irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.14MARTISTIC SERVICES - REPERTOIRE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS, OPERA DISCOVERY AND COMMISSIONING GRANTS FOR NEW COMPOSERS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR COMPOSERS SUPPORT THE PRESENTATION OF NEW OPERA PROJECTS. A NEW WORKS FORUM CONVENES COMPOSERS, LIBRETTISTS, DESIGNERS, PRODUCERS AND PUBLISHERS TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT METHODS FOR ENSURING THE SUCCESSFUL CREATION AND PRODUCTION OF NEW OPERATIC WORKS. THE ONSTAGE PROGRAM IS A SERIES OF EVENTS OFFERING THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM AND INTERACT WITH MAJOR TALENTS WITHIN THE OPERA WORLD. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OFFER TOOLS AND ADVICE FOR SINGERS TO HONE THEIR SKILLS AND FURTHER THEIR CAREERS.
- #2 $657KOPERA AMERICA HOSTS AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND A RANGE OF WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS TO DISCUSS ISSUES, ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION AND EXPLORE THE VALUES THAT FORM THE FOUNDATION OF OUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Essentials of Opera Governance
Webinar series offering practical insights into effective board service for opera company trustees, featuring expert leaders from across the field.
National Opera Center
State-of-the-art rental facility in New York City providing audition, rehearsal, recording, and performance spaces for the opera community.
New Works Forum
Gathering of composers, librettists, designers, producers, and publishers to share knowledge on creating and producing new operatic works.
Onstage Program
Public events featuring major talents from the opera world, offering audiences opportunities to hear from and interact with artists.
Opera Conference
Annual conference bringing together opera professionals for workshops, seminars, and networking to discuss industry issues and foster collaboration.
Professional Development Programs
Programs offering tools and advice for singers and composers to hone their skills and advance their careers.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Professional Opera and Operetta Production 2 activities
- Hosts public events and performances (OPERA America OnStage)Hosts intimate performances and conversations with leading and emerging opera artists through its signature public programming series, OPERA America OnStage. Offers year-round public events at the National Opera Center and online broadcasts, with free or discounted tickets available for students and members.
- Organizes World Opera Day advocacy initiativeOrganizes World Opera Day as an international advocacy initiative to highlight the community impact of opera companies and artists, promoting the art form globally.
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Nonprofit Sector Research & Data Analysis 1 activity
- Conducts research on audience engagement in operaConducts and shares research on audience motivations, behaviors, and retention strategies with the opera field to support organizational effectiveness and audience development.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Convenes regional and topical gatherings for industry professionalsHosts free virtual regional meetings and recurring topical convenings, including network forums and webinars, open to opera industry professionals such as leaders, administrators, artists, and educators. These events require advance registration and focus on key industry topics.
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Performing Arts Production Support 1 activity
- Funds opera companies and new works through strategic grantmakingAwards grants totaling over $24 million in the past five decades to opera companies and artists across North America, with strategic funding focused on increasing new work, audience engagement, civic practice, business innovation, and inclusivity in the opera field.
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Professional Conference & Symposium Organization 1 activity
- Hosts annual Opera Conference for opera professionalsOrganizes the annual Opera Conference, the world's largest gathering of opera administrators, artists, trustees, and advocates, for professional development, networking, and knowledge sharing. The conference has been held regularly since at least 2015, with events documented through professional photography and including components such as the World Opera Forum.
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Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
- Operates the National Opera Center as a shared facilityOperates the National Opera Center in New York City, a state-of-the-art rental facility offering audition, rehearsal, recording, and performance spaces for the opera community. The facility hosts approximately 80,000 visitors annually and includes streaming and video conferencing technology to support remote collaboration.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Produces publications and communications for the opera fieldProduces a quarterly print publication and distributes regular email digests containing upcoming events, news, and sector-related information for individuals involved in or interested in opera. Also issues press releases to announce new initiatives, grant recipients, and organizational news.
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Member-Focused Advertising Services 1 activity
- Provides advertising and promotional services for opera organizationsOffers print and digital advertising opportunities for organizations and businesses in the American opera field to promote their work, rosters, programs, and products. Also displays posters of opera productions and events at the National Opera Center, reaching 80,000 visitors annually.
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Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Provides leadership and professional development programsOffers leadership development programs for opera administrators and career-stage support for professionals to strengthen management skills and build a talent pipeline in the North American opera field. Also conducts webinars and seminars on topics such as opera company governance, with recurring series designed for board members and trustees.
