Association for Public Art
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ASSOCIATION FOR PUBLIC ART (APA) COLLABORATES WITH ARTISTS AND COMMUNITIES TO MAKE PUBLIC ART ACCESSIBLE TO ALL AND CREATE AN ENDURING LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. DEDICATED TO CREATING A MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS THAT INSPIRES DIVERSE AUDIENCES, THE APA COMMISSIONS, PRESERVES, INTERPRETS AND PROMOTES PUBLIC ART IN PHILADELPHIA. SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1872 AS THE NATION'S FIRST PRIVATE NON-PROFIT PUBLIC ART ORGANIZATION, THE APA HAS BEEN A MODEL OF PUBLIC ART CREATION, CONSERVATION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT THRIVES ON CONTINUITY DISTINGUISHED BY A COMMITMENT TO PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY ARTWORKS. THE APA SUPPORTS THE INTEGRATION OF PUBLIC ART AND URBAN DESIGN THROUGH EXEMPLARY PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, DIGITAL CONTENT, AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS THAT CONNECT PEOPLE WITH PUBLIC ART.
- Income
- $2.3 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 75%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 13
- Highest pay
- $216,140, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 2513 of 13 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 October 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)
- $274,347 spent. ACQUIRE AND COMMISSION PUBLIC ART: THE ASSOCIATION FOR PUBLIC ART (APA) IS DEDICATED TO CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS TO RESPOND TO THE ISSUES OF OUR TIME, WHILE REDEFINING PUBLIC SPACE AND ENCOURAGING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND INTERACTION. A RECIPIENT OF THE NATIONAL PUBLIC ART NETWORK AWARD FROM THE AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS (AFTA), THE APA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS INNOVATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS, ENDURING COMMITMENT, AND LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC ART.FY 2025 HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED AN EXHIBITION OF EDWARD H. SCHWARTZ'S COLLECTION OF PUBLIC ART AND ARCHITECTURE IMAGES AT THE PHOTOLOUNGE, AND THE SECOND YEAR OF "ART ON THE PARKWAY" FEATURING AN OPEN CALL, JURY ARTIST SELECTION, AND INSTALLATION OF NICOLO GENTILE'S "BAR NONE" IN MAJA PARK. DEVELOPMENTS ADVANCED REGARDING BRINGING PAUL RAMIREZ JONAS' "LET FREEDOM RING" TO PHILADELPHIA, AND ON A STRATEGIC PLAN INCORPORATING IDEAS FOR THE FUTURE DIRECTION FOR THE APA.THE APA'S AWARD WINNING OUTDOOR SCULPTURE CONSERVATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM CELEBRATED FORTY-THREE YEARS OF CONTINUOUS OPERATION FOR 30+ ARTWORKS AROUND THE CITY IN FY 2025. ADDITIONAL SPECIAL CONSERVATION PROJECTS INCLUDED THE SURFACE PASSIVATION OF ROXY PAINE'S "SYMBIOSIS" (2011), A STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ASSESSMENT OF MARTIN PURYEAR'S "PAVILION IN THE TREES" (1993), AND PLANNING FOR THE EXHIBITION AND REPATRIATION OF A KWAKWAKA'WAKA KWAKU'L "HOUSE POST" (C. 1850) TO THE U'MISTA CULTURAL CENTRE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.INTERPRETIVE EFFORTS INCLUDED THE LAUNCH OF THE "PUBLIC ART DECODED" IN-PERSON WALKING TOUR SERIES, "MATERIAL MATTERS" BEHIND-THE-SCENES CONSERVATION SERIES, AN ARTIST TALK AND PANEL DISCUSSION FOR "BAR NONE, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS AROUND PHILADELPHIA, INCLUDING SERVICE ON THE BOARD OF THE PARKWAY COUNCIL."ART ON THE PARKWAY": 2025 WAS THE SECOND YEAR FOR "ART ON THE PARKWAY," A PUBLIC ART COMPETITION CO-ORGANIZED BY THE APA AND THE PARKWAY COUNCIL, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PHILADELPHIA PARKS AND RECREATION (PPR). THE OPEN CALL INVITED PHILADELPHIA-AREA