named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
The Silent Clowns Film Series
Monthly screenings of classic silent comedies with live musical accompaniment by Ben Model, hosted and introduced by film historians Ben Model and Steve Massa, followed by audience Q&A sessions
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 2 activities
- Hosts monthly silent film screenings with live musical accompanimentPresents monthly, year-round showings of silent comedies by Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, Harold Lloyd, and others, featuring live musical accompaniment for diverse audiences including adults, seniors, and children. Screenings take place at Symphony Space in Manhattan and Cobble Hill Cinemas in Brooklyn, making it the longest-running regularly scheduled showcase for classic silent film comedy in New York City.
- Offers educational programming with film historiansHosts film introductions and Q&A sessions after each screening led by film historians Ben Model and Steve Massa, enhancing audience engagement and providing historical context for silent films.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Produces promotional materials to support film series outreachSends monthly emails and distributes a printed brochure three times per year to promote upcoming film series events and increase public awareness.
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Equitable Access Admission Programs 1 activity
- Provides audience access through admission pricing and membership programsOffers film screenings at set admission prices and a membership program that provides free admission to all screenings. Also participates in the Museums for All program, offering $2.00 admission to individuals enrolled in SNAP to expand access for underserved audiences.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$36K
Contributions & grants$33K90%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$41K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$1K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$1K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -16.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Model | Producer Accompanist | 5 | $8K |
| Marlene Weisman Abadi | Graphic Designer | 3 | $5K |
| Steve Massa | Film Historian | 3 | $5K |
| Crystal Kui | Associate Producer | 2 | $4K |
| Lydia Edwards | Correspondence Editor | 1 | $1K |
board members · 5
- Alice Artzt — Member at large on Board of Directors
- Janet Heit — Member at Large on the Board of Directors
- Mike Abadi — Member at Large on Board of Directors
- Robert Arkus — President of the Board
- Yair Solan — Secretary of the Board
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- Cobble Hill Cinemas Partner — Co-presenter venue for film series in Brooklyn
- Cobble Hill Cinemas Partner — Venue hosting film screenings for The Silent Clowns Film Series
- Cobble Hill Cinemas Partner — Venue partner hosting screenings of the Silent Clowns Film Series in Brooklyn.
- Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space Partner — Venue hosting film screenings for The Silent Clowns Film Series
- Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space Partner — Venue partner hosting screenings of the Silent Clowns Film Series in Manhattan.
- Museums for All Network — Participating organization in the Museums for All access program
- Museums for All Network — Participating organization in the Museums for All program, offering reduced admission to SNAP recipients.
- PayPal Partner — Processes online donations for the organization.
- Symphony Space Partner — Current presenting venue for film series in Manhattan
strategies · 3
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.
- Contextualized Film Presentation to Address Historical Biasmethodology: contextualized film presentationBy providing historical context and facilitating post-screening dialogue, the organization helps audiences critically engage with cultural prejudices in silent-era films, fostering informed viewership because contextualization transforms potentially harmful content into educational opportunities.
- Live Musical Accompaniment for Authentic Engagementmethodology: live-accompanied-screeningsBy presenting silent films with live musical accompaniment, the organization recreates the historical viewing experience, which enhances audience immersion and fosters intergenerational engagement because authenticity deepens connection and emotional resonance.
- Membership Model to Sustain Access and Engagementmethodology: membership_modelBy offering free access through a membership model, the organization builds community ownership and financial sustainability, which drives recurring engagement because lowering financial barriers while offering meaningful participation roles strengthens supporter investment.