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Opera and Vocal Arts Training Programs 1 activity
- Supports artist development and career advancementProvides artist development programs for singers and other performing artists to refine their skills and advance their careers, including professional development programs for composers and librettists. Offers targeted support for women composers and composers and librettists of color to promote diversity in new operatic works.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$8.39M
Contributions & grants$4.38M52%
Program service revenue$2.63M31%
Investment income$1.10M13%
Other revenue$281K
expenses
Total expenses$8.32M
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising13%
Salaries & benefits$3.66M
Grants paid out$531K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$31.05M
Cash$1.54M
Investments$15.10M
Liabilities$14.68M
Net assets$16.37M
Liquid reserves24.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +14.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARC SCORCA THRU 122025 | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $380K |
| DANIEL COOPERMAN | CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER | 40 | $185K |
| KEVIN SOBCZYK | CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER | 40 | $153K |
| SUSAN SCHULTZ | FINANCE DIRECTOR | 40 | $141K |
| TODD PORTER | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $136K |
| JAMELAH RIMAWI | CHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER | 40 | $121K |
| ASTRID BAUMGARDNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $1K |
board members · 18
- AFTON BATTLE — DIRECTOR
- ALEJANDRA VALARINO BOYER — DIRECTOR
- ANA DE ARCHULETA — DIRECTOR
- ANDREW MORGAN — DIRECTOR
- ANGEL BLUE — DIRECTOR
- ANH LE — DIRECTOR
- ANTHONY DAVIS — DIRECTOR
- ANTONIO C CUYLER — DIRECTOR
- BARBARA AUGUSTA TEICHERT — DIRECTOR
- BARBARA LYNNE JAMISON — DIRECTOR
- CAROL F HENRY — DIRECTOR
- CHERYL SLAY CARR — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTOPHER KOELSCH — DIRECTOR
- E LOREN MEEKER — SECRETARY
- ESTEVAN RAEL-GALVEZ — VICE CHAIR
- GENE SCHEER — DIRECTOR
- HECTOR ARMIENTA — VICE CHAIR
- IAN RYE — TREASURER
relationships · 58
Who they work with
- American Opera Projects Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- Anchorage Opera Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- Annual Field Report Network — Publication providing data on the operational and financial health of the opera sector.
- Arizona Opera Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Charitable Foundation Funder — Generously supported the Regional Meetings program
- Bank of America Funder — Generous supporter of the Essentials of Opera Governance webinar series.
- Boston Lyric Opera Partner — Hosted the Boston Regional Meeting for OPERA America
- Boston Lyric Opera Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- Calgary Opera Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- Central City Opera Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- Chicago Opera Theater Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- Cincinnati Opera Partner — Founding member and current member of OPERA America's network.
- Cincinnati Opera Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- Des Moines Metro Opera Partner — Hosted the Des Moines Regional Meeting for OPERA America
- Detroit Opera Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- Houston Grand Opera Partner — Founding member and current member of OPERA America's network.
- Kentucky Opera Partner — Founding member and current member of OPERA America's network.
- LA Opera Partner — Hosted the Los Angeles Regional Meeting for OPERA America
- LA Opera Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- Lyric Opera of Chicago Partner — Hosted the Chicago Regional Meeting for OPERA America
- Lyric Opera of Chicago Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- Lyric Opera of Kansas City Partner — Founding member and current member of OPERA America's network.
- Minnesota Opera Partner — Founding member and current member of OPERA America's network.
- Minnesota Opera Partner — Participating opera company in the Opera Passport program offering ticket discounts to members.
- National Opera Center Partner — Operates the National Opera Center as a shared facility for the opera community.
- National Opera Center Partner — Provides facilities, recording technology, and resources for artist development programs.
- New Orleans Opera Partner — Founding member and current member of OPERA America's network.
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funding support for OPERA America's webinars in partnership with the City Council
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funding support for the OPERA America Onstage series in partnership with the City Council.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Supports programming at the National Opera Center with funding from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature
+ 28 more
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.
- Artist and Audience Engagement Through Accessible Formatsmethodology: artist_audience_engagementBy offering intimate performances and conversations with artists, and enabling regional access through subscription networks, Opera America increases public appreciation and lowers barriers to participation, because demystifying opera through personal connection and geographic flexibility expands audience diversity and deepens engagement.
- Data-Informed Field Strengtheningmethodology: data_informed_field_supportBy producing and disseminating field-wide data through publications like the Annual Field Report and The Field at a Glance, Opera America enables stakeholders to make strategic decisions about resources, programming, and policy, because transparent, reliable sector-wide intelligence improves organizational resilience and collective alignment.
- Field-Wide Convening and Collaborative Learningmethodology: peer_learning_and_conveningBy convening opera administrators, artists, trustees, and advocates through national and regional gatherings, Opera America strengthens the opera field through shared knowledge, collective problem-solving, and field-aligned priorities, because sustained peer exchange and expert-facilitated dialogue build practical capacity and cohesion across a fragmented sector.
- Strategic Grantmaking and Pipeline Developmentmethodology: strategic_philanthropy_and_pipeline_developmentBy providing targeted grants and leadership programs that support artists and professionals across career stages, Opera America builds long-term field capacity and equity, because investing in diverse talent pipelines and innovation strengthens artistic sustainability and organizational adaptability.
- Technology-Enabled Collaboration and Career Supportmethodology: technology_enabled_artistic_developmentBy leveraging state-of-the-art media technology and specialized facilities like the National Opera Center, Opera America supports artistic collaboration across distances and critical career transitions, because accessible infrastructure and virtual connectivity reduce isolation and extend the reach of training and creative development.