Clay Art Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CLAY ART CENTER IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATION, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH CLAY BY PROVIDING AN INCLUSIVE SPACE FOR LEARNING, STUDIO PRACTICE, EXHIBITIONS, PERSONAL GROWTH, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN CERAMIC ARTS.
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- -7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 61%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 115
- Highest pay
- $121,474, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 68% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
10 of 10Gave 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 August 31, 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)
- $1.0 million spent. ADULTS & YOUTH CLASSES: CLAY ART CENTER (THE CENTER) PRESENTS CLASSES RANGING IN EXPERIENCE LEVEL FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED IN WHEEL THROWING, POTTERY, SCULPTURE, & HAND BUILDING. THE CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN AND SERVE THE WESTCHESTER & CONNECTICUT COMMUNITIES. THE CENTER OFFERS AFTER-SCHOOL AND WEEKEND CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AS WELL AS MORNING, AFTERNOON, AND FULL DAY CLASSES IN THE SUMMER. THE CENTER ALSO OFFERS OPEN STUDIO HOURS TO STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN WEEKLY CLASSES. THE OPEN STUDIO HOURS GIVE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON THEIR PROJECTS OUTSIDE OF CLASS TIME AND TO DEVELOP THEIR ARTISTIC SKILLS. WORKSHOPS: TO FURTHER ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, THE CENTER PRESENTS MONTHLY WORKSHOPS BY NATIONALLY KNOWN ARTISTS. VARYING IN LENGTH FROM ONE TO FIVE DAYS, THEY ARE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN AND BE INSPIRED BY TEACHERS AND WORKING ARTISTS. COMMUNITY ARTS: CLAY ART CENTER IS DEDICATED TO MAKING A LASTING IMPACT LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY BY PUTTING CLAY INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. WE DEVELOP MEANINGFUL PROGRAMS THAT BRING THE POWER OF CERAMIC ARTS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS, COLLABORATING WITH ORGANIZATIONS TO OFFER CLAY AS A TOOL FOR HEALING, SELF-EXPRESSION, AND ENRICHMENT. WE PARTNER WITH SCHOOLS, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES, SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS IN PORT CHESTER, WESTCHESTER COUNTY, AND BEYOND. THROUGH GRANT FUNDING AND GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS, WE OFFER FREE AND LOW-COST PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS, ENSURING THAT FINANCIAL BARRIERS NEVER STAND IN THE WAY OF EXPERIENCING THE TRANSFORMATIVE BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH CLAY. ADULTS & YOUTH CLASSES: CLAY ART CENTER (THE CENTER) PRESENTS CLASSES RANGING IN EXPERIENCE LEVEL FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED IN WHEEL THROWING, POTTERY, SCULPTURE, & HAND BUILDING. THE CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN AND SERVE THE WESTCHESTER & CONNECTICUT COMMUNITIES. THE CENTER OFFERS AFTER-SCHOOL AND WEEKEND CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AS WELL AS MORNING, AFTERNOON, AND FULL DAY CLASSES IN THE SUMMER. THE CENTER ALSO OFFERS OPEN STUDIO HOURS TO STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN WEEKLY CLASSES. THE OPEN STUDIO HOURS GIVE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON THEIR PROJECTS OUTSIDE OF CLASS TIME AND TO DEVELOP THEIR ARTISTIC SKILLS. WORKSHOPS: TO FURTHER ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, THE CENTER PRESENTS MONTHLY WORKSHOPS BY NATIONALLY KNOWN ARTISTS. VARYING IN LENGTH FROM ONE TO FIVE DAYS, THEY ARE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN AND BE INSPIRED BY TEACHERS AND WORKING ARTISTS. COMMUNITY ARTS: CLAY ART CENTER IS DEDICATED TO MAKING A LASTING IMPACT LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY BY PUTTING CLAY INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. WE DEVELOP MEANINGFUL PROGRAMS THAT BRING THE POWER OF CERAMIC ARTS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS, COLLABORATING WITH ORGANIZATIONS TO OFFER CLAY AS A TOOL FOR HEALING, SELF-EXPRESSION, AND ENRICHMENT. WE PARTNER WITH SCHOOLS, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES, SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS IN PORT CHESTER, WESTCHESTER COUNTY, AND BEYOND. THROUGH GRANT FUNDING AND GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS, WE OFFER FREE AND LOW-COST PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS, ENSURING THAT FINANCIAL BARRIERS NEVER STAND IN THE WAY OF EXPERIENCING THE TRANSFORMATIVE BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH CLAY.