ARTISTS, DESIGNERS, AND OTHER CREATIVES TO PROPOSE A TEMPORARY PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION IN MAJA PARK ON THE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PARKWAY AS PART OF THE OVAL ANNUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL. "BAR NONE" BY PHILADELPHIA-BASED ARTIST NICOLO GENTILE WAS SELECTED BY A JURY OF THREE LOCAL PUBLIC ART RELATED PROFESSIONALS, AND WAS ON VIEW FROM JULY TO OCTOBER, 2025. "BAR NONE" HONORED THE PARKWAY'S LEGACY AS A SITE OF COLLECTIVE ASSEMBLY, ACTION, OVERLAPPING MOVEMENTS, AND VOICES IN PURSUIT OF JUSTICE, CELEBRATION, AND CHANGE. COLORED ACRYLIC PANELS ETCHED WITH IMAGES SOURCED FROM HISTORIC ARCHIVES REFLECTED MOMENTS OF PROTEST, PRIDE, AND PUBLIC GATHERING. "LET FREEDOM RING": PLANNING EFFORTS CONTINUED TO BRING PAUL RAMIREZ JONAS' SCULPTURE "LET FREEDOM RING" TO PHILADELPHIA, INITIALLY EXHIBITED BY MONUMENT LAB IN 2023 ON THE NATIONAL MALL IN WASHINGTON, DC. IN 2025 THE APA MET WITH THE ARTIST AND LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS AT VARIOUS POTENTIAL SITES, AND IDENTIFIED THE CHERRY STREET PIER AS THE LOCATION FOR THE INSTALLATION. ADDITIONALLY, APA RECEIVED GRANT AWARDS FOR THIS 250TH SEMI-QUINCENTENNIAL PROJECT, ARRANGED CONTRACTS WITH THE ARTIST AND FABRICATOR/INSTALLER, AND MET WITH PROGRAMMING PARTNERS FOR THE 2026 PHILADELPHIA INSTALLATION. "PUBLIC ART DECODED" TOURS: IN FY 2025 APA LAUNCHED ITS FIRST ANNUAL SERIES OF WALKING TOURS THAT PROVIDE IN-DEPTH PERSPECTIVES ON SCULPTURES AND INSTALLATIONS SITED IN POPULAR PHILADELPHIA LOCATIONS. "PUBLIC ART DECODED" EXPLORES ARTWORK BACKGROUNDS, ARTISTS, AND UNTOLD STORIES WITHIN A HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT. IN FY 2025 THE SERIES INCLUDED "HORTICULTURE CENTER: ART MEETS NATURE IN AN URBAN PARK" WITH THE SHOFUSO JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER, "ELLEN PHILLIPS SAMUEL MEMORIAL: ICONS & MYTHS" LED BY CURATOR BRITTANY WEBB, "RITTENHOUSE SQUARE: URBAN DESIGN & VISUAL ART" WITH THE FRIENDS OF RITTENHOUSE SQUARE, AND "OLD CITY: PUBLIC ART IN THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICA" WITH OLD CITY DISTRICT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB ITZKOWITZ."MATERIAL MATTERS": THE APA'S POPULAR "COFFEE WITH A CONSERVATOR" MEMBER'S EVENT SERIES EVOLVED INTO A NEW PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM "MATERIAL MATTERS" CENTERED AROUND CONSERVATION AND COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT ISSUES. IN FY 2025 ON-SITE PROGRAMS INCLUDED ONE ON WOOD RELATED TO "PAVILION IN THE TREES" WITH THE FAIRMOUNT PARK CONSERVANCY, AND "SYMBIOSIS AND STEEL" WITH CONSERVATOR ADAM JENKINS."SYMBIOSIS" PASSIVATION: IN FY 2025 WITH FUNDING FROM THE DANIEL W. DIETRICH II FOUNDATION, APA ENGAGED BIG MESA PRODUCTIONS LLC TO UNDERTAKE A SURFACE PASSIVATION OF ROXY PAINE'S 34' TALL STAINLESS-STEEL SCULPTURE "SYMBIOSIS" (2011). THE CHEMICAL PASSIVATION PROCESS INVOLVED PRESSURE WASHING THE SCULPTURE WITH WATER AND A NON-TOXIC CITRIC-ACID BASED SOLUTION, FOLLOWED BY SURFACE REFINISHING AND AN INSPECTION. "SYMBIOSIS" INITIALLY RECEIVED SURFACE PASSIVATION IN 2015 AS PART OF ITS PHILADELPHIA INSTALLATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED TO RENEW THE PROCESS EVERY TEN YEARS TO HELP RESTORE THE PROTECTIVE OXIDE BARRIER FOR IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE, AN ENHANCED APPEARANCE, AND MATERIAL LONGEVITY."PAVILION IN THE TREES" STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT: IN EARLY FY 2025 APA MET WITH FAIRMOUNT PARK CONSERVANCY (FPC) CONSERVATOR ANDREW STAPLES AND TINY WPA FOR A CONVERSATION ABOUT CONSERVATION. THEN, IN SPRING 2025 APA CLOSED "PAVILION IN THE TREES" TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO STRUCTURAL INSTABILITY AND