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OPUS DANCE THEATRE & COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
New York, NY · EIN 133548252 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A620 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · opusdancetheatrenyc.org
revenue
$1.8M
expenses
$1.9M
net assets
$-139K
employees
85
program ratio
88%
mission · from form 990

To promote the full spectrum of the Pan-African experience through performance and educational programs that enrich and empower the community.

profile · synthesized from sources

Opus Dance Theatre & Community Services Inc is a Harlem-based cultural organization founded in 1988 that promotes the Pan-African experience through dance, performance, and multidisciplinary arts education. It serves youth through in-school and community programs that integrate cultural expression with academic support, leadership development, and personal growth. The organization reaches thousands annually through performances, educational initiatives, and partnerships with New York City public institutions.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

ARISE Program
Comprehensive youth development initiative offering multidisciplinary arts electives including Dance Power, Drama, Martial Arts, Music as a Revolution, and Vocal-Creative Communication, aligned with state educational standards.
OPUS Arts in Education
In-school residencies and curriculum-based arts programs that integrate cultural expression with academic reinforcement and leadership development.
OPUS Dance Theatre Company
Professional performance ensemble presenting works rooted in African and diasporic traditions, offering training and touring opportunities for advanced students.
OPUS Drone Soccer Program
STEM-focused youth program providing hands-on experience in drone operation, programming, engineering, and teamwork, leading to leadership roles and technical skill development.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
    • Capacity building through cultural and institutional partnerships
      Maintains four international cultural partnerships and collaborates with eight or more major public and civic institutions to expand program reach and support cultural exchange and community programming.
  • Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
    • Delivering interdisciplinary educational programs for youth
      Provides intensive electives in creative writing, drama, martial arts, animation and media arts, digital storytelling, and character design. These programs align with New York State educational standards and use arts-based methods to enhance learning in ELA, self-expression, and nonverbal communication.
  • Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Developing youth leadership and teamwork skills
      Integrates leadership development into programs by assigning student roles such as team captain and coach, emphasizing mentorship, trust-building, and teamwork, particularly within the Drone Soccer program.
  • Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Offering after-school and community-based programming
      Provides after-school programs in movement and dance, fitness, sports, art, cooking, STEM, job readiness, adult education, and high school preparation through dedicated community spaces and partnerships with schools and civic institutions.
  • Aviation-Integrated STEM Education 1 activity
    • Operating STEM and technology-focused youth programs
      Runs an aviation and STEM program introducing youth to flight simulation and aerodynamics, and offers a Drone Soccer program where students build, program, and pilot drones. Provides hands-on technical training in drone hardware, soldering, programming, flight systems tuning, and flight physics, with access to equipment otherwise unavailable to participants.
  • Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
    • Operating a community arts facility in Harlem
      Manages a newly renovated Harlem facility with dance studios equipped with sprung floors, mirrors, and sound systems, an intimate black box performance space, and a multi-purpose room for workshops, meetings, and small gatherings available for rehearsals, classes, performances, and private events.
  • Youth & Community Chess Education 1 activity
    • Providing chess instruction to develop cognitive skills
      Offers a chess program that teaches strategic thinking, patience, foresight, and problem-solving skills as part of its youth education initiatives.
  • Ballet and Dance Education Programs 1 activity
    • Providing youth arts education through dance, music, and performance programs
      Offers rigorous dance training in Ballet, Modern, African, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, along with music education in percussion, piano, music theory, African drumming, and steel pan. Presents dance performances rooted in African and diasporic traditions and develops multicultural visual and performing arts curricula for schools and community institutions.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.82M
Contributions & grants$1.61M89%
Program service revenue$208K11%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$67
expenses
Total expenses$1.93M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.64M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$101K
Cash$69K
Investments$0
Liabilities$240K
Net assets$-139K
Liquid reserves0.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -41.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
James Grant CEO 50 $210K
board members · 6
  • Judge Patricia Henley — Board of Directors - Advisory
  • Larry Thomas — Treasurer
  • Laverne Barbara Ford — Secretary
  • Michael Flanigan — Board of Directors Member
  • Rogelio Francois — Board of Directors - Advisory
  • Williams Green — Board of Directors Member
relationships · 19

Who they work with

  • 21st Century Community Learning Centers Partner — Partnership supports delivery of A.R.I.S.E. programs in schools.
  • Administration for Children's Services Partner — Partners on youth development and community service initiatives.
  • Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Inc. Partner — James Grant, Founder and Executive Director of OPUS, previously served as business manager of the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Inc. Arts in Education/Ailey Camp department.
  • American Red Cross Partner — Collaborates on community-based programs and services.
  • American Red Cross Partner — Partner agency receiving OPUS arts programs and performances.
  • DYCD Beacon Program Partner — Delivers youth programming within the Brownsville Beacon Program under DYCD oversight.
  • David K. Partner — Rents rehearsal space at OPUS as an arts partner.
  • FHI 360 Partner — Collaborates with OPUS to deliver A.R.I.S.E. programs in schools.
  • Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Network — OPUS Dance Theatre is a member organization.
  • Harlem Arts Alliance Network — OPUS Dance Theatre is a member organization.
  • High School Engineering Club Partner — Referral and recruitment partner for student participation in the OPUS Drone Soccer Program.
  • James Grant Partner — Founder of Opus Dance Theatre, instrumental in establishing the organization's mission and programs.
  • NYC Department of Education Partner — Partner agency receiving OPUS arts programs and performances.
  • NYC Department of Youth & Community Development Government — Government agency partner supporting A.R.I.S.E. programs in schools.
  • New York City Administration for Children’s Services Partner — Partner agency receiving OPUS arts programs and performances.
  • New York City Department of Education Partner — Collaborates on educational and arts programming for youth.
  • New York Public Library Partner — Partner agency receiving OPUS arts programs and performances.
  • New York Public Library Partner — Partners on cultural and educational outreach initiatives.
  • Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation Partner — Partner agency receiving OPUS arts programs and performances.
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.

  • Arts-Based Youth Empowerment and Community Development
    methodology: arts-as-empowerment
    By integrating performing arts with youth development and cultural education, we build confidence, critical thinking, and community engagement, because artistic expression fosters identity, belonging, and real-world skill development—particularly when rooted in culturally affirming traditions like the Pan-African experience.
  • Culturally Rooted, Holistic Youth Development Model
    methodology: culturally_rooted_arts_education
    By grounding multidisciplinary programming in Harlem’s artistic legacy and Pan-African traditions, we strengthen youth identity and community connection, because culturally responsive education increases engagement, self-worth, and intergenerational continuity in marginalized communities.
  • Integrated Skill and Leadership Development Through Arts and Technology
    methodology: integrated-technical-and-leadership-development
    By combining technical training in arts and technology with structured leadership pathways, we enable youth to progress from learners to mentors, because integrating skill mastery with leadership roles reinforces responsibility, deepens learning, and builds workforce readiness.
  • LGBTQ-Affirming, Inclusive Creative Space
    methodology: lgbtq-affirming_space
    By intentionally creating safe and affirming environments for LGBTQ youth, we foster deeper participation and personal growth, because inclusion and psychological safety are prerequisites for authentic creative expression and community belonging.