National Comedy Center Operator Inc

The National Comedy Center Operator Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the celebration and education of comedy arts. It operates the National Comedy Center, located in Jamestown, New York, which is the hometown of Lucille Ball. The organization is categorized under the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) as an Arts, Culture, and Humanities nonprofit, specifically focused on Performing Arts Organizations.

Mission

The mission of the National Comedy Center Operator Inc. is to provide education on the comedic arts by offering commentary and contextualization of its diverse bodies of work. It achieves this through interactive exhibits, immersive experiences, and a rich collection of comedic artifacts and historical materials.

Financial Overview

As of 2023, the National Comedy Center Operator Inc. reported a revenue of $3.48 million, with expenses amounting to $5.2 million. The organization's total assets were valued at $22.1 million, while liabilities stood at $22.9 million[1]. In previous years, such as 2019, contributions constituted the majority of the organization's revenue, reaching $1,489,170, which was approximately 62.2% of its total revenue[1].

Governance

The organization is overseen by a board of directors. As of early 2025, the board members include Thomas Benson, Holly Sullivan, Mike Latone, George Panebianco, Sara DeMink, Jonathan Albro, Jerome LeeYaw, and Cindy Aronson[2].

Operations

The National Comedy Center is a state-of-the-art museum featuring over 50 exhibits that explore various genres of comedy, including stand-up, sketch, improv, television, radio, and movies. The museum offers personalized experiences through the use of a "LaughBand," which allows visitors to engage with personalized content based on their comedy preferences. Some of the interactive experiences include the "Comedy Continuum," "Laugh Battle," and comedy karaoke sessions featuring routines from famous comedians[3][4].

Recognition

The National Comedy Center has received significant recognition, being named one of the "World’s Greatest Places" by TIME magazine and the "Best New Museum" in the United States by USA Today[3]. It has also been highlighted in People magazine as one of "100 Reasons to Love America"[3]. Visitors from across the U.S. and internationally have praised the center, contributing to its high ratings on TripAdvisor[3].