ENGAGED J&M PRESERVATION STUDIO ENGINEERS TO UNDERTAKE A STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ASSESSMENT. A UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA GRADUATE PRESERVATION CLASS USED THE ARTWORK AS A CASE-STUDY, PROVIDING ON-SITE DATA USED FOR THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ANALYSIS BY J&M PRESERVATION STUDIO AND THEIR CONSULTING CONSERVATORS, HERITAGE CONSERVATION COLLABORATIVE. PHOTOLOUNGE EXHIBIT: IN SPRING 2025 APA PARTICIPATED IN AN EXHIBITION FEATURING IMAGES OF PUBLIC ART AND ARCHITECTURE BY EDWARD H. SCHWARTZ FROM APA'S ARCHIVES AT THE PHOTOLOUNGE PL130 GALLERY."HOUSE POST" REPATRIATION AND EXHIBITION: THE APA WILL BE RETURNING A KWAKWAKA'WAKW KWAGU'L FIRST NATION 12'6" HIGH,1,000-PO
- $486,885 spent. PRESERVE PUBLIC ART: THE APA'S COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT AGENDA FOR 2025 CELEBRATED FORTY-THREE YEARS OF CONTINUOUS OPERATION, AND INCLUDED OUTDOOR SCULPTURE CONSERVATION, SPECIAL CONSERVATION TREATMENTS, LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION, DONATIONS AND DEACCESSIONS, AND THE DIGITIZATION OF APA'S HISTORIC ARCHIVES.OUTDOOR SCULPTURE CONSERVATION: THE APA'S ANNUAL OUTDOOR SCULPTURE CONSERVATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM IS THE LONGEST CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING OUTDOOR SCULPTURE CONSERVATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM IN THE NATION. DURING FY 2025 OVER THIRTY BRONZE, METAL, STONE, MOSAIC, AND WOOD SCULPTURES OF HISTORIC AND ARTISTIC SIGNIFICANCE RECEIVED TREATMENT. THE SCULPTURES WERE INSPECTED, CLEANED, AND STABILIZED TO PROTECT THEM FROM FURTHER DETERIORATION. THE APA'S PARTNERS IN THIS WORK INCLUDE THE FAIRMOUNT PARK CONSERVANCY, CITY OF PHILADELPHIA'S PUBLIC ART OFFICE, PHILADELPHIA PARKS & RECREATION, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND NUMEROUS CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS. IN RECENT YEARS THE APA RECEIVED THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL STEWARDSHIP OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES FROM THE PHILADELPHIA PRESERVATION ALLIANCE.SPECIAL CONSERVATION TREATMENTS: AS PART OF OUR STEWARDSHIP AND ONGOING MAINTENANCE EFFORTS, EMERGENCIES (INCLUDING STORM DAMAGE, VANDALISM, AND GRAFFITI REMOVAL) WERE ALSO ADDRESSED. ADDITIONAL TREATMENT WORK IN 2025 INCLUDED CONTINUING DEFERRED MAINTENANCE OF JO DAVIDSON'S "WALT WHITMAN" (1939, CAST 1957), A NEW GRANITE BASE FOR EDWARD STAUCH'S "NIGHT" (1872 APA'S FIRST GIFT), AND THE SURFACE PASSIVATION OF ROXY PAINE'S "SYMBIOSIS" (2011).LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE: THE APA OVERSEES ONGOING LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION AT THE "ELLEN PHILLIPS SAMUEL MEMORIAL SCULPTURE GARDEN" IN FAIRMOUNT PARK. DONATIONS & DEACCESSIONS: IN 2025 OUTREACH CONTINUED REGARDING THE REPATRIATION, DONATION AND DEACCESSION OF VARIOUS ARTWORKS FROM APA'S DECOMMISSIONED INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE GARDEN, INCLUDING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN AND U'MISTA CULTURAL CENTRE, KWAKWAKA'WAKW FIRST NATION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA REGARDING THE REPATRIATION OF A 19TH CENTURY "HOUSE POST." OVERALL PRESERVATION CONCERNS ARE BROADCAST THROUGH THE MEDIA, BUILDING INTEREST AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC ART CONSERVATION THROUGH CONTRIBUTORS TO APA'S CONSERVATION SOCIETY. THE APA ALSO ADVISES AND COLLABORATES WITH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING PHILADELPHIA PARKS & RECREATION, THE CITY'S PUBLIC ART OFFICE, PHILADELPHIA PRESERVATION ALLIANCE, FAIRMOUNT PARK CONSERVANCY, AND PARKWAY COUNCIL TO PROMOTE AWARENESS AND THE NEED FOR ONGOING CARE OF THE CITY'S HISTORIC TREASURES.
