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15 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JANUARY 31 2022 AT A GLANCE Organization: Real Art Ways Industry: Contemporary arts nonprofit Top Executive: Will K. Wilkins, Executive Director HQ: 56 Arbor St., Hartford Website: https://www.realartways.org/ Phone Number: 860-232-1006 ARTS BIZ last year, up significantly over 2020, but a nearly 60% decline from 2019, according to Comscore. Wilkins said he's not worried about the industry's struggles because Real Art Ways doesn't just offer a transactional movie-watching experience. "People are social beings," he said. "Real Art Ways is a social space. We are not just presenting movies. We are offering a social context for people to interact with each other. People will be hungry for this when the pandemic ends and it will end." Movie ticket sales make up 25% of Real Art Ways' revenue and the current cinema seats 155 people. The additional three cinemas will each have between 50 and 90 seats. The types of movies Real Art Ways shows range in genre. For example, during the week of Jan. 19, it featured "The Tragedy of Macbeth," starring Denzel Washington, and "The Velvet Queen," which is a documentary that follows a photographer and writer in their search for a rare snow leopard in Tibet. Other revenue sources include ticket sales to events such as concerts, lectures and creative cocktail hours. It also earns money from individual contributions, concession sales and foundations, including the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Government funding sources include the National Endowment for the Arts and state of Connecticut. While Real Art Ways has a big vision for the future, one thing that Wilkins said he doesn't expect to change much is the Arbor Street building's approximately 90 tenants, which include about two dozen artists as well as graphic designers and a mixture of architects, engineers, lawyers and nonprofits. The nonprofit has formed a new limited liability company that will operate the building. "There are a real variety of creative enterprises here," Wilkins said. "We are committed to keeping that dynamic mix of people here." Community art Real Art Ways started in 1975 as an alternative arts organization and was formed when a group of artists set up live-work space in downtown Hartford. Today, it features artwork and displays from a wide range of individuals from all walks of life. Exhibits run the gamut and include a display by Anne Wu — called a "A Dream Walking" — that will be shown through Feb. 6, and features five vibrantly-hued sculptures referencing familiar architectural forms that evoke both a sense of place and no place at all. In addition, Wilkins said, the organization works closely with city and community leaders to bring art to Hartford's residents. Real Art Ways has commissioned or produced more than 40 public arts projects throughout the city, oftentimes collaborating with community groups, he said. The organization has also worked with 42 artists who were winners of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship genius grants awarded annually by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Wilkins said he expects the expansion to lead to growth for his nonprofit. "I expect our membership to grow and I expect a diversified income base," Wilkins said. "I also believe that we will be alive seven nights a week and be a place where people can come to connect with each other." Real Art Ways' expansion aims to create a vibrant gathering space for contemporary art at the nonprofit's Arbor Street home. RENDERING | CONTRIBUTED