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Open Channels New York Inc

EIN 13-3486263 · New York, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak28 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To foster, promote and advance greater knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the performing and literary arts, including theater, dance, puppetry, music, spoken word, and multimedia presentations.

Income
$370,950
Spending
$680,884
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
12
Highest pay
$71,913, secretary/treas

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 28 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 84% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 44 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (1)
  1. $438,366 spent. In its 38th year, Dixon Place (DP) remained dedicated to the creation, development, and presentation of new original works in the performing and literary arts, inspiring and encouraging artists to take risks, explore new ideas and practices, and accelerate their work to the next level. DPs primary goals are to provide opportunities and resources that allow creators to challenge themselves artistically, develop high quality new work, strengthen their audience base, and further their careers. With programs that provide developmental opportunities for professional performing artists, DP remains one of the only organizations exclusively dedicated to supporting artists from readings and workshop presentations all the way to fully realized productions, making the organization distinctive in the NYC landscape of performing arts presenters. Dixon Place presented approximately 100 theater, dance, music, and literary events from January through December 2024, serving over 200 artists or companies and over 6000 members of the community. The breakdown of programs and artists served are as follows:COMMISSIONING & PRODUCTION PROGRAMSEstablished in 1994, DPs COMMISSIONING & PRODUCTION PROGRAM is the cornerstone of our programming, providing comprehensive support that empowers artists to develop and present courageous new work. Each production receives access to DP facilities for meetings and auditions; artistic fees of $6,000$15,000 per production for writers, directors, designers, choreographers, dramaturges, and performers; a production manager and full technical support, as well as marketing, publicity, and administrative assistance; and a performance run. Artists in the program in 2024 had exclusive use of the mainstage for the fourth straight year, meaning artists could create more extensive scenic elements and not be required to break down daily to make space for our formerly copious nightly programming. In 2024, DP commissioned and/or co-produced, and presented the following productions:Ernies Secret Life, an episodic odyssey, fusing ever-changing puppetry stagecraft with humor, music, and a raw understanding of our profound collective reality by Renee Philippi/Joe Phillips of Concrete Temple Theatre, presented in the mainstage 1/4/24 - 1/27/24Naughty Bits, Sara Julis autobiographical solo dance-play, which was co-produced by American Dance Festival, had its NYC premiere at DP on 3/14/24 - 3/16/24. Kayfabe, Josh Rices puppet wrestling entertainment spectacular, which was commissioned for development and premiered at DP on 5/30/24 - 6/7/24. Kayfabe went to the Chicago International Puppet Festival in February 2025.Harlem Doll Palace, a DP commission written by Alva Rogers and directed by Ash Winkfield, combined performance and puppetry to tell the story of Aunt Len and her beloved dolls who struggle to keep her protected from a deteriorating outside real world. Presented in the Mainstage Theater 11/13/24 - 11/17/24HOT FESTIVALThe oldest annual LGBTQIA+ festival in the world, HOT has pioneered queer arts and culture in NYC for over 30 years. This festival offers an artistic haven for so many underrepresented voices in our community and serves as a model for other LGBTQIA+ festivals. An extension of Pride, the HOT Festival traditionally takes place throughout the entire month of July, featuring theater, dance, spoken word, music, comedy, and hybrid performance. 2024 marked the HOT Festivals 33rd anniversary. DANCE BLOC NYC FESTIVAL2024 also saw the fourth year of the DANCE BLOC NYC FESTIVAL, DPs inaugural dance festival, taking place over three days with six different programs, and featuring new works by 21 dance companies on the themes of EFFECT, EMERGE, and EVOLVE.SUBSIDIZED RENTAL PROGRAMDPs SUBSIDIZED RENTAL PROGRAM serves theater and dance companies who need affordable space to independently showcase their new work, a true rarity in New York, especially for artists and audiences with mobility challenges. Providing full front and back of house support, DPs amenities, professional services, and accessibility, we have built strong relationships with companies and many return annually. In 2024, this program supported White Wave Dance Festival, Ishami Dance Company, and New Camerata Opera, to name a fewPUPPETRY PROGRAMSince its inception in 2006, DPs popular annual program Puppet BloK (PB) has supported over 200 NYC area contemporary puppetry artists working in myriad forms of puppet theater including Marionettes, Shadow Puppetry, Object Theater, Bunraku, Hand and Rod, Toy Theater, Pageantry, Stop Motion Animation, and puppets ranging in size from fingers to full body puppets. PB perfectly aligns with DPs mission by providing opportunities for puppetry artists to develop new ideas, explore new forms, and foster new collaborations. Due to PBs success, the programs fundamental structure and format has been sustained with 4 artists featured each night, 4 different programs are curated to focus on exceptional artistry and inclusivity. Each night of performance is followed by a talkback designed to assist artists in the development of their new work. The Q&A also successfully serves to stimulate and educate audiences about puppetry and the process of creation. LITERARY PROGRAMIn 2024, Experiments & Disorders featured both early career and established writers presenting new work in fiction, poetry, performance text, and nonfiction.CULTURAL EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM (CECO) Dixon Places CULTURAL EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM (CECO) has provided much-needed free creative workshops and performance opportunities for the underrepresented voices of culturally underserved, low-income youth and senior citizens for 24 years. Through experiential programs, participants discover their creative voices, develop original work, and perform for supportive audiences. By including voices rarely heard on a professional platform, CECO strengthens DPs mission and commitment to diversity and inclusion, an

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.