- $295,665 spent. INTERPRET AND PROMOTE PUBLIC ART: PUBLIC ART IS AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE IN THE COURSE OF THEIR DAILY LIVES, AND APA'S "MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS" IS OPEN ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT. BY THIS VERY DEFINITION OUR AUDIENCE IS LARGE AND DIVERSE AND INCLUDES ALL AGE GROUPS, AS WELL AS PEDESTRIANS, MOTORISTS, BICYCLISTS AND RUNNERS.INTERPRETATION: TO INTERPRET AND PROMOTE PUBLIC ART, APA'S MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS: AUDIO PROGRAM FEATURES PARTICIPANTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, INCLUDING ARTISTS, RELATIVES, SCHOLARS, CURATORS, HISTORIANS, CIVIC LEADERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THIS CONTENT-RICH PROGRAM WAS FURTHER DEVELOPED IN FY 2025, AND NOW INCLUDES MORE THAN SEVENTY-FIVE STOPS (MOST WITH INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE) AND OVER 200 DIVERSE VOICES. THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO EXPAND WITH AUDIO FOR NEW INSTALLATIONS AND HISTORIC WORKS, AS FUNDING ALLOWS. AUDIO SEGMENTS ARE PRODUCED IN-HOUSE IN COLLABORATION WITH ROWHOUSE PRODUCTIONS, AND ARE ACCESSIBLE ON APA'S WEBSITE THROUGH AN INTERACTIVE MAP, THE BLOOMBERG CONNECTS ARTS AND CULTURE APP, A DIAL-IN AUDIO SYSTEM PAIRED WITH A PRINTED PUBLIC ART MAP, AND AS A SLIDE SHOW ON YOUTUBE AND VIMEO. PUBLIC PROGRAMS & EVENTS: THE APA OFFERS PUBLIC PROGRAMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. THE APA CONTINUED TO DEVELOP ITS ROBUST OFFERING OF "DEEP-DIVE" MATERIAL, CROSS PROMOTE PROGRAMS, AND PROVIDE PUBLIC ART TOURS AND TALKS.THE APA PRODUCED A VARIETY OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS RELATED TO "ART ON THE PARKWAY." THESE INCLUDED AN ARTIST TALK BY ARTIST NICOLO GENTILE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FREE LIBRARY AT THEIR MAIN BRANCH ON THE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PARKWAY. THE PRESENTATION INCLUDED A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH THE ARTIST, CURATOR SUZANNA URMINSKA FROM THE LIBRARY, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVIST JOHN PETITT, AND APA'S CHARLOTTE COHEN. ADDITIONALLY, A FREE PUBLIC COLLAGE WORKSHOP "ASSEMBLAGE: EXPLORING SOCIAL CHANGE THROUGH COLLAGE" WAS PRESENTED BY COLLAGE PHILADELPHIA AT THE LIBRARY.OTHER FY 2025 PUBLIC PROGRAMS INCLUDED PARTICIPATION IN THE HORTICULTURE CENTER'S CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL THROUGH A BRANDED INFORMATIONAL TABLE, AND EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL BLOOMBERG CONNECTS PROGRAM WITH TARGETED MAILINGS TO SPECIFIC PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS. SOCIAL MEDIA: THE APA LEVERAGES DIGITAL MEDIA TO ENHANCE OUR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS AND CONTINUES TO UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY TO INCREASE ITS ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY. THE APA HAS DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY AND MAINTAINS AN ACTIVE PRESENCE ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE, AND VIMEO. THROUGH INTERACTIVE POSTS, APA ENCOURAGES DISCUSSIONS AND ENGAGEMENT AROUND PUBLIC ART, SHARING EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INCLUDING HISTORIC IMAGES AND INFORMATION FROM ITS ARCHIVES, LESSER-KNOWN PUBLIC ART STORIES, AND EDUCATIONAL CONTENT ABOUT ART CONSERVATION. PLANS PROGRESSED IN 2025 FOR AN UPDATE AND REFRESH OF THE APA'S AWARD-WINNING RESPONSIVE WEBSITE. FY 2025 ALSO MARKED APA'S SECOND YEAR OF INCLUSION IN BLOOMBERG CONNECTS, THE FREE ARTS AND CULTURE APP HIGHLIGHTING 450+ CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS WORLDWIDE, WITH OVER 533 APP USERS ACCESSING APA'S MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS PROGRAM IN FY 2025.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 November 6, 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 October 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 January 1952.
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 November 4, 2026.
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