- $166,207 spent. STUDIO ART PROGRAM: THE CENTER OFFERS ACCESS TO PRIVATE AND SHARED STUDIO SPACE FOR ARTISTS TO CONTINUE WORKING IN A COMMUNITY SETTING. ASSOCIATE ARTISTS HAVE ACCESS TO GLAZING AND FIRING FACILITIES. THE ARTIST, ONCE JURIED IN BY A PEER ARTIST COMMITTEE, PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEING A PART OF A VIBRANT COMMUNITY. THE CENTER'S STUDIOS ARE A PLACE WHERE CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT FLOURISH. ALL ARTISTS MUST DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO ASSIST WITH THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OTHER STUDIO CHORES. THE STUDIOS ARE WELL EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC WHEELS, EXTRUDERS, SLAB ROLLERS, PUG MILLS, ELECTRICK, AND GAS KILNS AND A COMMON, WELL STOCKED GLAZE AREA. EACH ARTIST HAS UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE CENTER'S FACILITIES. RESIDENCY PROGRAM: THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY PROGRAM BEGINS EACH SEPTEMBER AND IS AWARDED ANNUALLY TO THREE BACHELOR AND MASTERS OF FINE ARTS (BFA/MFA) GRADUATES. IT IS DESIGNED FOR EMERGING ARTISTS WHO NEED TIME AND SPACE TO DEVELOP THEIR VOICE. THEY GAIN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE TEACHING CLASSES AND CONTRIBUTE THEIR TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE BY MANAGING MANY JOBS AT THE STUDIO. RESIDENTS RECEIVE PRIVATE STUDIO SPACE, FULL ACCESS TO THE STUDIO'S FACILITIES AND A SHOW IN THE GALLERY AT THE END OF THE RESIDENCY. STUDIO ART PROGRAM: THE CENTER OFFERS ACCESS TO PRIVATE AND SHARED STUDIO SPACE FOR ARTISTS TO CONTINUE WORKING IN A COMMUNITY SETTING. ASSOCIATE ARTISTS HAVE ACCESS TO GLAZING AND FIRING FACILITIES. THE ARTIST, ONCE JURIED IN BY A PEER ARTIST COMMITTEE, PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEING A PART OF A VIBRANT COMMUNITY. THE CENTER'S STUDIOS ARE A PLACE WHERE CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT FLOURISH. ALL ARTISTS MUST DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO ASSIST WITH THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OTHER STUDIO CHORES. THE STUDIOS ARE WELL EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC WHEELS, EXTRUDERS, SLAB ROLLERS, PUG MILLS, ELECTRICK, AND GAS KILNS AND A COMMON, WELL STOCKED GLAZE AREA. EACH ARTIST HAS UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE CENTER'S FACILITIES. RESIDENCY PROGRAM: THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY PROGRAM BEGINS EACH SEPTEMBER AND IS AWARDED ANNUALLY TO THREE BACHELOR AND MASTERS OF FINE ARTS (BFA/MFA) GRADUATES. IT IS DESIGNED FOR EMERGING ARTISTS WHO NEED TIME AND SPACE TO DEVELOP THEIR VOICE. THEY GAIN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE TEACHING CLASSES AND CONTRIBUTE THEIR TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE BY MANAGING MANY JOBS AT THE STUDIO. RESIDENTS RECEIVE PRIVATE STUDIO SPACE, FULL ACCESS TO THE STUDIO'S FACILITIES AND A SHOW IN THE GALLERY AT THE END OF THE RESIDENCY.
- $208,065 spent. EXHIBITIONS: THE FOCUS OF THE GALLERY IS DEDICATED TO EXHIBITING CERAMICS; TO SHOWCASE THE WORK OF EMERGING AND UNDER RECOGNIZED, MID CAREER AND MATURE ARTISTS. ANNUALLY, THERE ARE JURIED SOLO AND GROUP INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS FEATURING EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED ARTISTS. THE SHOP AT THE CENTER HIGHLIGHTS HANDMADE POTTERY AND OBJECTS FOR THE HOME BY THE CENTER'S ARTISTS AND INVITED GUESTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE ANNUAL CLAY ARTS CENTER ARTIST HOLIDAY SHOW HAS BECOME KNOWN AS THE SHOWCASE FOR HANDMADE CERAMICS IN THE COUNTY, WHILE RISING STARTS ANNUAL STUDENT EXHIBITION FEATURES TALENT FROM THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 October 2007.
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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