516 Arts
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
516 ARTS is a non-collecting contemporary art museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico that celebrates thought-provoking art in the here and now. At the core of its mission, 516 ARTS seeks to connect contemporary artists and diverse audiences. Through exhibitions and public programs that feature a mix of local, national, and international artists, 516 ARTS offers programs that inspire curiosity, dialogue, and creative experimentation.
- Income
- $383,975
- Spending
- $727,576
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- -0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 45%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 14
- Highest pay
- $91,220, president/ed
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: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 89% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
- $277,529 spent. Exhibitions and Public ProgramsIn 2024, 516 ARTS presented a series of contemporary art exhibitions and over 40 public programs, including artist talks, panel discussions, performances, highlighting our continued collaborative approach. Our programming emphasized underrepresented voices and community-driven dialogue, reaching over 8,000 people in person and over 10,000 through digital and broadcast media. Admissions to the exhibitions are free to remain accessible.
- $112,050 spent. Youth Education516 ARTS expanded its youth education programs in 2024, serving over 750 students through in-school workshops, exhibition tours, youth-led art projects, youth exhibitions, and our 516 BRIDGES peer-to-peer program. This included partnerships with APS Title I schools and community groups to ensure inclusive, arts-based learning experiences focused on identity, place, and creative expression.
- $92,027 spent. Fulcrum FundThe Fulcrum Fund, part of the Andy Warhol Foundations Regional Regranting Program, awarded $55,565 in direct grants to New Mexico-based artists for independent, public-facing projects. The process included an open call and a panel of national guest jurors. The program continues to support experimental, risk-taking practices outside traditional institutions.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.