The Paramount Theater of Charlottesville Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Arts education: the arts education program presents school-day educational performances for students in grades pre-k through 12 from central Virginia to experience live performing arts in the historic paramount theater. We are committed to offering programming that is artistically rich and reflects diverse cultures and races, and we hold steadfast to our mission of ensuring access for all area youth. Students from all schools, income levels, and backgrounds come together at the paramount, uniquely bridging a broad spectrum of participants to share in a common experience. Our programming can include q&a with performers, in-school workshops, masterclasses, multi-day artist residencies, and collaborative opportunities with local artists. All programming aligns with Virginia standards of learning as well as social emotional learning standards and includes study guides. The 2024-25 arts education season presented 15 live educational performances to 11,850 students and educators from area public (spanning 14 school districts), private, and home school groups. All participating students and teachers received subsidized ticket pricing, with 3,229 students receiving free admission based on their eligibility for the federal free and reduced public school meals program. In addition, this season's programming included a west african drum & dance workshop serving 32 youth from local boys & girls club units, at no cost. The feedback from educators and students about these arts education experiences is overwhelmingly positive and appreciative, from the educational value and diverse content to the level of quality and artistry with each production. Post performance surveys were completed by 150 teachers and over 275 handwritten thank you letters and artwork from students were joyfully received. Financial assistance ensures all students can experience field trips to the paramount, which are a big highlight for teachers and students - and for many on show days, become "the best days ever" "thank you for your dedication to arts education and for making these enriching experiences possible. Your efforts to bring impactful performances to young audiences help foster empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the arts. This show hero: the boy from troy masterfully brought history to life, helping students see the past not as distant events but as a series of choices and actions that shaped our world today. By highlighting themes of activism, leadership, and perseverance, the play encouraged our students to reflect on their own roles in shaping a more just and inclusive future. Your generous scholarship support is deeply appreciated and enables us to fulfill our mission of bringing students to live performances of such high caliber."- aaron eichorst, fine & performing arts coordinator, charlottesville city schools "a majority of our students are from low-income families and are refugees/immigrants that have settled into garrett square and kindlewood. Being able to come to the paramount for a show is such a great experience. It gives our students an up close and personal look at the theater (we teach about the paramount when teaching the history of charlottesville), and the students learn about important life lessons. Thank you for supporting these field trips through your financial assistance. They would not be possible otherwise." - 1st grade teacher, summit elementary school "words cannot truly express the phenomenal performance of 'afrique en cirque'. Connecting history and social science, english, and fine arts helps our students to answer essential questions by making connections, important in the learning process. Exploring cultures and discovering similarities to our own cultures only enhances a child's ability to appreciate and respect others as a collective. We appreciate the paramount and the sponsors who provided this opportunity for our students to experience theater at its best." - 5th grade teacher, agnor elementary scho

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 96.6%; rating input score 97
• Program expense ratio: 85.4%; rating input score 85
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.65 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 20; 20th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -13.1%; rating input score 11; 11th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.42; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.53; rating input score 20; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.1%; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.3% per year; rating input score 100; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.7% per year; rating input score 100; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 14.7% per year; rating input score 100; 73rd percentile among comparable filings