irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $60K2024 OPERA ITHACA FESTIVAL:COSI FAN TUTTE BY WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART. THREE LIVELY PERFORMANCES OF THIS POPULAR COMIC OPERA.INVOLVED 6 PRINCIPAL SINGERS, 8 CHORUS SINGERS, 11 ORCHESTRA MUSICIAN'S AND 6 DIRECTORS, DESIGNERS, STAGE MANAGERS AND STAGE STAFF.APPROXIMATELY 160 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE 2 MAJOR FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES.
- #2 $10KAPPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM- THE OPERA ITHACA APPRENTICE ARTIST PROGRAM PREPARES EMERGING VOCALISTS ON THE PERFORMANCE TRACK, WITH A FOCUS ON CULTIVATING AND DEVELOPING TALENT IN NEW YORK STATE. ALL APPRENTICE ARTISTS ARE COMPENSATED, RECEIVE COACHING CLASSES, MENTORSHIP AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES. THIS PROGRAM SERVED 3 YOUNG ARTISTS AND ENGAGED 5 FACULTY AND CLINICIANS.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Apprentice Artist Program
Training program for emerging vocalists between formal education and professional careers, providing coaching, mentorship, performance opportunities, and compensation
Inside the Creative Process Program
Incubator series focused on developing women-driven operatic works and engaging the community in new work creation
Opera Ithaca Festival
Annual festival presenting major opera productions such as Così fan tutte, Rusalka, and You Said She Said He Said, featuring professional artists and apprentice performers
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Opera and Vocal Arts Training Programs 1 activity
- Apprentice Artist ProgramProvides emerging vocalists with coaching, mentorship, performance opportunities, and compensation through a structured training program; apprentices perform in supporting roles, chorus, and outreach events. The program supported 3 artists in 2024 and 7 in 2023, with support from 5 faculty and clinicians each year.
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Original Music-Theater and Opera Production 1 activity
- Community engagement and new work developmentHosts concerts, community events, and the "Inside the Creative Process" program launched in 2019 to develop women-driven operatic works and involve the public in the creation of new opera, including panel discussions on themes such as neurodiversity, disability, and sexuality in the arts.
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Professional Opera and Operetta Production 1 activity
- Production of operatic performancesStages operatic works from the classical repertoire, contemporary pieces, and world premieres, including productions such as Mozart's "Così fan tutte," Dvořák’s "Rusalka," and original works like "Billy Blythe" and "Bully Pulpit." Performances are held in Ithaca and occasionally in New York City, with audience sizes ranging from approximately 160 to 380 attendees at major events.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$187K
Contributions & grants$160K86%
Program service revenue$26K14%
Investment income$210%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$194K
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead30%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$51K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$40K
Cash$40K
Investments$0
Liabilities$35K
Net assets$6K
Liquid reserves2.5 mo
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue -21.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRETCHEN VAN VALEN | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 20 | $21K |
| BEN ROBINSON | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | 20 | $20K |
| LYNN CRAVER | APPRENTICE PROGRAM DIRECTO | 8 | $11K |
board members · 7
- ANDREW COVE — TREASURER
- CHARLES KRUZANSKY — BOARD MEMBER
- DEBORAH MONTGOMERY — PRESIDENT
- LARRY HARRINGTON — SECRETARY
- PATRICE PASTORE — BOARD MEMBER
- SALLY LAMB MCCUNE — BOARD MEMBER
- TIMOTHY DOWNS — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Austin Regan Partner — Performed in chamber music events featuring Molly Joyce's music as part of the 2023 Opera Ithaca Festival.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Government — Follows guidance established by the CDC for health and safety protocols.
- Community Foundation Funder — Provided financial support to Opera Ithaca.
- Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts Funder — Provided special thanks/support for the Tosca production in February 2018.
- Donald Spector Funder — Supported productions including Bully Pulpit and Song from the Uproar.
- Empire State Development Fund Funder — Provided grant funding to support Opera Ithaca's productions and projects.
- Gallery at South Hill Partner — Hosted an intimate concert featuring Opera Ithaca apprentice artists during the 2023 festival.
- Lynn Craver Partner — Interim Artistic Director overseeing the Apprentice Artist Program
- Metropolis Opera Project Partner — Collaborated on the NYC presentation of Tosca in February 2018.
- Mimi's Attic Funder — Received special thanks/support for the Tosca production in February 2018.
- Molly Joyce Partner — Collaborated on the creation and performance of her new song cycle "You Said She Said He Said" and participated in related chamber music events and discussions.
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provided grant funding to support Opera Ithaca's productions and projects.
- New York State Department of Health Government — Follows guidance from the New York State Department of Health for health and safety protocols.
- OPERA America Network — Professional Company Member of OPERA America
- Pinnisi and Anderson Law Firm Funder — Provided generous support for the Bully Pulpit production in January 2018.
- Schickel Construction Partner — Sponsored The Pirates of Penzance production in December 2017.
- Serendipity Catering Partner — Provided catering sponsorship for The Pirates of Penzance gala event.
- Six Mile Creek Vineyard Partner — Hosted an evening event featuring Molly Joyce’s music and discussion about her opera "You Said She Said He Said" during the 2023 festival.
- Stacia Zabusky Funder — Co-supported Bully Pulpit and Song from the Uproar productions.
- Tompkins Tourism Program Funder — Provided financial support to Opera Ithaca.
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 Development Through Immersive Apprenticeshipmethodology: career-preparation-through-immersionBy providing early-career vocalists with compensated performance opportunities, mentorship, and coaching, we develop professional readiness and sustain artistic talent in New York State because integrated training and real-world experience produce more resilient and skilled artists.
- Arts as a Catalyst for Social Dialoguemethodology: arts-and-social-dialogueBy integrating panel discussions on themes like neurodiversity, disability, and sexuality into opera programming, we deepen audience engagement because connecting artistic content to lived social experiences fosters empathy, critical reflection, and inclusive discourse.
- Community-Engaged New Work Developmentmethodology: community-engaged_new_work_developmentBy involving the community as active participants in the creation of new operatic works through an incubator model, we deepen relevance and ownership of the art form because co-creation builds trust, increases accessibility, and ensures diverse perspectives shape the narrative.
- Inclusive Repertoire and Gender Equity Programmingmethodology: inclusive_repertoire_programmingBy programming classical opera alongside new works by women composers and ensuring at least one opera by a woman is produced each season, we expand representation and challenge historical gender imbalances in the art form because equitable visibility fosters broader cultural legitimacy and audience connection.