irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $11KPROVIDE CINEMA SERIES WHICH PRESENTS MAJOR INDEPENDENT AND FOREIGN FILMS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CITIZENS OF FREDONIA AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Arts in the Afternoon
Presents theater productions, Metropolitan Opera broadcasts, art documentaries, and concerts on Saturday afternoons
Cinema Series
Shows independent, foreign, and documentary films on selected Saturday and Tuesday nights, including captioned screenings
Facility Rental Program
Offers the historic theater for rent at subsidized rates to community groups for recitals, meetings, weddings, and civic events
Folk in Fredonia Gilman Family Music Series
Presents grassroots music performances featuring both established and emerging artists in folk, bluegrass, and Americana genres
Notes from the Aisle Seat
Podcast hosted by Tom Loughlin exploring the visual and performing arts landscape of northern Chautauqua County
Spotlight Series
Hosts concerts with touring artists of international acclaim across various genres, aimed at broad audience appeal
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 3 activities
- Hosting live and satellite broadcast performancesHosts live and satellite broadcasts of major cultural productions including Metropolitan Opera performances (Live at the Met Series), National Theatre productions, global concerts, and international arts programming through series such as Arts in the Afternoon and Spotlight Series.
- Hosting special public events and tributesHosts special events such as live tribute performances (e.g., James Taylor music by James Gedeon), themed events based on popular television series, and concerts by national and international touring artists like Low Lily.
- Producing music performance seriesProduces and hosts multiple music series including Folk in Fredonia (featuring folk, Celtic, and roots-based music) and solo/small ensemble recitals using an on-site 1918 Steinway grand piano, with technical support provided.
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Historic Theater and Arts Venue Preservation 1 activity
- Operating a historic performing arts centerOperates a 390- to 402-seat historic theater in Fredonia, NY, with full sound and lighting, assistive listening, and accessibility features, hosting year-round public and private events including music, theatre, dance, cinema, lectures, weddings, and business meetings.
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Charity Event Organization 1 activity
- Organizing community fundraising eventsOrganizes and hosts the annual 1891 Run, a 5K Run/Walk event that includes bib pickup, swag bag distribution, T-shirts for early registrants, and awards medals to top finishers, with proceeds supporting the Opera House.
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
- Presenting film seriesPresents the Opera House Cinema Series featuring current-release independent, foreign, and documentary films on select nights, along with satellite-captured international art and architecture exhibitions.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Producing local arts podcastProduces and releases the biweekly podcast "Notes from the Aisle Seat," hosted by Tom Loughlin, which explores and covers local art galleries, performing arts organizations, and individual artists in northern Chautauqua County.
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Community Space Provision 1 activity
- Renting facility to community groupsRents the Fredonia Opera House facility at subsidized rates to local community groups for civic activities, amateur performing arts productions, seminars, workshops, and other private events, with technical support provided.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$454K
Contributions & grants$176K39%
Program service revenue$258K57%
Investment income$15K3%
Other revenue$6K
expenses
Total expenses$365K
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$193K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$907K
Cash$327K
Investments$228K
Liabilities$22K
Net assets$885K
Liquid reserves18.3 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -50.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 12
- CHRISTINA HERNANDEZ — DIRECTOR
- JANET GILMAN — PRESIDENT
- JIM HURTGEN — DIRECTOR
- JORDAN FRAZIER — DIRECTOR
- KEITH PETERSON — DIRECTOR
- KEVIN WAY — TREASURER
- MELISSA SORCI TAFT — DIRECTOR
- SHEILA HAHN — VICE PRESIDE
- STEVE JOHNSTON — DIRECTOR
- TODD MCCLENATHAN — DIRECTOR
- TRICIA SAVILLE — DIRECTOR
- VANESSA ORGAN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 36
Who they work with
- ArtDen Designs Partner — Sponsors the 1891 Run.
- Carmen Gilman Partner — Sponsor of the Folk in Fredonia Music Series at the Fredonia Opera House.
- Chautauqua Striders Partner — Partners with the Chautauqua Striders as part of their 2026 Runner of the Year Series.
- Chautauqua Today Partner — Sponsors the 1891 Run, as indicated by the linked sponsor logo.
- Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Government — Administers the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Cultural Initiative, which supports the Fredonia Opera House.
- Courier Capital, LLC Partner — Sponsors the 1891 Run.
- DFT Communications Partner — Sponsor of the Spotlight Series
- DFT Communications Partner — Sponsor of the Spotlight Series at the Fredonia Opera House.
- DFT Communications Partner — Sponsors the Spotlight Series at the Fredonia Opera House.
- Dan Allen Partner — Technical director responsible for supporting events and managing technical operations at the Opera House.
- Daniel S. Kaufman Partner — Co-underwriter of the Live at the Met Series at the Fredonia Opera House.
- Daniel S. Kaufman & Timothy W. Beaver Partner — Underwriters of the Live at the Met Series
- Dick Gilman Partner — Sponsor of the Folk in Fredonia Music Series at the Fredonia Opera House.
- Dr. James & Marcia Merrins Partner — Sponsors of the Arts in the Afternoon series
- Dr. James M. Merrins Partner — Sponsor of the Arts in the Afternoon series at the Fredonia Opera House.
- Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club Partner — Sponsors the 1891 Run.
- Fredonia Beaver Club Partner — Sponsors the 1891 Run.
- Fredonia Preservation Society Partner — Partnered in the mid-1980s to lead the nine-year restoration of the Fredonia Opera House.
- Gilman Family Partner — Sponsors The Folk in Fredonia Music Series
- Gilman Family Partner — Sponsors of the Folk in Fredonia Gilman Family Music Series
- Jeffrey G. Passafaro, Atty Partner — Sponsors the 1891 Run.
- Larson-Timko Funeral Home Partner — Sponsors the 1891 Run.
- Law Offices of Sheila Starkey Hahn Partner — Sponsors the 1891 Run.
- Lawley Partner — Sponsors the 1891 Run.
- Marcia Merrins Partner — Sponsor of the Arts in the Afternoon series at the Fredonia Opera House.
- Mark Brazill Partner — Dunkirk native and co-creator of That '70s Show, participating in a hosted conversation about the show's origins.
- Metropolitan Opera Partner — Partners to present live satellite broadcasts of opera from NYC.
- National Theatre Partner — Partners to present live satellite broadcasts of theatre from London.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides funding support for performances at the Fredonia Opera House with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
- North Chautauqua Dental Partner — Sponsors the 1891 Run.
+ 6 more
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.
- Equitable Access Through Affordability and Technologymethodology: affordable_accessBy offering low ticket prices and utilizing satellite broadcasts of major performances, the organization expands access to high-quality national and international arts programming, because cost and geographic isolation are key barriers to cultural participation.
- Historic Preservation as Cultural Accessmethodology: cultural_preservation_and_accessBy restoring and maintaining a historic theater, the organization increases access to performing arts and cultural events for communities isolated from major urban centers, because the landmark status enhances both regional identity and audience draw.
- Local Identity in National Storytellingmethodology: local-history-as-cultural-contentBy using local history and personal narratives as creative content, the organization connects regional identity to broader cultural conversations, because grounding art in community experience strengthens relevance and engagement.