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ARIZONA OPERA COMPANY

PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 237169261 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE A6A0 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Large ($10M-$50M) · www.azopera.org
revenue
$12.0M
expenses
$8.0M
net assets
$10.8M
employees
287
volunteers
130
program ratio
74%
mission · from form 990

ARIZONA OPERA ELEVATES THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF STORYTELLING THROUGH MUSIC - CULTIVATING COMMUNITY AND STRENGTHENING A STATE AND PEOPLE AS ADVENTUROUS AND DIVERSE AS THE PLACE THEY CALL HOME.

profile · synthesized from sources

Arizona Opera is an operational arts organization founded in 1971, dedicated to connecting and inspiring communities through artistically vibrant opera productions. It presents a blend of traditional and contemporary works, alongside educational and community engagement programs, primarily serving audiences across Arizona.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $76K
    "The Copper Queen" was originally slated to be performed in theatre, but was delayed due to the pandemic. Instead of canceling the production altogether, AZO chose to reimagine the show as the company's first film project, which was filmed during FY2021. "The Copper Queen" premiered on Harkins movie screens in both Phoenix and Tucson in fall 2021 for a weeklong+ run, in addition to streaming on Arizona Opera's online platform "Arizona Opera OnDemand," where it has reached approximately 1,000 views to date. "The Copper Queen" is not only AZO's first film project, but it is also the company's second world premiere commission, focusing on the Arizona story of the famously haunted Bisbee hotel of the same name. It is a wonderful introduction to opera for new audiences and seasoned opera-lovers alike and is continuing to extend international awareness of Arizona Opera's work through additional screenings at film festivals.
named programs · 11 · from sources

what they call their work

Arizona Opera Gala
Annual fundraising and celebration event
Arizona Spark Commissioning Club
A club founded by Dr. Judith G. Wolf to encourage the development of new operas and support contemporary work.
Community Engagement and Education Programs
Initiatives designed to foster learning and engagement beyond the stage, connecting with the community.
Mainstage Productions
Fully-staged opera productions featuring a blend of traditional repertoire, turn-of-the-century masterpieces, operettas, and American operas.
Marion Roose Pullin Studio
Yearlong artist development program for emerging opera singers, including performance opportunities, coaching, language training, and community engagement
Marlu Allan and Scott Stallard Family Series
Family-oriented series featuring productions like The Pirates of Penzance
McDougall Arizona Opera Fall Series
Fall programming series featuring fully-staged productions such as Scalia/Ginsburg and El Gato con Botas
New Work Festival
A festival dedicated to the development and presentation of new operatic works, with performances in Phoenix and Tucson.
New Works Festival
Annual festival in April featuring performances of new operatic works in Phoenix and Tucson
Studio Series
New intimate performance series showcasing emerging artists from the Marion Roose Pullin Studio
Tucson Desert Song Festival Collaboration
Ongoing recital collaboration with the Tucson Desert Song Festival and academic partners
activities · 2 groups

