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Arizona Theatre Matters
Glendale, AZ · EIN 461458976 · Form 990EZ · FY2022 · NTEE A60 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · arizonatheatrematters.org
revenue
$126K
expenses
$122K
net assets
$18K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

Universally Accessible Theatre and Film

profile · synthesized from sources

Arizona Theatre Matters (ATM) is a nonprofit theater organization that produces universally accessible, socially conscious stage-to-film content, centering artists with disabilities and marginalized identities. Originally founded in 2012 as Universal Access Productions, ATM transitioned to a digital-first model during the pandemic, expanding its reach globally via YouTube. The organization champions radical inclusivity through original productions, international collaborations, and advocacy for equity in the arts.

named programs · 7 · from sources

what they call their work

Blind Filmmakers Fellowship
Fellowship program in even years offering specialized training, assistive technology, and mentorship for Blind filmmakers
Deaf Film Editors Fellowship
Fellowship program in odd years providing training and mentorship for Deaf film editors, with tailored curriculum and industry connections
Educational Outreach and Curriculum Development
Develops educational resources and partnerships with schools to promote inclusive theater and social justice learning
International Playwriting Competition
Annual competition to discover and nurture global playwright talent, emphasizing inclusive and innovative storytelling
Playwright Development Program
Supports emerging playwrights from diverse backgrounds through mentorship, workshops, and commissions focused on social justice themes
Stage-to-Film Productions
Creates accessible digital theater content distributed via YouTube, featuring integrated BIPOC Deaf sign language interpretation and multilingual access
Virtual Theater Platform
Online streaming platform for live and recorded performances, expanding global access to ATM’s productions
activities · 4 groups

what they do

  • Sign Language-Integrated Theatre Production 8 activities
    • Digital theater distribution and accessibility
      Operates a digital platform via a YouTube channel launched in 2020, offering captioned, Artistic Sign Language-integrated, and audio-described performances to a global audience. The platform has over 118,000 subscribers, more than 1.3 million views, and reaches viewers in 194 countries, with content available in over 300 captioned languages.
    • Hands in Harmony performance ensemble
      Operates Hands in Harmony, a resident sign language performance ensemble composed of native Natural Sign Language speakers, which integrates signing into the creative storytelling process. In 2024, introduced a BIPOC Deaf sign language team featured in all mainstage content.
    • Operating Hands in Harmony Sign Language Ensemble
      Arizona Theatre Matters operates Hands in Harmony, a resident sign language performance ensemble composed of native speakers of Natural Sign Language, which integrates signing into the creative process for storytelling within their theatrical productions.
    • Operating Hands in Harmony Sign Language Ensemble
      Arizona Theatre Matters operates Hands in Harmony, a resident sign language performance ensemble composed of native speakers of Natural Sign Language. This ensemble integrates signing directly into the creative process for storytelling within their theatrical productions.
    • Operating Hands in Harmony Sign Language Ensemble
      Arizona Theatre Matters operates Hands in Harmony, a resident sign language performance ensemble composed of native speakers of Natural Sign Language. This ensemble integrates signing directly into the creative process for storytelling, enhancing accessibility and artistic expression within their productions.
    • Producing Accessible Theatrical Performances
      Arizona Theatre Matters creates and presents engaging, thought-provoking theatrical experiences, including full-scale productions, solo works, satire, opera, and historical narratives. These performances integrate storytelling, history, and sound, and are made universally accessible through features like captioning, Artistic Sign Language integration, and audio descriptions, reaching global audiences via a YouTube channel with over 118,000 subscribers and 1.3 million views across 194 countries.
    • Producing Accessible Theatrical Performances
      Arizona Theatre Matters creates and presents engaging, thought-provoking theatrical experiences, including full-scale productions, solo works, satire, opera, and historical narratives. These performances integrate storytelling, history, and sound, and are made universally accessible through features like captioning, Artistic Sign Language integration, and audio descriptions, reaching global audiences via a YouTube channel with over 118,000 subscribers and 1.3 million views across 194 countries.
    • Producing Accessible Theatrical Performances
      Arizona Theatre Matters creates and presents engaging, thought-provoking theatrical experiences, including full-scale productions, solo works, satire, opera, and historical narratives. These performances integrate storytelling, history, and sound, and are made universally accessible through features like captioning, Artistic Sign Language integration, and audio descriptions, reaching audiences globally via a YouTube channel with over 118,000 subscribers and 1.3 million views across 194 countries.
  • Youth Performing Arts Camps & Classes 4 activities
    • Developing Educational Resources for Theatrical Productions
      The organization produces and publishes educational and discussion guides, including study guides and digital engagement toolkits, to support classroom discussion, community engagement, and audience reflection around its theatrical productions. These resources are expanded and made available online.
    • Developing Educational Resources for Theatrical Productions
      The organization produces study guides and digital engagement toolkits to support classroom discussion, community engagement, and audience reflection around its theatrical productions. These resources are expanded and published online to provide contextual materials and enhance the educational experience.
    • Developing Educational Resources for Theatrical Productions
      The organization produces study guides and digital engagement toolkits to support classroom discussion, community engagement, and audience reflection around its theatrical productions. These resources are expanded and published online to provide contextual materials and enhance the educational value of their performances.
    • Development of educational and community engagement resources
      Produces and publishes study guides, digital engagement toolkits, and discussion materials to support classroom instruction, audience reflection, and community engagement around theatrical productions. These resources are expanded and shared online for broad access.
  • Live Music Festival & Concert Production 3 activities
    • Glendale International Fringe Festival (GIFF)
      Organizes and hosts the Glendale International Fringe Festival, a 16-day curated performance festival featuring 50 performances from around the world. All events are offered free of charge and unticketed, with options for in-person attendance, livestreaming, and accessible Video On Demand access.
    • Organizing the Glendale International Fringe Festival (GIFF)
      The organization organizes the Glendale International Fringe Festival (GIFF), a curated performance festival that hosts 50 performances from around the world over 16 days. Performances are offered both in-person and livestreamed, with accessible Video On Demand, all provided free of charge to the public.
    • Organizing the Glendale International Fringe Festival (GIFF)
      Arizona Theatre Matters organizes the Glendale International Fringe Festival (GIFF), a 16-day curated performance festival that hosts 50 performances from around the world. All performances are offered free of charge to the public, both in-person and livestreamed, with accessible Video On Demand options.
  • Professional Theatrical Production and Performance 1 activity
    • Production of theatrical performances
      Creates and presents full-scale theatrical productions, including adaptations of Shakespeare, original works, historical narratives, solo performances, opera, and satire, both in-person and through digital formats. The organization has produced at least 45 full-scale productions, including titles such as "The Ferryman's Toll" (2025), "The Tempest" (2024), "Even Unto Death," and "Mackers."
financials · form 990EZ · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$126K
Contributions & grants$126K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$122K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$18K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$18K
4 years on record · 2019–2022 · YoY revenue +64.1%
relationships · 18

