irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $158KARTS ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION TO FOSTER ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY, CULTIVATE DIVERSE TALENTS, AND FOSTER A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE ARTS BY PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE ARTS EDUCATION, INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS, AND MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Arts Engagement and Education
Provides arts education programs for youth and community groups, fostering appreciation of live theatre through innovative and inclusive initiatives
Five Star Bank Broadway Season
Presents touring Broadway productions at Shea's Buffalo Theatre, with subscription packages and mobile ticketing options
Historic Tours
Offers guided and self-guided tours of the historic 1926 Shea's Buffalo Theatre, highlighting its architecture and cultural significance
Shea's Bistro & Bar
Provides full dinner service and themed cocktails during Broadway performances, enhancing the patron experience
Volunteer Program
Engages volunteers as ushers, concession sellers, and event staff across all three theatres to support performances and fundraising activities
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Historic Theater and Arts Venue Preservation 1 activity
- Conducting historic theater restoration using volunteer laborCompleted over $30 million in restoration work on the historic Shea's Buffalo Theatre over the past 20 years, utilizing volunteer labor to preserve the architectural integrity and cultural legacy of the 1926 venue.
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Event and Production Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
- Engaging volunteers in event operationsRecruits Usher Volunteers who commit to supporting at least 10 events per season at Shea's Buffalo Theatre, with approximately 90% also assisting at Shea's 710 Theatre, contributing to audience support and operational capacity across the performing arts campus.
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Performing Arts Venue Rental 1 activity
- Operating and managing a multi-venue performing arts campusOperates three distinct performance venues in downtown Buffalo: Shea's Buffalo Theatre (a 3,000-seat historic venue opened in 1926), Shea's 710 Theatre (a 558-seat thrust-stage venue), and Shea's Smith Theatre (a 237-seat flexible black box theater). Presents Broadway tours, local and international productions, comedy shows, and arts education programs across the campus.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Offering food, beverage, and hospitality services during performancesProvides full dinner service with prix-fixe menus and show-themed cocktails during Broadway performances at Shea's Buffalo Theatre. Operates Shea's Bistro and Bar adjacent to Shea's Smith Theatre, offering food and drinks to patrons. Sells gift cards redeemable for tickets, concessions, and dining across all three venues, including special group and luxury box seating options for parties of 10 or more.
- Providing accessible ticketing servicesOperates a central box office and venue-specific ticketing locations with extended hours on performance days. Offers in-person service Monday through Saturday with adjusted summer hours, and remains open two hours before performances through intermission at both the main campus and Shea's 710 Theatre. Provides wheelchair-accessible seating on the main level of Shea's Buffalo Theatre, though balcony access is limited due to historic preservation constraints.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$33.17M
Contributions & grants$3.19M10%
Program service revenue$29.63M89%
Investment income$185K1%
Other revenue$161K
expenses
Total expenses$31.41M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$7.36M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$35.65M
Cash$18.55M
Investments$8.45M
Liabilities$14.69M
Net assets$20.95M
Liquid reserves10.3 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +20.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN HIGGINS | PRESIDENT/CEO | 45 | $268K |
| JOHN F HERBERT | CFO/VP OF FINANCE | 45 | $171K |
| JOHN SCHALLER | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 45 | $132K |
| MEGAN RIZZUTO | CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER | 45 | $130K |
| ROBERT BRUNSCHMID | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 45 | $123K |
| KIM BOYLE | VP OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION | 45 | $120K |
| GUY TOMASSI | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF INDIVIDUAL GIVING | 45 | $108K |
board members · 18
- AMILCAR HILL — TRUSTEE
- ANDREW DAVIS — TRUSTEE
- CRYSTAL J RODRIGUEZ-DABNEY ESQ — TRUSTEE
- CYNTHIA RIPLEY — TRUSTEE
- DAVID FABIAN — TREASURER
- DONALD WARE — TRUSTEE
- DR MARYAM SALEEMI — TRUSTEE
- GERALD J WHALEN II — TRUSTEE
- HON DONNA SIWEK — TRUSTEE
- JAMES J EAGAN — CHAIRPERSON
- JOE ABOUZEID — TRUSTEE
- JOHN RUMSCHIK — TRUSTEE
- KEVIN B QUINN — TRUSTEE
- MARCO CERCONE ESQ — VICE CHAIRPERSON
- MEG QUINN — TRUSTEE
- PETER DE JESUS JR — TRUSTEE
- ROBERT J BRUNNER — TRUSTEE
- RUSSELL J MATUSZAK — TRUSTEE
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- 42 North at The Flats Partner — Offers $1 off to patrons who show a Shea’s souvenir cup from Shea’s Buffalo or Shea’s 710 Theatre
- Buffalo Chophouse Partner — Offers 15% off food to patrons who show a ticket from Shea's Performing Arts Center
- Curtiss Hotel | Chez Ami Partner — Offers 15% off food to patrons who show a ticket from Shea's Performing Arts Center
- Friends of Buffalo Theatre Partner — Formed to save the theater from demolition and led early restoration efforts, including securing National Register listing.
- Hyatt Regency Partner — Offers a package including overnight stay and meals for guests attending shows at Shea's Performing Arts Center
- Matinee Partner — Neighborhood partner of Shea's Performing Arts Center
- NFTA-Metro Partner — Public transit partner providing train service to Fountain Plaza Station near Shea's Performing Arts Center.
- Paramount Pictures Partner — Historic partner in operating Shea's Buffalo Theatre as a movie house
- Spotlight Committee Partner — Fundraising committee whose members volunteer to support performances and raise funds for Shea's Buffalo Theatre.
- The Bijou Partner — Neighborhood partner of Shea's Performing Arts Center
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.
- Community-Centered Arts Programmingmethodology: arts-education-and-community-engagementBy combining accessible arts education with collaborative programming involving local theatre companies, the organization cultivates broader community appreciation for the arts because inclusive partnerships and innovative formats lower barriers to participation.
- Inclusive and Intimate Performance Designmethodology: intimate_audience_engagementBy using a thrust-stage configuration with seating on three sides and flexible black box theater design, the organization enhances audience engagement and intimacy, fostering deeper connections to live performances because physical proximity and adaptable spaces increase emotional resonance.
- Volunteer-Driven Preservation Modelmethodology: volunteer-driven preservationBy engaging volunteer labor in large-scale historic theater restoration, the organization maintains community ownership and reduces operational costs, which enables sustainable preservation and programming.