Symphony Space
Our Discovery
For nearly 50 years, Symphony Space has brought together celebrated artists, writers, and audiences on New York City’s Upper West Side through one-night-only, only-at-Symphony-Space programming. As leadership began to envision a historic renovation of its home, Symphony Space engaged CFA to conduct a Campaign Readiness & Feasibility Study testing support for a proposed $45 million campaign — $15 million of which would be matched by the City of New York — to transform its building, expand its programming, and strengthen its endowment.
Our Approach
Over 10 months, CFA engaged 1,173 members of the Symphony Space community through one-on-one interviews, focus groups, community listening sessions, and a broad constituent survey. The process included a full internal readiness assessment, donor database wealth screening and yield analysis, and development of a refined case for support, culminating in a recommendation that Symphony Space move forward with a $45 million campaign, including $30 million raised through private philanthropy.
The Results
Building on CFA’s roadmap, Symphony Space publicly launched its “Building Together: For Art. For Community. For Generations” campaign in March 2026. The campaign has already raised $37 million toward its $45 million goal, backed by a public-private partnership with the City and State of New York and individual donors. Renovation begins in early 2027, and Symphony Space will reopen its transformed home in time for its 50th anniversary in 2028.
Media Coverage
Featured in The New York Times, BroadwayWorld, Hoodline, and Patch
What clients have to say about us
"The arts have the power to forge a more connected, more compassionate world—and that belief drives everything we do at Symphony Space. We are reshaping and reimagining our home in a way that aligns with our core values and underpins our commitment to being a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming space — one that supports artists across disciplines and generations, opens our doors wider to communities across New York City and beyond, and invites everyone to participate. We believe in a future where access, opportunity, and art are truly for all. This renovation is the pathway to that future."
— Kathy Landau Executive Director
