irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $04B) CHEZ BUSHWICK STUDIO CHEZ BUSHWICK, OUR FIRST OF MANY AFFORDABLE ARTSPACES (2002), IS SITUATED AT 304 BOERUM STREET 23, IN BROOKLYN'S 34TH DISTRICT. THE SPACE REMAINS CONSISTENTLY, SUSTAINABLY DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING THE LOCAL DANCE COMMUNITY THROUGH HIGHLY SUBSIDIZED REHEARSAL RENTALS STARTING AT 8/HOUR, MADE POSSIBLE BY GENEROUS FUNDING FROM: ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION , FORD FOUNDATION, NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS & DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS (DCA) CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FUND IN 2022, 15 ARTISTS WERE OFFERED 14-WEEK RESIDENCIES DEDICATED TO FOSTERING THE CREATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PERFORMANCE OF NEW WORK BY BOTH EMERGING AND MID-CAREER CHOREOGRAPHERS. OUR ORGANIZATION, WITH PEER PANEL SELECTION,PROVIDES ARTISTS UP TO 100 HOURS OF REHEARSAL SPACE DURING OFF- PEAK HOURS 7-11AM AND 7PM-12AM, MONTHLY PEER FORUMS, FEEDBACK, AND A PRESENTATION OF THE NEW WORK DEVELOPED DURING THE RESIDENCY. THIS NEW WORK MAY BE PRESENTED IN ANY FORM, AT ANY STAGE OF PROGRESS AT THE FINAL SHOWING. ANNUAL ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE ARE CURATED THROUGH AN OPEN APPLICATION PROCESS, AND FINAL SELECTIONS ARE CHOSEN BY AN INDEPENDENT PANEL OF INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS. APPLICATIONS WERE ASSESSED BASED ON EXISTING EXPOSURE OF THE ARTIST, THE QUALITY OF THE APPLICATION, THE WORK SAMPLE AND THE PROJECT PROPOSED.
- #2 $04C) CPR - CENTER FOR PERFORMANCE RESEARCH CPR, OUR SECOND OF MANY AFFORDABLE ART SPACES (2008), IS SITUATED AT 361 MANHATTAN AVENUE 1, IN BROOKLYN'S 34TH DISTRICT. THE SPACE REMAINS CONSISTENTLY, SUSTAINABLY DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING THE LOCAL DANCE COMMUNITY THROUGH HIGHLY SUBSIDIZED REHEARSAL RENTALS, MADE POSSIBLE BY GENEROUS FUNDING FROM: ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION, NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS, DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS (DCA) CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FUND CPR WAS CO-FOUNDED BY JONAH BOKAER AND JOHN JASPERSE IN 2008, AND BOKAER AND JASPERSE'S NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS CO-OWN 361 MANHATTAN AVENUE 1. ALSO IN BROOKLYN'S 34TH DISTRICT, AND DOWN THE STREET FROM CHEZ BUSHWICK, CPR'S SUBSIDIZED RENTAL ECONOMICS WERE DESIGNED BY JONAH BOKAER, WHO SERVED AS ITS FOUNDING PRESIDENT, SIGNATORY, AND GENERATOR OF AN ANNUAL SPRING BENEFIT. AN ACHIEVEMENT OF NOTE INCLUDES THE SUCCESSFUL PAYOFF OF THE MORTGAGE IN FULL FOR 361 MANHATTAN AVENUE 1.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Artist-In-Residence (AIR) Program
Provides emerging and mid-career choreographers with 75–100 hours of subsidized rehearsal space at Chez Bushwick, peer feedback, and a public presentation opportunity. Selected through an open application and peer panel review process.
Center for Performance Research (CPR)
Co-founded by Jonah Bokaer in 2008, CPR is a Manhattan Avenue-based performance space in Brooklyn that provides subsidized rehearsal space and supports the local dance community through sustainable, artist-centered programming.
Chez Bushwick Studio
Offers affordable rehearsal space in Brooklyn since 2002, with subsidized rental rates starting at $8/hour, supporting local dance artists through accessible, safe, and well-equipped facilities.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Artist-in-Residence ProgramRuns an Artist-in-Residence program three times per year, providing emerging and mid-career choreographers with 75–100 hours of free rehearsal space, peer forums, feedback, and a final public performance or showcase. In 2019, 15 choreographers participated in 14-week residencies.
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Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Diversity and Inclusion in Programming and HiringContracts artists and fills staff/crew positions with individuals from historically underrepresented groups in significant and representative proportions within its programming and workforce.
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Experimental Circus and Immersive Theater Production 1 activity
- Public Performance ProgrammingHosts and presents public performances including works-in-progress, established dance pieces, and curated performance series such as the Out-Front! Series and immersive experiences like "The Metamorphoses." Programming includes monthly salon events (RECESS) and specific performances such as "Community Exercises for Sanctuary Spaces" and Sarah Rose Dance.
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Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
- Subsidized Rehearsal Space OperationsOperates and provides affordable, subsidized rehearsal studio space in Brooklyn, NY, at rates as low as $8 per hour, funded by philanthropy since 2002. The space includes professional features such as hardwood floors, natural lighting, Wi-Fi, mirror walls, private restrooms, and projection equipment, and serves over 1,100 artists annually.