who they work with

  • Albion Sound Partner — Kevin Tye, Production Manager and Audio Engineer for Arizona Theatre Matters, is the owner and operator of Albion Sound.
  • American Council of the Blind Partner — John McCann, ATM’s Audio Supervisor, is active in the American Council of the Blind.
  • Arizona Commission on the Arts Funder — Receives grants from this organization.
  • Arizona Governor’s Council on Blindness and Visual Impairment Partner — John McCann, ATM’s Audio Supervisor, serves on the Arizona Governor’s Council on Blindness and Visual Impairment.
  • CripFest Partner — Shares values and creative DNA with this access-forward festival.
  • DisArt Festival Partner — Shares values and creative DNA with this access-forward festival.
  • Disability Futures at Under the Radar Partner — Shares values and creative DNA with this access-forward festival.
  • Even Unto Death Partner — Produced the play "Even Unto Death" by Jeanmarie Simpson as part of its theatrical programming.
  • Fringe Italia Partner — Listed as a partner.
  • Governor Katie Hobbs Government — Recognized the organization for its contributions to arts accessibility and diverse storytelling.
  • Hands In Harmony Partner — Ololade Adekanmi, ATM’s Video producer/director, is the founder of Hands In Harmony.
  • Hands in Harmony Partner — Resident sign language performance ensemble that joined ATM in 2024 and integrates signing into the creative process.
  • Re•Verb Festival Partner — Shares values and creative DNA with this access-forward festival.
  • The City of Glendale AZ Funder — Receives grants from this organization.
  • The National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Receives grants from this organization.
  • Voces Radiantes/Radiant Voices Partner — Diana Kimetto, founder of Voces Radiantes/Radiant Voices, is the founder of ATM’s Blind voice acting ensemble.
  • WILPF Partner — Jeanmarie Simpson and Diana Kimetto connected at a WILPF Congress over their shared commitment to accessibility in theatre.
  • World Fringe Partner — Listed as a partner.