Nonprofit arts and cultural groups bring people and communities together, providing people with a place to discover artistic passion, create community, learn life skills, celebrate culture, and share their creativity.
Just like the cultures they celebrate and the artwork they create, every nonprofit arts and cultural group is different. Varying missions, specialties, and priorities, means each one has different needs when it comes to their insurance, too.
So, what do nonprofit arts and cultural groups need most from their insurance?
Meet some nonprofit arts and cultural groups.
We talked with several NIA-insured nonprofit arts and cultural groups, who shared what they need most from their insurance coverage — and from their insurance provider — to ensure that their missions can succeed and thrive.
In their own words…
San Diego Craft Collective (San Diego, CA)
“San Diego Craft Collective plays a vital role as an inclusive resource for the community by teaching craft and woodworking classes as a vehicle for self-expression and personal growth.
As an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we offer activities, workshops, artist space, scholarships, and fellowships centered around craft and creativity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds in a family-friendly, eco-conscious environment.
We offer ceramics, fiber arts, garden and sustainability, glass arts, mixed media, and woodworking programs. We have classes for kids and teens, camps, and afterschool programs, as well as adult classes. We also offer a rental space bench program, scholarships and fellowships, and volunteer opportunities.”
— Steffanie Dotson, Director, San Diego Craft Collective
Enriching Lives through Music (San Rafael, CA)
“ELM is a tuition-free music education program primarily serving first-generation Latino youth. We provide youth with an immersive music education and resources that inspire and empower them to pursue their dreams.
ELM provides 170+ children, ages 8-18, with year-round instruction on orchestral instruments for their entire childhood — providing increasing layers of support to them and their families as they grow older.
After school, students study their primary instruments, participate in musicianship classes, and receive academic support.
In addition to instrument-specific classes, older students have weekly sectionals and musicianship/music theory classes. Students also receive literacy support, tutoring, and college and career counseling.
Beginning in 8th grade, students work closely with our academic counselor to ensure that they are on track to successfully apply to a four-year college.
Our ultimate goal is that students complete the program as musicians, scholars, and leaders who are prepared to thrive and contribute to their community.”
— Andrea Lloyd, Development Director, Enriching Lives through Music
Open Scene (Winter Park, FL)
“Open Scene is a Latina-led cultural hub producing multilingual performances, immersive installations, and inclusive programming.
We enrich Orlando’s arts landscape by amplifying overlooked voices, promoting cultural exchange, and creating accessible, high-quality experiences that connect communities through the power of the arts.
Open Scene produces the Latin Performing Arts Festival, the Escena Abierta Playwriting Contest, immersive art installations, and multilingual dramatic readings.
We also offer community forums, artist workshops, and accessibility services like live translation — all designed to foster cultural exchange, artistic innovation, and professional opportunities for global creators.”
— Mariela Saad, Development Director, Open Scene
TRS Kids Foundation (Virginia Beach, VA)
“TRS Kids empowers youth in underserved communities through dynamic theater enrichment, building confidence, creativity, and communication.
With expert-led acting, improv, and more, we nurture well-rounded young people ready to walk boldly into any space — whether it’s an audition, an interview, or a boardroom.
Our flagship program is the TRS Kids Summer Arts Workshop, a summer performing arts program.
TRS Kids classes and programs help youth build confidence and communication skills, develop acting and audition techniques, promote leadership and life skills, enhance literacy and reading comprehension, and engage in community and cultural events.”
— Tanya Shadley, CEO, TRS Kids Foundation
What did these nonprofit arts and cultural groups need most from their insurer?
Complete, but affordable, insurance.
“Price and quality coverage. Since we run a full woodworking studio, glass studio, and ceramics studio, we needed coverage that was complete, yet affordable.”
— Steffanie Dotson, San Diego Craft Collective
Coverage for youth-serving mission work.
“As a youth-serving organization, we require liability insurance specifically to protect against improper sexual conduct and physical abuse. We also require professional insurance as a social service provider.”
— Andrea Lloyd, Enriching Lives through Music
An insurer willing to work with unique nonprofits.
“Our nonprofit’s most important need when looking for insurance coverage was finding a provider willing to work with a small, nomadic cultural organization.
Many insurers were hesitant to cover us due to our size, mobile programming model, and the unique nature of our arts-based activities.”
— Mariela Saad, Open Scene
Coverage that can change locations.
“We needed to have coverage that could change locations (riders) depending upon the various performance venues we utilize.”
— Tanya Shadley, TRS Kids Foundation
How did these arts and cultural groups hear about NIA?
From brokers and other nonprofits.
“Another nonprofit told us about NIA, and then our broker also recommended them.”
— Steffanie Dotson, San Diego Craft Collective
A partner from the very beginning.
“We have been with NIA since we became a nonprofit in 2014.”
— Andrea Lloyd, Enriching Lives through Music
A search for suitable nonprofit insurance providers.
“We found NIA while searching online for insurance providers that understand the unique needs of small, culturally focused nonprofit organizations.”
— Mariela Saad, Open Scene
A small business workshop.
“I attended a small business workshop and, after hearing about NIA, I sent email to try to connect and then signed up for coverage.”
— Tanya Shadley, TRS Kids Foundation
Since becoming an NIA member, how has that relationship helped these arts and cultural groups?
A partner that understands mission work.
“We love the support NIA offers. The fact that it’s specifically geared for nonprofits is extremely helpful.
Other insurance companies didn’t understand what we do. They didn’t know how to categorize us, and safety here is a top priority, so it’s a relief to be able to find support and coverage from NIA, because they understand our model and know that we hold a high level of integrity.
The webinars and extra risk management services they offer are really helpful to us as a small nonprofit.”
— Steffanie Dotson, San Diego Craft Collective
An insurer that puts people over profit.
“What makes our partnership with NIA so meaningful is knowing they share our values. As a nonprofit, NIA reinvests its revenues into providing high-quality, equitable insurance products and services — putting people over profit, just like we do.”
— Andrea Lloyd, Enriching Lives through Music
Clear communications, personalized support
“We appreciate NIA’s clear communication, personalized support, and understanding of the arts and cultural sector.
Their willingness to work with a small, nomadic organization like ours made a big difference.
As a small, culturally focused nonprofit, it was challenging to find insurance that truly understood our needs. NIA made the process smooth and accessible.
Their support has given us peace of mind, allowing us to focus on our mission of creating meaningful artistic experiences for our community.”
— Mariela Saad, Open Scene
Accessibility, support, and additional resources.
“I’m incredibly thankful for the support and resources provided by NIA. I like the accessibility when I have a question regarding coverage, and I really enjoy the other resources and articles I have access to as well.
As a small nonprofit, access to free and affordable services is essential in allowing me to pour into TRS Kids.
Having affordable coverage ensures we can continue building something truly special — empowering and inspiring the next generation.”
— Tanya Shadley, TRS Kids Foundation
Nonprofit arts and cultural groups: You deserve an insurance provider that treats your mission like a masterpiece.
Why do nonprofit arts and cultural groups choose to get their insurance coverage from NIA?
It’s easy: Nonprofits want to focus on their mission and their community, not worry about whether their insurance will be there for them when they need it.
With NIA, your nonprofit gets dependable coverage that’s tailored to your mission, fair and equitable prices, resources that help make your job easier, and a team of experts that won’t leave you hanging.
As a nonprofit itself, NIA’s entire mission is helping the nonprofit sector succeed — the same way you help your community succeed!
After all, when you’ve got a mission to achieve — you deserve an insurance provider that helps you get it done.
