Ann Arbor Art Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To be a contemporary forum for thevisual arts through education, exploration, collaboration and exhibition, and to engage minds, expand perspectives and inspire growth in students of all ages, teachers, artists, and the community.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 2.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 51%
- Employees
- 37
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $144,096, executive director
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
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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 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 (3)
- $645,170 spent. Art Education: The Ann Arbor Art Center art education programs provide an array of experiential learning opportunities for individuals of all ages and skill levels. Last year, we continued to expand our in-person programming. Class mediums ranged from traditional (painting, drawing, and printmaking) to contemporary (polymer clay and digital drawing). All classes are taught by experienced instructors with MFA, BFA, or art education degrees. Of note, in 2023, the A2AC revived its ARTLab program, which was conceived in 2019 and halted due to COVID. Through this program, which offers digital arts classes, students gain knowledge and skills that can be applied to a wide range of professions as well as their own creative development. Overall, our education program is serving 33 percent more students than ever before, and still our waitlists have seen a five-fold increase to-date totaling nearly 1,000 students.
- $382,027 spent. Art Presentation: Our art presentation program is designed to elevate, challenge, and inspire our community. The selection of artists, curators, and jurors for exhibitions broadens our reach. It provides valuable time and space for the creative community to expand their practice in exciting new ways at every stage of their creative journey. Governed by a talented and creative exhibitions committee, our Art Presentation program expanded in 2023 to offer free community programs designed to connect families with art experiences (PlayLab) and our new Author Series, which includes creative writing in our overall art experiences. Additionally, last year we hosted not only the first performing arts group in A2AC history, but also the first AAPIA-based group in our gallery. Our Art Presentation program resulted in the A2AC financially supported the artistic endeavors of 40 professional artists and 18 authors through artist honorariums.
- $432,126 spent. In 2023, the A2AC revived its award-winning Art in Public Program (AiP), which was put on hold due to the financial constraints created by the COVID-19 pandemic. AiP is rooted in the belief that the experience of art should be accessible and equitable to everyone. In this program, we collaborate with local organizations, businesses, and individuals to bring high-quality art into public spaces. By the end of 2024, the A2AC will add at least six new artworks to the Ann Arbor community, adding to the 18 installations completed prior to 2020. AiP not only benefits our community, but also generates income for working artists.
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 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 2025.
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 November 1945.
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.