named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Environmental Documentaries Series
Film series featuring documentaries like "Seed: The Untold Story" and "Chasing Ice," paired with expert speakers to teach students about environmental conservation and sustainability.
Field Trips
Educational film screenings for students in grades 3-12, aligned with curricular themes such as environmental science, Black history, women's history, and foreign language learning, often accompanied by guest speakers or interactive lessons.
Foreign Language Films
Screenings in French, Spanish, and Italian for language learners, supporting LOTE (Languages Other Than English) classes with authentic cultural content.
Teacher's Center
Professional development program offering workshops on media literacy, free monthly screenings for teachers, and resources to integrate film into classroom instruction.
World of Cinema & Culture
Program showcasing international films such as "The Eagle Huntress" and "Liyana" to expose students to diverse cultures and global perspectives through storytelling.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 2 activities
- Hosting film discussions and guest-led programsOrganizes public film discussion programs focused on specific genres, movements, or films, often featuring guest speakers such as Professor Peter Mascuch. These events are offered to the public with member discounts and are sometimes tied to specific screenings or series.
- Screening films and live performancesHosts screenings of mainstream, independent, and foreign films, as well as live captures of operas and plays from world stages. Also screens special events such as musical theater broadcasts and curated film series, including the "A250 Film Series" highlighting American resilience and values.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Hosting acting and performance workshops for youthConducts introductory acting workshops for students aged 8–14 that include stage and on-camera techniques, ensemble-building games, and immediate playback of performances for review using the Plaza’s cinema screen.
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Offering youth and teacher education programsProvides educational field trips for middle and high school students, including film screenings and interactive programming. Offers media literacy instruction aligned with Common Core standards, in-school programs, and professional development workshops for teachers, including sessions on Superintendent Conference Days.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Providing filmmaking and animation educationOffers classes, workshops, and individualized instruction in filmmaking and animation for students of all ages and skill levels, covering traditional, digital, and stop-motion animation, as well as documentary filmmaking and film editing. Students create short films and present them in screening events.
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Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Renting venue for private events and screeningsOffers rental services for the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center for private events, including private screenings and other gatherings.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$326K
Contributions & grants$150K46%
Program service revenue$176K54%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$340K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$174K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$143K
Cash$109K
Investments$0
Liabilities$43K
Net assets$100K
Liquid reserves3.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +10.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catherine Oberg | Executive Dir. | 40 | $101K |
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- 3 Stage Studios Productions Partner — Collaborates with 3 Stage Studios Productions for instruction in the introductory acting workshop.
- Art House Convergence Network — Member of the Art House Convergence, an international consortium supporting independent cinemas.
- CNN Films Partner — Co-produced the documentary RBG shown at Plaza MAC.
- Campbell Dalglish Partner — Tenured professor of film and co-founder of the Plaza Cinema who participates in programming and writes film reviews for the Long Island Advance.
- Eastern Suffolk BOCES Partner — Collaborates with The Plaza to deliver an in-school media literacy program.
- Isabella Rossellini Partner — Hosted a student documentary filmmaking class at her farm in Brookhaven, NY.
- Isabella Rossellini Partner — Serves as Honorary Trustee of Plaza Media Arts Center Inc.
- National Geographic Partner — Distributes films featured in educational programming at The Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center.
- St. Joseph’s University Partner — Collaborates with faculty member Professor Peter Mascuch for film discussions.
- Storyville Films Partner — Co-produced the documentary RBG shown at Plaza MAC.
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.
- Experiential Media Arts Educationmethodology: experiential_arts_educationBy engaging students in hands-on animation, documentary production, and genre analysis, we develop technical skills and critical voices, because experiential learning in media arts fosters personal expression, collaboration, and long-term interest in creative fields.
- Film-Based Critical Engagementmethodology: film-and-discussionBy combining film screenings with facilitated discussions and expert dialogue, we deepen audience understanding and critical reflection on social, cultural, and historical themes, because engagement through narrative media enhances receptivity to complex ideas.
- Youth Development Through Out-of-School Creative Programsmethodology: out_of_school_programsBy offering media arts education outside the formal school environment, we support social-emotional growth, cultural awareness, and academic success, because creative skill-building in a flexible, community-based setting strengthens student engagement and identity development.