Chester County Art Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE CHESTER COUNTY ART ASSOCIATION IS TO BE A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION, CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY BY CONNECTING ARTISTS, STUDENTS, PATRONS AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY TO AND THROUGH ART. IN THE OVER 80 YEARS SINCE ITS FOUNDING, CCAA HAS CONTINUED TO FULFILL ITS GOAL OF "MAKING CHESTER COUNTY MORE ACTIVELY AND COURAGEOUSLY ART CONSCIOUS" (FROM CCAA'S ORIGINAL CHARTER).
- Income
- $741,783
- Spending
- $548,894
- Spent on programs
- 61%
- Reserves
- 7.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 69%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 30
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 86 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 56% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1561% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 97 out of 100.
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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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 (1)
- $332,395 spent. ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW FOUNDED IN 1931, THE CHESTER COUNTY ART ASSOCIATION (CCAA) IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO EDUCATING, INSPIRING, AND CONNECTING THE PEOPLE OF CHESTER COUNTY TO AND THROUGH THE ARTS. AS A SMALL NON-PROFIT ARTS CENTER, OUR GOAL IS TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY AND CREATIVE THINKING. WE BELIEVE THAT ART POSITIVELY IMPACTS EVERYONE; WE HELP DEVELOP INDIVIDUAL ABILITIES, FOSTER ART APPRECIATION, AND CREATE A SENSE OF ARTISTIC COMMUNITY. FINE ARTS CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS TEACH FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS AND ADVANCED TECHNIQUES. OUR MONTHLY ART EXHIBITIONS, LECTURES, AND ARTIST TALKS ALL PROVIDE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND CREATIVE DIALOGUE IN WELCOMING SPACES FOR ALL AGES ALIKE. CCAA WAS FOUNDED BY PROMINENT ARTISTS AND LEADERS IN THE CHESTER COUNTY COMMUNITY, INCLUDING N.C. WYETH, CHRISTIAN BRINTON, AND WILLIAM PALMER LEAR. THE ORIGINAL GROUP MET WEEKLY TO DRAW TOGETHER AND PLAN EXHIBITS. OFTEN THESE EXHIBITS INCLUDED THE WORKS OF ANDREW WYETH, HORACE PIPPIN, TOM BOSTELLE, BARCLAY RUBINCAM, PHILIP JAMISON, PETER SCULTHORPE AND HARRY DUNN. WHILE THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A PERMANENT SPACE FOR THE ORGANIZATION, MEMBERS OF CCAA MET IN THE DEHAVEN HOUSE IN EAST FALLOWFIELD, PA, AND SPACES AT WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY. THE PRESENT MAIN FACILITY IN WEST CHESTER WAS BUILT IN 1953. THE GENEROUS GIFT OF LAND FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS, TOTALING OVER FIVE ACRES, MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR CCAA TO HAVE A PERMANENT HOME IN THE WEST CHESTER COMMUNITY. AS A RESULT OF RENOVATIONS COMPLETED IN 2017, THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO ADD A NEW DARKROOM AND DIGITAL STUDIO, A LIBRARY, NEW OFFICE SPACES, THE SHOPART GIFT STORE, AND UPGRADES TO THE CERAMIC STUDIO AND BOTH GALLERY SPACES. MISSION CHESTER COUNTY ART ASSOCIATION (CCAA) IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO EDUCATING, INSPIRING, AND CONNECTING THE PEOPLE OF CHESTER COUNTY TO AND THROUGH THE ARTS. MEMBERSHIP THE CHESTER COUNTY ART ASSOCIATION IS GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS THROUGHOUT 2025. OUR WORK TOWARDS FULFILLING OUR MISSION WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR MEMBERSHIP BASE. IN 2025, MEMBERSHIP DUES WERE 25 FOR A YOUNG ARTIST MEMBERSHIP, 30 FOR A STUDENT MEMBERSHIP, 40 FOR A SENIOR MEMBERSHIP, 50 FOR AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP AND 75 FOR A HOUSEHOLD MEMBERSHIP. BENEFITS INCLUDED THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR JANUARY MEMBER SHOW, OCTOBER MEMBER SHOW AND 300 AND UNDER MEMBER SHOW, AS WELL AS DISCOUNTS ON ALL CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS HELD AT CCAA. 2025 GALLERY SCHEDULE JANUARY 2025 LISA FEDON - "THE EVOLVING CREATIVITY OF LISA FEDON 1975-2024" MIA FABRIZO "BLINDSIDED" FEBRUARY 2025 MEMBER SHOW BLACK HISTORY