga Performing Arts Center
+ 11 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Artist-Centered Venue Designmethodology: artist-driven-venue-designBy co-designing performance spaces with founding artistic partners, leading musicians, and dance ensembles, the organization optimizes acoustics, stage design, and flooring to meet precise artistic needs because aligning physical infrastructure with artistic expertise enhances performance quality and audience experience.
- Arts as Community Engagement and Transformationmethodology: arts-for-community-engagementBy presenting vibrant, multidisciplinary artistic experiences that integrate literary, culinary, healing, visual, and performing arts within a natural setting, the organization fosters community connection, education, and inspiration because shared aesthetic and cultural experiences produce transformative social impact.
- Inclusion, Equity, and Representation in Programmingmethodology: inclusion-diversity-equity-accessBy intentionally elevating marginalized and underrepresented communities in programming, marketing, and education, the organization increases access and representation because equitable inclusion of diverse voices strengthens community relevance and deepens audience engagement.
- Sustainability-Integrated Culinary Arts Programmingmethodology: sustainable-local-food-systemsBy integrating sustainable food practices—such as local procurement, fair wages, and responsible consumption—into culinary events and chef collaborations, the organization advances socially conscious engagement because linking food systems to the arts reinforces environmental stewardship and community well-being.