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ARTS EXPRESS
Tucson, AZ · EIN 860941657 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE A250 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.arts-express.org
revenue
$619K
expenses
$632K
net assets
$85K
employees
0
volunteers
312
program ratio
90%
mission · from form 990

The mission of Arts Express Theatre is to build character, strengthen community and celebrate culture through the power of musical theatre.

profile · synthesized from sources

Arts Express Theatre is a nonprofit organization based in Arizona that provides theatrical productions and arts education programs for youth. It serves aspiring artists and the local community by offering scholarships, sponsorship opportunities, and initiatives like the Monte Awards to recognize and support young talent in musical theater.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

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

  1. #1 primary $50K
    Arts Express Theatre's educational programs included classes and workshops during the school year, focused on the triple threat skills of musical theatre (dance, acting and singing). In addition, AET operated two summer camps (Jungle Book Kids and James and the Giant Peach Jr). Over 75 youth participated in these programs.
  2. #2 $41K
    Arts Express Theatre operates the Monte Awards in each year in partnership with Broadway in Tucson. The Monte Awards are a division of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. Over 70 students participated in this regional program, with 2 students going to New York City to represent our area at the national competition.
named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Drama Club
A community for young performers aged 8 to 18 to build skills, forge friendships, and discover mentorship in the arts.
Monte Awards
A program that recognizes and celebrates outstanding high school musical theater talent in Southern Arizona, providing mentorship and opportunities for young performers.
Summer Camp
A program that offers young artists the opportunity to explore musical theater through quality instruction and stage opportunities.
activities · 6 groups

