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Inspiring creativity

Arts & Culture

Banff, AB

Opera Atelier

157 King St. E., St. Lawrence Hall, 4th Fl.
Toronto, ON M5C1G9
Acting Executive Director: Alexandra Skoczylas
Board Chair: Laura Money

Website: www.operaatelier.com
Charitable Reg. #: 12859 0817 RR0001

Sector: Arts & Culture

Operating Charity

Charity Rating

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Results Reporting

Grade: D

The grade is based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.

Financial Transparency

Audited financial statements available only upon request [Audited financial statement for most recent year]

Need for Funding

Funding Reserves Program Costs

Spending Breakdown

Cents to the Cause

♦	♦	♦
			95¢



			75¢
			avg
			65¢


			50¢

2016	2017	2018

For a dollar donated, cents funding the cause after fundraising and admin costs, excluding surplus.

Full-time staff #9

Avg. Compensation $205,949

Top 10 Staff Salary Range

$350k +	0
$300k - $350k	0
$250k - $300k	0
$200k - $250k	0
$160k - $200k	0
$120k - $160k	0
$80k - $120k	1
$40k - $80k	6
< $40k	2

Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2018

About Opera Atelier:

In 1985, Opera Atelier (OA) was founded by two dancers, Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg in Toronto. Opera Atelier is a world leader in the rediscovery and revitalization of period opera and ballet, particularly works from the Baroque era. OA achieves its period theme by featuring original instruments, elaborate stage décor and costumes. OA is committed to promoting the fusion of opera, ballet and drama, not only in Canada but also abroad.  Through touring, OA has introduced baroque opera to Japan, Korea and Singapore.  Most notably, in 1995, the company performed at the inauguration of the restored opera house at Chateau Versailles, France.  OA has shaped the careers of artists such as Russell Braun and Measha Brueggergosman.

Since 1996, Opera Atelier’s Making of an Opera program has annually given over 1,000 young people a one-day opportunity to learn about, participate in, and experience the magic of opera, completely free of charge. OA explains that through an interactive workshop environment, school groups of students aged 12-18 can work with the professional team behind its productions to explore every aspect of opera.

Financial Review:

Opera Atelier is a medium-sized charity, with donations of $1.4m in F2018. OA also received $518k from government funding and $756k from service fees (ticket sales) in F2018. Administrative costs are 20% of revenues (excluding investment income), and fundraising costs are 7% of donations. For every dollar donated, 73 cents go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.  

The charity has funding reserves of $318k, which can cover annual program costs for just under two months. Total funding reserves include a $209k Endowment Fund managed by Ontario Arts Foundation ($204k in F2017, $198k in F2016). Ci did not exclude these amounts when calculating program cost coverage because the audited financials do not disclose whether the funds are board- or donor-endowed.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Opera Atelier for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on May 29, 2019 by Parker Thomlinson.

Financial Ratios Fiscal year ending June	2018	2017	2016
Administrative costs as % of revenues	19.7%	17.9%	17.1%
Fundraising costs as % of donations	7.2%	7.6%	10.3%
Program cost coverage (%)	15.8%	13.3%	12.9%

Summary Financial Statements All figures in $s	2018	2017	2016
Donations	1,425,255	1,421,828	1,510,842
Government funding	517,574	703,590	715,560
Fees for service	756,359	894,551	931,844
Investment income	13,905	15,672	(819)
Other income	24,390	17,091	28,527
Total revenues	2,737,483	3,052,732	3,185,954
Program costs	2,014,839	2,362,777	2,381,330
Administrative costs	537,242	543,813	546,037
Fundraising costs	102,810	108,283	156,283
Other costs	22,536	12,184	14,733
Cash flow from operations	60,056	25,675	87,571
Funding reserves	318,496	313,945	307,394

Note: Opera Atelier’s Endowment Fund, managed by Ontario Arts Foundation, generated investment income not reported in the charity’s income statement. Ci recognized this income net of management fees in investment income, affecting total revenues by $13.9k in F2018, $15.7k in F2017, and ($1k) in F2016. Administrative costs reported in Ci’s analysis come from the charity’s T3010 CRA filings, less interest expenses (which are reported in other costs).

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