MONTH - "THE 20 MEN PROJECT" MARCH 2025 "EO OMWAKE; RECENT AND PAST" CARY GALBRAITH - "SIMPLE REALISM - MY PAINTIN JOURNEY" APRIL 2025 HIGH SCHOOL SHOW MAY 2025 VIEW: EXPERIENCE THE ART OF THE CHESTER COUNTY STUDIO TOUR SEPTEMBER 2025 PCW PHILADELPHIA COLLAGEWORKS "ALPHABET SOUP" - TYPOGRAPHY GROUP SHOW OCTOBER 2025 MEMBERS SHOW CAROL LESHER - WINNER OF OCTOBER 2024 SHOW NOVEMBER 2025 CERAMIC GROUP - INVITATIONAL "FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION" TEMRE STANCHFIELD & SCOTT SNEDDON - "SHARED SENSIBILITY." DECEMBER 2025 300 AND UNDER STUDENT/FACULTY SHOW- 3RD ANNUAL YEAR-ROUND ART INSTRUCTION FEE-BASED INSTRUCTION IS OFFERED FOR ALL AGES IN OIL PAINTING, WATERCOLOR, ACRYLIC, DRAWING, SCULPTURE, CERAMICS, JEWELRY, PHOTOGRAPHY, PRINTMAKING, MIXED MEDIA, AND MUCH MORE. IN 2025, 366 IN-PERSON CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS RAN BETWEEN JANUARY 2025 AND DECEMBER 2025. 1429 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN THESE CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS. ADDITIONALLY, 127 OPEN STUDIO SESSIONS WERE OFFERED WITH 400 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN CCAA'S OPEN CERAMICS STUDIO BETWEEN JANUARY 2025 AND DECEMBER 2025. 2025 SUMMER CAMP THE CHESTER COUNTY ART ASSOCIATION WAS THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO ONCE AGAIN OFFER OUR SIGNATURE SUMMER CAMP IN 2025. WITH SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR INSTRUCTORS AND PARTICIPANTS, WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE A FUN AND CREATIVE SUMMER CCAA WAS ABLE TO OFFER 112 EDUCATIONAL ART CAMP OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS AGED 5-17. DURING THE 10-WEEK CAMP PERIOD, 1129 CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS PARTICIPATED, MANY RETURNING FOR MULTIPLE WEEKS. ART IN THE WOODS CCAA'S 1ST ANNUAL ART IN THE WOODS TOOK PLACE ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2025. THIS FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT FEATURED 70+ LOCAL ARTISTS, LIVE MUSIC, AND A NEW WALKING TRAIL WITH 2D AND 3D ARTWORK. CHRISTKINDLMARKT CCAA'S 6TH ANNUAL CHRISTKINDLMARKT TOOK PLACE ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2025. THIS FUN HOLIDAY MARKET WELCOMED OVER 10,000 VISITORS AND FEATURED 100 + LOCAL ARTIST VENDORS. ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW FOUNDED IN 1931, THE CHESTER COUNTY ART ASSOCIATION (CCAA) IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO EDUCATING, INSPIRING, AND CONNECTING THE PEOPLE OF CHESTER COUNTY TO AND THROUGH THE ARTS. AS A SMALL NON-PROFIT ARTS CENTER, OUR GOAL IS TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY AND CREATIVE THINKING. WE BELIEVE THAT ART POSITIVELY IMPACTS EVERYONE; WE HELP DEVELOP INDIVIDUAL ABILITIES, FOSTER ART APPRECIATION, AND CREATE A SENSE OF ARTISTIC COMMUNITY. FINE ARTS CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS TEACH FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS AND ADVANCED TECHNIQUES. OUR MONTHLY ART EXHIBITIONS, LECTURES, AND ARTIST TALKS ALL PROVIDE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND CREATIVE DIALOGUE IN WELCOMING SPACES FOR ALL AGES ALIKE. CCAA WAS FOUNDED BY PROMINENT ARTISTS AND LEADERS IN THE CHESTER COUNTY COMMUNITY, INCLUDING N.C. WYETH, CHRISTIAN BRINTON, AND WILLIAM PALMER LEAR. THE ORIGINAL GROUP MET WEEKLY TO DRAW TOGETHER AND PLAN EXHIBITS. OFTEN THESE EXHIBITS INCLUDED THE WORKS OF ANDREW WYETH, HORACE PIPPIN, TOM BOSTELLE, BARCLAY RUBINCAM, PHILIP JAMISON, PETER SCULTHORPE AND HARRY DUNN. WHILE THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A PERMANENT SPACE FOR THE ORGANIZATION, MEMBERS OF CCAA MET IN THE DEHAVEN HOUSE IN EAST FALLOWFIELD, PA, AND SPACES AT WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY. THE PRESENT MAIN FACILITY IN WEST CHESTER WAS BUILT IN 1953. THE GENEROUS GIFT OF LAND FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS, TOTALING OVER FIVE ACRES, MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR CCAA TO HAVE A PERMANENT HOME IN THE WE
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 1950.
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.
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.