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Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
- Workforce Development ProgramOffers a 16-week workforce development program providing hands-on professional experience in arts administration and nonprofit operations for college, pre-college, and graduate students, across functional areas including programming, fundraising, marketing, and public relations.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.04M
Contributions & grants$907K87%
Program service revenue$17K2%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$116K
expenses
Total expenses$898K
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$49K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$822K
Cash$5K
Investments$0
Liabilities$445K
Net assets$378K
Liquid reserves0.1 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +24.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JONAH BOKAER | FOUNDING DIR | 40 | $30K |
board members · 11
- AARON LEVI GARVEY — DIRECTOR
- BENJAMIN COFFIN — DIRECTOR
- BRANDON MCNAMEE ESQ — SECRETARY
- BRENT SIKKEMA — DIRECTOR
- JEFFREY H JAMES — DIRECTOR
- LAWRENCE MOSS ESQ — DIRECTOR
- MICHELE GERBER KLEIN — DIRECTOR
- PATSY TARR — DIRECTOR
- PEGGY POLENBERG — VICE CHAIR
- SAMIR BITAR — TREASURER
- TIOMBE TALLIE CARTER ESQ — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 31
Who they work with
- 2wice Arts Foundation Funder — Institutional funder of Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation
- Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Funder — Provided funding to support subsidized rehearsal rentals at Chez Bushwick and the Center for Performance Research.
- Arnhold Foundation, Inc. Funder — Institutional funder of Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation
- Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS Funder — Institutional funder of Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation
- CPR (Center for Performance Research) Partner — Co-founded with John Jasperse in 2008 as a collaborative performance space.
- Center for Performance Research Partner — Co-founded with John Jasperse; JONAH BOKAER ARTS FOUNDATION co-owns the building and supports its mission of providing affordable performance space.
- Chez Bushwick Partner — Chez Bushwick is a branch or venue operated by JBAF for hosting special events and performances.
- Chez Bushwick Partner — Hosts the RECESS performance series at its Brooklyn location as a branch of JBAF.
- Cultural Vistas Partner — Institutional partner in the Workforce Development Initiative
- Diller Scofidio + Renfro Partner — Maintains an ongoing collaborative relationship with architect Charles Renfro of Diller Scofidio + Renfro on iterative artistic projects.
- FUSED Partner — Partner in the Artist-In-Residence program.
- Ford Foundation Funder — Provided funding to support subsidized rehearsal rentals at Chez Bushwick.
- Georgia Institute of Technology Partner — Institutional partner in the Workforce Development Initiative
- Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Rennes Partner — Institutional partner in the Workforce Development Initiative
- Katonah Museum of Art Partner — Collaborated with the Katonah Museum of Art to present a performance responding to its architecture and sculpture garden.
- Korea West Partner — Institutional partner in the Workforce Development Initiative
- NYSCA – New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Institutional funder of Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation
- National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Institutional funder of Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provided funding through the Cultural Development Fund to support subsidized rehearsal rentals at Chez Bushwick and the Center for Performance Research.
- New York State Council for the Arts Funder — Provided funding to support subsidized rehearsal rentals at Chez Bushwick and the Center for Performance Research.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Funder supporting JBAF’s programs with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Primary public funder supporting JBAF's programs through state arts funding.
- New York University Partner — Institutional partner in the Workforce Development Initiative
- Pioneers Go East Collective Partner — Collaborated to curate the Out-Front! Series.
- Sarah Lawrence College Partner — Institutional partner in the Workforce Development Initiative
- Sciences Po Rennes Partner — Institutional partner in the Workforce Development Initiative
- Skidmore College Partner — Institutional partner in the Workforce Development Initiative
- The Hudson Eye Partner — Incubates an annual arts festival in Hudson, NY through Space 428 Hudson.
- Université de Nantes Partner — Institutional partner in the Workforce Development Initiative
- Villa Albertine Partner — Partner in the Artist-In-Residence program, supporting the residency of Nidal Abdo and Collective Nafass.
+ 1 more
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-Centered Dialogue for Creative Experimentationmethodology: artist-centered dialogue platformBy creating intimate, salon-style formats that integrate audience-performer dialogue, we foster artistic experimentation and engagement, because direct feedback loops in safe environments enhance creative risk-taking and deepen audience connection.
- Equitable and Inclusive Artist Access and Selectionmethodology: intersectional_inclusionBy using open, peer-reviewed selection and direct, chronological booking practices, we ensure fair and equitable access to resources for underrepresented artists, because transparent, anti-racist, and intersectional inclusion processes counter systemic exclusion in the arts.
- Integrated Arts Support Modelmethodology: integrated arts_support_modelBy combining subsidized infrastructure, public programming, community engagement, and direct production support, we sustain interdisciplinary live performance, because integrated resources lower barriers to creation and increase artistic viability.
- Residency with Showcase to Advance Artist Developmentmethodology: residency-with-showcaseBy providing long-term access to free rehearsal space paired with public performance opportunities, we advance emerging artists' creative development, because public presentation increases visibility, builds professional momentum, and enables iterative feedback.