Sterling & Francine Clark Art Inst
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION STATEMENT.PLEASE SEE DESCRIPTION FOR PART I, LINE 1, ABOVE.
- Income
- $59.4 million
- Spending
- $36.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 85.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 185
- Volunteers
- 77
- Highest pay
- $992,690, williams college, ex officio
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 85.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 119% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $5.5 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS - AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR HIGHER LEARNING, THE CLARK IS DRIVEN BY A STRONG COMMITMENT TO THE GENERATION OF IDEAS AND A DISTINCT FOCUS ON EDUCATION. THE CLARK'S RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC PROGRAM ENCOURAGES FRESH APPROACHES TO ADVANCING CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES IN THE VISUAL ARTS. CLARK FELLOWS, CONSIDERED TO BE PROMISING AND ESTABLISHED SCHOLARS AND PRACTITIONERS IN THE VISUAL ARTS, FOSTER INTELLECTUAL DIALOGUE AND INQUIRY IN THE THEORY, HISTORY, AND INTERPRETATION OF VISUAL CULTURE. CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIA, A PODCAST, AND ONLINE LECTURES FOCUS ON VITAL TOPICS IN THE FIELD AND ADDRESS QUESTIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A BROADER PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE OF VISUAL CULTURE. THE CLARK'S ART RESEARCH LIBRARY, ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY, SERVES BOTH SCHOLARS AND THE PUBLIC. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN THE EARLY 1960S, THE LIBRARY COLLECTION HAS GROWN FROM ITS BASE-THE ROBERT STERLING CLARK COLLECTION OF ILLUSTRATED RARE BOOKS- TO ENCOMPASS SOME 299,000 VOLUMES IN OVER 130 LANGUAGES. THE LIBRARY'S OPEN AND CLOSED STACKS AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF ENSURE THAT MATERIALS ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO ALL PATRONS. IN COOPERATION WITH WILLIAMS COLLEGE, THE CLARK OFFERS A MASTERS' PROGRAM IN THE HISTORY OF ART, CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE FINEST IN THE COUNTRY. THE PROGRAM DRAWS UPON THE RICH RESOURCES OF THE CLARK AND WILLIAMS TO PREPARE GRADUATE STUDENTS FOR RESEARCH AND FURTHER STUDY IN THE ACADEMIC AND MUSEUM WORLDS.
- $20.8 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MUSEUM PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS.MUSEUM PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1950, THE CLARK'S COLLECTION HAS CONTINUED TO GROW, NOW CONSISTING OF OVER 10,000 OBJECTS, INCLUDING OVER 500 PAINTINGS AND SIGNIFICANT HOLDINGS OF WORKS ON PAPER AND DECORATIVE ARTS. THE COLLECTION FEATURES EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN PAINTINGS, SCULPTURE, PRINTS, DRAWINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND DECORATIVE ARTS FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY. THE COLLECTION IS ESPECIALLY RICH IN FRENCH IMPRESSIONIST AND ACADEMIC PAINTINGS, BRITISH OIL SKETCHES, DRAWINGS, AND SILVER, AND THE WORK OF AMERICAN ARTISTS WINSLOW HOMER, GEORGE INNESS, AND JOHN SINGER SARGENT. BASED ON THE FOUNDING GIFT FROM STERLING AND FRANCINE CLARK, THE COLLECTION HAS EXPANDED OVER THE YEARS THROUGH NUMEROUS ACQUISITIONS AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT GIFTS AND BEQUESTS, INCLUDING THE GIFT OF SIR EDWIN AND LADY MANTON COLLECTION OF BRITISH ART AND THE GIFT OF GEORGE INNESS PAINTINGS BY FRANK AND KATHERINE MARTUCCI. ON OCTOBER 21, 2024, THE CLARK RECEIVED A GIFT FROM THE TAVITIAN FOUNDATION II, INC. OF 331 PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES, DRAWINGS, AND DECORATIVE ARTS OBJECTS, AS WELL AS UP TO $45 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND CARE OF THE ASO O. TAVITIAN WING TO BE LOCATED ON THE CAMPUS OF THE CLARK ART INSTITUTE, WHICH WILL HOUSE THE DONATED ART. CURRENTLY, THE CLARK IS IN THE DESIGN PHASE OF THE PROJECT, WITH CONSTRUCTION EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON THE ASO O. TAVITIAN WING IN LATE 2026 AND BE COMPLETED BY MID-2028. THE CLARK HAS ENTERED INTO CONTRACTS WITH THE OWNERS REPRESENTATIVE FIRM AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION SERVICES. AS OF THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR ON JUNE 30, 2025, APPROXIMATELY $1 MILLION HAD BEEN SPENT ON OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE AND DESIGN SERVICES, AND ART TRANSPORTATION AND CARE.THE CLARK ALSO ORGANIZES SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS IN COOPERATION WITH LEADING MUSEUMS IN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE. RECENT EXHIBITIONS INCLUDE: WALL POWER! - MODERN FRENCH TAPESTRY FROM THE MOBILIER NATIONAL, PARIS (WINTER 2024/WINTER 2025), MARIEL CAPANNA: GIORNATA (2025), PASTORAL ON PAPER (SPRING/SUMMER 2025); EDGAR DEGAS-MULTI-MEDIA ARTIST IN THE AGE OF IMPRESSIONISM (SUMMER/FALL 2024), FRAGILE BEAUTY: TREASURES