what they do

  • School Community Events & Family Nights 4 activities
    • Community Engagement and Events
      Organizes monthly meetings with educational forums and theatre games, hosts field trips to school productions, and holds an annual New Year's Eve event with entertainment and performances.
    • Community Engagement and Events
      Organizes various community events including monthly meetings with educational forums and theatre games, field trips to school productions, club anniversaries, senior send-offs, and an annual New Year's Eve event with entertainment and performances.
    • Community Engagement and Support
      Organizes monthly meetings with educational forums and theatre games, hosts field trips, provides performance opportunities, and fosters alumni affiliations through events like club anniversaries and senior send-offs.
    • Drama Club Activities
      Hosts monthly Drama Club meetings that include educational forums, theatre games, karaoke, and refreshments, and organizes field trips to school productions and community events.
  • Youth & Family Theatrical Productions 4 activities
    • Daytime Theatrical Performances for Young Audiences
      Produces daytime theatrical performances specifically designed for young audiences and school group field trips.
    • Daytime Theatrical Performances for Young Audiences
      Produces daytime theatrical performances specifically designed for young audiences and school group field trips.
    • Theatrical Production for Youth and Schools
      Produces daytime theatrical performances designed for young audiences and school group field trips, including stage adaptations like Alice in Wonderland JR., and provides meals for cast and crew during performances.
    • Youth Production of Theatrical Performances
      Produces stage adaptations of musicals, such as Alice in Wonderland JR., featuring young performers. These productions include extensive instruction and rehearsal, and some are designed as daytime performances for young audiences and school field trips.
  • High School Musical Theater Recognition & Advancement 4 activities
    • Monte Awards Program
      Administers the Monte Awards, which adjudicates high school musical theater performances in Southern Arizona, recognizes outstanding achievements in various categories (e.g., Best Musical, Best Actor/Actress, Best Direction), and sends winners to the Jimmy Awards in New York City, covering transportation costs.
    • Monte Awards Program
      Administers the Monte Awards, which provide expert adjudication for high school musical theater performances in Southern Arizona. The program recognizes outstanding achievements in various categories, including Best Musical, Best Actor/Actress, Best Direction, and Creative Team awards, and sends winners to the Jimmy Awards in New York.
    • Monte Awards Program
      Administers the Monte Awards, which adjudicates high school musical theater performances in Southern Arizona, recognizes outstanding achievements in various categories (e.g., Best Musical, Best Actor/Actress, Best Direction), and sends winners to the Jimmy Awards in New York City, covering transportation costs.
    • Monte Awards Program
      Provides expert adjudication for high school musical theater performances in Southern Arizona, recognizing outstanding productions, performers, and creative teams, and sending winners to the Jimmy Awards in New York.
  • Youth Theater Access & Workforce Support 4 activities
    • Scholarship Program
      Offers scholarships to financially disadvantaged youth and families, covering up to 50% of program fees for offerings like Drama Club, classes, workshops, and summer camps.
    • Scholarship Program
      Offers scholarships to financially disadvantaged youth and families, covering up to 50% of program fees for participation in summer theater camps, Drama Club, and other educational programs.
    • Scholarship Program for Arts Education
      Offers scholarships to financially disadvantaged youth and families, covering up to 50% of program fees for participation in summer theater camps, Drama Club, classes, and workshops.
    • Scholarship Program for Youth Arts Participation
      Offers scholarships to financially disadvantaged youth and families, covering up to 50% of program fees, to enable participation in summer theater camps, Drama Club, and other educational programs.
  • Youth Performing Arts Camps & Classes 4 activities
    • Youth Arts Education Programs
      Provides arts education programs for youth aged 8 to 18, including structured programs like Drama Club, immersive summer camps, and year-round productions, offering instruction, creative resources, and stage opportunities.
    • Youth Arts Education and Performance Programs
      Provides arts education programs, including structured Drama Club, immersive summer camps, and year-round productions, for youth aged 8 to 18 in Tucson. These programs offer instruction, creative resources, stage opportunities, and intensive coaching to develop musical theater skills and confidence.
    • Youth Musical Theater Education and Production
      Provides arts education programs, intensive coaching, and stage opportunities for youth aged 8 to 18, including summer camps, year-round Drama Club, and youth productions, with over 100 hours of instruction and rehearsal for participants.
    • Youth Musical Theater Education and Production
      Provides arts education programs, intensive coaching, and stage opportunities for youth aged 8 to 18, including summer camps, year-round Drama Club, and youth productions, with over 100 hours of instruction and rehearsal for participants.
  • Uncategorized 6 activities
    • Josiah Santos Memorial Education Fund
      Established the Josiah Santos Memorial Education Fund to provide support for aspiring theatre students.
    • Josiah Santos Memorial Education Fund
      Established and manages the Josiah Santos Memorial Education Fund to provide financial support for aspiring theatre students.
    • Josiah Santos Memorial Education Fund
      Established the Josiah Santos Memorial Education Fund to provide support for aspiring theatre students.
    • Professional Vocal Coaching
      Provides professional vocal coaching to participating students to refine their craft and build confidence.
    • Professional Vocal Coaching
      Provides professional vocal coaching to participating students to refine their craft and build confidence, particularly for those involved in the Monte Awards program.
    • Professional Vocal Coaching
      Provides professional vocal coaching to participating students to help them refine their craft and build confidence in musical theater.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$619K
Contributions & grants$222K36%
Program service revenue$380K61%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$17K
expenses
Total expenses$632K
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$78K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$255K
Cash$146K
Investments$0
Liabilities$170K
Net assets$85K
Liquid reserves2.8 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +24.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 4
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Karen Wiese Executive Director - Nonvoting Director of the Board 0 $27K
Benjamin Wiese Managing Director 30 $26K
Michael Dunn Technical Director 15 $16K
Jonathon Crider Production Director and Development Director 10 $11K
board members · 8
  • Gail Kolenda — Treasurer
  • James Barnhart — Director
  • Lendre Kearns — Secretary
  • Mario DiVetta — Director
  • Sue DeBenedette — Director
  • Susan Thibodeaux — President
  • Tina Chavez — Director
  • Warren Hatcher — Vice President
relationships · 7

who they work with

  • Arts Express Theatre Tucson Partner — Local presenting partner for the New Year's Eve on Broadway event.
  • Broadway Junior Network — Member of the Broadway Junior catalogue, using licensed theatrical adaptations for youth productions.
  • Broadway in Tucson Partner — Provides exclusive discounts to its members for Broadway in Tucson productions.
  • Fox Tucson Theatre Partner — Provides exclusive discounts to its members for Fox Tucson Theatre events.
  • Jimmy Awards Partner — Provides a national stage for Monte Award winners from Southern Arizona.
  • Josiah Santos Partner — Fund established in memory of Josiah Santos to support theatre education.
  • Park Place Mall Partner — Thousands of audience members and holiday shoppers at Park Place Mall will see donor generosity celebrated daily.