named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Arts in Education
Provides free live performances by professional artists to K–12 students in the North Country region, including programs by Leland Faulkner, The Westerlies, and Theatreworks USA
Facility Rentals
Offers rental of the historic Clayton Opera House venue for private and public events
Summer Season and Year-Round Performances
Presents concerts, author talks, and performances by artists such as Robin Wall Kimmerer, Joe Bouchard Band, and Sister Hazel for regional audiences
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Performing Arts Production Support 1 activity
- Funding long-term sustainability of performing arts programmingEstablished the Thousand Islands Performing Arts Endowment Fund and dedicated support funds at the Northern New York Community Foundation to ensure permanent financial support and long-term sustainability of the Clayton Opera House and its programming.
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Community-Engaged Theater Production 1 activity
- Operating the Clayton Opera House as a nonprofit performing arts venueOperates the Clayton Opera House, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to provide performing arts programming and venue services. The organization manages ongoing operations and presents year-round programming in music, comedy, dance, theater, and children's performances.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Providing free live arts performances to K–12 studentsHosts free live performances at the Clayton Opera House for K–12 students from North Country schools, including educational shows such as Theatreworks USA’s Click, Clack, Moo and Leland Faulkner’s World of Wonder, often incorporating curriculum-connected themes and free educational materials.
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Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Renting event spaces for public and private eventsOffers year-round rental of two event spaces at the Clayton Opera House, including a main floor with removable seating that can be reconfigured for weddings, corporate gatherings, private parties, movie screenings, or performances.
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Historic Theater and Arts Venue Preservation 1 activity
- Securing long-term community use of the opera houseNegotiated a perpetual use agreement with the Town of Clayton in 2007, renewed every five years, to ensure the opera house remains a dedicated performance hall and community center.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$863K
Contributions & grants$310K36%
Program service revenue$479K56%
Investment income$59K7%
Other revenue$14K
expenses
Total expenses$860K
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising13%
Salaries & benefits$242K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.16M
Cash$119K
Investments$684K
Liabilities$165K
Net assets$993K
Liquid reserves11.2 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +6.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JULIE GARNSEY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $77K |
board members · 15
- ALEX BONEHAM — DIRECTOR
- ANGELA PICUNAS — DIRECTOR
- BETSY DUBOIS — VICE PRESIDENT
- FRITZ HAGER — DIRECTOR THOUGH APRIL 2025
- JANE NADOLSKI — DIRECTOR
- JANE O'NEILL — DIRECTOR
- JANET GREGWARE — SECRETARY
- JOAN TERENZETTI — DIRECTOR
- JUDITH MOWER — DIRECTOR
- KEITH WATSON — DIRECTOR
- LAURA CEROW — DIRECTOR
- NORMA ZIMMER — DIRECTOR
- RONNIE WADSWORTH — DIRECTOR
- SUSAN WHITNEY — PRESIDENT
- TIMOTHY LALONDE — TREASURER
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Allan Newell Partner — Sponsor of events at the Clayton Opera House.
- Community Bank N.A. Partner — Sponsors 2026 Arts in Education performances.
- Enchanted Edible Forest at Cross Island Farms Partner — Sponsor of events at the Clayton Opera House.
- Enchanted Edible Forest at Cross Island Farms Partner — Sponsors 2026 Arts in Education performances.
- Jade Stone Engineering Partner — Sponsors 2026 Arts in Education performances.
- NNY Community Foundation Partner — Supports the Arts in Education program through grant funding.
- North Shore Solutions Partner — Provides website software for the Clayton Opera House.
- North Shore Solutions Partner — Provides website software for the organization.
- North Shore Solutions Partner — Provides website software services for the organization.
- Northern New York Community Foundation Partner — Hosts TIPAF-specific support funds to sustain the organization's performing arts programming.
- Northern New York Community Foundation Partner — Partner organization that co-manages the Thousand Islands Performing Arts Endowment Fund.
- Save the River Partner — Co-presenter of events at the Clayton Opera House.
- Town of Clayton Government — Partnered with TIPAF to secure a perpetual use agreement for the Clayton Opera House as a performance hall and community center.
- Town of Clayton Partner — Partnership with contractual agreement for renovation and ongoing operation of the Clayton Opera House; Town owns the building and covers maintenance, repair, and utilities.
strategies · 5
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 in Education Outreach 120 orgsmethodology: arts_in_education_outreachBy delivering arts programming to K–12 students through a dedicated committee, the organization fosters early engagement with the arts and builds long-term audience development because early exposure increases lifelong cultural participation.shared approach: Art-Access as Engagement →
- Multi-Channel Access for Equity 120 orgsmethodology: multi-channel_accessBy offering multiple ticket access points—including online, phone, and in-person—the organization increases public accessibility to performances because diverse channels reduce barriers related to technology, mobility, and socioeconomic status.shared approach: Art-Access as Engagement →
- Endowment for Permanent Support 100 orgsmethodology: endowment_modelBy using an endowment fund model, the organization ensures permanent financial support for performing arts programming at the Clayton Opera House because endowed funds generate reliable income streams that protect against fiscal volatility.shared approach: Perpetual Endowment Model →
- Sustainable Programming via Multi-Source Funding 8 orgsmethodology: multi-source_funding_modelBy combining private contributions, earned income, and public support, the organization ensures financial sustainability and can focus on high-quality programming because diversified revenue reduces dependency on any single source and supports long-term planning.shared approach: Diversified Revenue for Sustainability →
- Community Partnership Co-Presentationmethodology: community_partnership_co_presentationBy co-presenting events with environmental and community organizations, the organization integrates cultural programming with local advocacy missions, thereby strengthening community engagement and expanding reach because shared missions increase trust and participation.