FROM THE CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS (SUMMER/FALL 2024), GUILLAUME LETHIERE (SUMMER/FALL 2024), KATHIA ST. HILAIRE: INVISIBLE EMPIRES (SPRING/SUMMER 2024), DAVID-JEREMIAH: I DRIVE THEE (WINTER 2024/WINTER 2025), ABELARDO MORELL: IN THE COMPANY OF MONET AND CONSTABLE (FALL 2024/WINTER 2025) AND A ROOM OF HER OWN: WOMEN ARTISTS IN BRITAIN, 1875-1945 (SUMMER/FALL 2025). UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS INCLUDE: , GROUND/WORK 2025 (SUMMER 2025/SUMMER 2026), ISAMU NOGUCHI: LANDSCAPES OF TIME (SUMMER 2025), BERENICE ABBOTT'S MODERN LENS (SUMMER 2025), PAGINATIONS: BACK BAY TO THE BERKSHIRES: CELEBRATING 250 YEARS OF ART IN MASSACHUSETTS (FALL 2025), RAFFAELLA DELLA OLGA (FALL 2025/SPRING 2026), PAGINATIONS - GRIDLOCKED: THE GEOMETRY OF WEAVING (FALL 2025/SPRING 2026), SHADOW VISIONARIES: FRENCH ARTISTS AGAINST THE CURRENT (WINTER 2025/SPRING 2026), SONIA ALMEIDA: STAGES (WINTER 2026/WINTER 2027) AND AN EXQUISITE EYE: INTRODUCING THE ASO O. TAVITIAN COLLECTION (SUMMER 2026/WINTER 2027).MAJOR EXHIBITIONS ARE AUGMENTED BY WEB-BASED MICROSITES, GENERAL AND CUSTOMIZED GALLERY TALKS, MULTIMEDIA GUIDES, IN-GALLERY INTERPRETIVE MATERIALS, LECTURES, AND FILM SERIES. SEASONAL COMMUNITY DAYS, SUMMER OUTDOOR CONCERTS AND MOVIES, FALL AND WINTER ART COURSES, AND MUSIC PERFORMANCES FURTHER THE CLARK'S EFFORT TO INVOLVE INTERGENERATIONAL AUDIENCES AND SUPPORT LIFELONG LEARNING. THE CLARK HAS A ROBUST DIGITAL PROGRAMMING INITIATIVE INCLUDING LIVESTREAMED AND PRE-RECORDED PROGRAMS ENCOMPASSING LECTURES, CONVERSATIONS WITH ARTISTS AND ART HISTORIANS, AND MUSICAL PERFORMANCES; EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITY SHEETS; AND A PODCAST SERIES. CLARK SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS HAVE A COMBINED FOLLOWING OF MORE THAN 100,000 AND THE CLARK WEBSITE RECEIVES MORE THAN 1.8 MILLION UNIQUE PAGEVIEWS ANNUALLY.SPECIAL EFFORTS TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO THE CLARK INCLUDE FREE ADMISSION FOR CHILDREN AND PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 12 STUDENTS AT ALL TIMES, A FREE PASS PROGRAM OFFERED THROUGH OVER 200 REGIONAL LIBRARIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE CARD-TO-CULTURE PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES FREE ADMISSION TO ANYONE WITH AN EBT CARD, AS WELL AS PROVIDING FREE ADMISSION TO ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY, AND MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS. THREE FOR FREE (FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL) IS OFFERED IN JANUARY-MARCH, FIRST SUNDAYS FREE, HELD OCTOBER-MAY, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY DAY, AND OTHER SPECIAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING ARE ALL EXAMPLES OF FREE EVENTS WHICH INCLUDE MUSEUM ADMISSION, FAMILY-FRIENDLY GALLERY TOURS, PERFORMANCES, AND HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES WHICH ATTRACT SOME 20,000 VISITORS ANNUALLY, INCLUDING MANY LOCAL FAMILIES WHO WOULD OTHERWISE NOT VISIT.
- $1.6 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS.EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: THE CLARK CONDUCTS A FULL SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE A WIDE RANGE OF AUDIENCES TO EXPLORE, UNDERSTAND, AND ENJOY THE VISUAL ARTS IN GENERAL AND THE CLARK'S COLLECTIONS IN PARTICULAR AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE, UNDERSTAND AND ENJOY NATURE ON A MAGNIFICENT 140 ACRE CAMPUS. THESE OFFERINGS INCLUDE GUIDED GALLERY TOURS, FAMILY ACTIVITY GUIDES, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS DESIGNED FOR DIFFERENT AGES AND STAGES. DIGITAL AND WEB-BASED PROGRAMMING IS CREATED FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES AND SCHOOL AUDIENCES (INCLUDING CURRICULAR SUPPORT RESOURCES); THESE PROGRAMS ARE UPDATED REGULARLY. TWO INTERACTIVE INSTALLATIONS FOR INDEPENDENT VISITOR ACTIVITY AND LEARNING WERE DEVELOPED, INCLUDING ART/LAB, A SPACE THAT ENCOURAGES EXPLORATION OF A VARIETY OF ART CONCEPTS FOR ALL AGES AND A POSTCARD STATION, WHERE PEOPLE CAN MAKE, WRITE AND SEND A POSTCARD FEATURING THE CLARK TO SOMEONE THEY KNOW. THE CLARK'S PEDAGOGY EMPHASIZES INTERACTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND CONVERSATION RATHER THAN THE MORE TRADITIONAL ONE-WAY FLOW OF INFORMATION FROM PRESENTER TO AUDIENCE. THIS ENGAGEMENT APPROACH IS DESIGNED TO BE FLEXIBLE, SO AS TO RESPOND TO THE DIFFERENT NEEDS AND DESIRES OF DIFFERENT AUDIENCES, AND IT ENCOURAGES CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND HISTORICAL AWARENESS THAT CARRIES BEYOND A PARTICULAR WORK OF ART AND/OR ANY ONE PERSPECTIVE. THE CLARK'S GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A DYNAMIC AND MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE FOR THE MUSEUM VISITOR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1951.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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