what they do

  • Opera Production and Performance 5 activities
    • Produce and Present Opera Performances
      Produces four fully-staged operatic productions annually, including contemporary works, classics, and family-friendly programming, in Phoenix and Tucson. Since its inception, the organization has produced over 200 fully-staged operas and concerts.
    • Produce and Present Opera Performances
      Produces four fully-staged operatic productions annually, including contemporary works, classics, and family-friendly programming, in Phoenix, Tucson, and other locations across Arizona. Since its inception, the organization has produced over 200 fully-staged operas and concerts, including two complete Ring Cycles by Wagner.
    • Produce and Present Opera Performances
      Produces four fully-staged operatic productions annually, including contemporary works, classics, and family-friendly programming, in Phoenix and Tucson. Since its inception, the organization has produced over 200 fully-staged operas and concerts.
    • Produce and Present Opera Performances
      Produces four fully-staged operatic productions annually, including contemporary works, classics, and family-friendly programming, in Phoenix and Tucson. Since its inception, the organization has produced over 200 fully-staged operas and concerts.
    • Produce and present opera performances
      Produces four fully-staged operatic productions annually in Phoenix and Tucson, featuring classics, contemporary works, and family-friendly programming, with performances also held in other locations across Arizona. Since 1971, has produced over 200 fully-staged operas and concerts, including major works such as Wagner’s complete Ring Cycle and productions like "Madama Butterfly" featuring leading national artists.
  • Uncategorized 16 activities
    • Deliver Educational and Community Programs
      Offers educational programs and community initiatives that extend beyond stage performances, reaching over 50,000 Arizonans statewide to foster mutual discovery and engage communities through music and storytelling.
    • Deliver Educational and Community Programs
      Offers educational programs and community initiatives that extend beyond stage performances, reaching over 50,000 Arizonans statewide to foster mutual discovery and engage in storytelling through music.
    • Deliver Educational and Community Programs
      Offers educational programs and community initiatives that extend beyond stage performances, reaching over 50,000 Arizonans statewide to foster mutual discovery and engage communities through music and storytelling.
    • Deliver Educational and Community Programs
      Offers educational programs and community initiatives that extend beyond stage performances, reaching over 50,000 Arizonans statewide to foster mutual discovery and connect communities through music and storytelling.
    • Deliver education and community engagement programs
      Offers educational programs and community initiatives that reach over 50,000 Arizonans annually, extending beyond stage performances to foster mutual discovery and community connection through opera and music-based storytelling.
    • Develop New Operatic Works
      Facilitates the development of new operas, including workshops and world premieres, such as "The Copper Queen," which was adapted into a feature-length film.
    • Develop New Operatic Works
      Facilitates the development of new operas, including workshops and world premieres, such as "The Copper Queen," which was adapted into a feature-length film.
    • Develop New Operatic Works
      Facilitates the development of new operas, including selecting composers and librettists, conducting workshops, and premiering new works. This includes the development and premiere of "The Copper Queen," which was also adapted into a feature-length film.
    • Develop New Operatic Works
      Facilitates the development of new operas, including workshops and world premieres, such as "The Copper Queen," which was adapted into a feature-length film.
    • Develop new operatic works
      Commissions and develops new operas, including The Copper Queen, which was selected for world premiere in the 2020/21 season. The development process includes public workshops in Phoenix and New York City, collaboration with composers and librettists, and adaptation into a feature-length film for broader public access.
    • Provide Opera Artist Training
      Offers a full-season training program for emerging opera artists, which includes performance opportunities, coaching, and training in language and dramatic arts.
    • Provide Opera Artist Training
      Offers a full-season training program for emerging opera artists, which includes performance opportunities, coaching, and training in language and dramatic arts.
    • Provide Opera Artist Training
      Offers a full-season training program for emerging opera artists, which includes performance opportunities, coaching, and training in language and dramatic arts.
    • Provide Opera Education and Community Programs
      Offers educational programs and community initiatives that extend beyond stage performances, reaching over 50,000 Arizonans statewide to foster mutual discovery and connect communities through music and storytelling.
    • Train Emerging Opera Artists
      Provides a full-season training program for emerging opera artists, which includes performance opportunities, coaching, and training in language and dramatic arts.
    • Train emerging opera artists
      Provides a full-season training program for emerging opera professionals, including performance opportunities, vocal and dramatic coaching, and instruction in language and stagecraft.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$12.03M
Contributions & grants$10.93M91%
Program service revenue$1.17M10%
Investment income$38K0%
Other revenue$-117K
expenses
Total expenses$8.00M
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$3.38M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$13.62M
Cash$1.45M
Investments$4.62M
Liabilities$2.87M
Net assets$10.76M
Liquid reserves9.1 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +131.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JOEPH SPECTER PRESIDENT & GENERAL DIRECTOR 40 $269K
JOANN SERRA DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 40 $100K
board members · 23
  • ANDREA CRANE — DIRECTOR
  • BARRY FINGERHUT — DIRECTOR
  • COLONEL RET KIMBERLEY SMITH — DIRECTOR
  • DAVE SCOGGINS — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID HEAP — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID J BOLGER — DIRECTOR
  • DR HERSCHEL ROSENZWEIG — DIRECTOR
  • DR JENNY AUGER MAW — DIRECTOR
  • DR STEPHEN MUNK — CHAIR
  • ERIK PETERSON — VICE CHAIR
  • GARY GREENBAUM — DIRECTOR
  • HEATHER STRICKLAND — DIRECTOR
  • JEAN S COOPER — DIRECTOR
  • JEANNETTE JUNG SEGEL — DIRECTOR
  • JENNIFER HOLSMAN TETREAULT — DIRECTOR
  • JUDITH JUDY G WOLF PHD — DIRECTOR
  • KAREN FRUEN — DIRECTOR
  • KAY MCDOUGALL — SECRETARY
  • KIMBERLY J KAUFFMAN — DIRECTOR
  • LINDA STAUBITZ — DIRECTOR
  • NANCY FOSTER — DIRECTOR
  • ROMA WITTCOFF — DIRECTOR
  • SCOTT STALLARD — TREASURER
relationships · 12

who they work with

  • Arizona State University Partner — Collaborates with Arizona Opera on programming and performances.
  • Four Leaf Accounting Partner — Provides accounting services to Arizona Opera.
  • Goodwill Partner — Chorus member Juan Cristobal Flores was working at a Goodwill donation center when injured.
  • Jenny Holsman Tetreault Partner — Event Chair for the Midnight Masquerade fundraising event
  • LumenAZ Partner — Public relations partner handling publicity and interview inquiries for Arizona Opera.
  • OPERA America Partner — Hosted a live-streamed workshop of The Copper Queen at the National OPERA America Center in New York City.
  • Opera America Network — References Opera America as a resource for diversity, equity, and inclusion work in the opera industry.
  • Tucson Desert Song Festival Partner — Collaborated to present performances and host artist debuts.
  • Tucson Desert Song Festival Partner — Continued recital collaboration with Arizona Opera on programming and performances.
  • Tucson Symphony Orchestra Partner — Collaborates with Arizona Opera; Juan Cristobal Flores has performed with both organizations.
  • Tucson Symphony Orchestra Partner — Collaborative arts organization with which Arizona Opera shares performers.
  • University of Arizona Partner — Collaborates with Arizona Opera on programming and performances.