Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE LYRIC THEATRE AND CULTURAL ARTS CENTER IS TO PRESERVE, PROMOTE, PRESENT AND CELEBRATE DIVERSE CULTURES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH ARTISTIC PRESENTATIONS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND OUTREACH.
- Income
- $573,972
- Spending
- $460,125
- Spent on programs
- 54%
- Reserves
- 15.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 29%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $92,464, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1553% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
0 of 7Reports no 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
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 June 30, 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)
- $246,129 spent. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE LYRIC THEATRE & CULTURAL ARTS CENTER CONTINUED TO SERVE AS AN IMPORTANT CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE FOR LEXINGTON AND THE SURROUNDING REGION. THE ORGANIZATION FULFILLED ITS NONPROFIT MISSION BY PROVIDING ARTS EDUCATION, CULTURAL PROGRAMMING, HISTORICAL PRESERVATION, ARTIST SUPPORT, AND AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE ARTS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS.ARTS EDUCATION AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING:THE LYRIC PROVIDED YOUTH ARTS PROGRAMS, THEATRE WORKSHOPS, AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, CULTURAL ARTS INSTRUCTION, AND CREATIVE ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ENCOURAGED CREATIVITY, SELF-EXPRESSION, CONFIDENCE, AND PERSONAL GROWTH. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERED FREE WEEKLY COMMUNITY CLASSES EVERY TUESDAY INCLUDING YOGA, AFROBEATS DANCE, LATIN DANCE, ACTING CLASSES, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL FILMMAKERS TO SHOWCASE AMATEUR FILMS. SCHOLARSHIPS AND FREE PROGRAMMING HELPED REMOVE FINANCIAL BARRIERS FOR PARTICIPATION.COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS:THE LYRIC HOSTED CONCERTS, FESTIVALS, SPEAKER SERIES, FILM SCREENINGS, WELLNESS ACTIVITIES, EDUCATIONAL FORUMS, CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS, AND CIVIC EVENTS THAT BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND INCREASED PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN ARTS AND CULTURE. MANY EVENTS WERE FREE OR AFFORDABLE TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY FOR UNDERSERVED AND LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS.ARTIST DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT:THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED LOCAL AND REGIONAL ARTISTS BY PROVIDING PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES, EXHIBITION SPACE, TECHNICAL SUPPORT, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, PROFESSIONAL EXPOSURE, AND FAIR COMPENSATION. THESE EFFORTS HELPED STRENGTHEN LEXINGTON'S LOCAL ARTS ECONOMY AND PROVIDED MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED ARTISTS.HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND CULTURAL HERITAGE:AS A HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTION, THE LYRIC PRESERVED AND CELEBRATED LOCAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, STORYTELLING PROGRAMS, PERFORMANCES, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. THESE PROGRAMS HELPED EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS, CULTURE, AND HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.FACILITY AND COMMUNITY USE:THE LYRIC PROVIDED AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE SPACE FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, CIVIC GROUPS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO HOST MEETINGS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, PERFORMANCES, AND PUBLIC EVENTS. THE FACILITY SERVED THOUSANDS OF PATRONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND REMAINED A CENTRAL GATHERING SPACE FOR COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND ENGAGEMENT.USE OF DONATIONS AND GRANTS:DONATIONS, SPONSORSHIPS, AND GRANT FUNDING WERE USED TO EXPAND ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SUPPORT FREE AND AFFORDABLE PUBLIC PROGRAMMING, INVEST IN ARTIST DEVELOPMENT, IMPROVE OPERATIONAL CAPACITY, AND MAINTAIN THE HISTORIC FACILITY. FUNDING ALSO SUPPORTED TECHNOLOGY AND FACILITY UPGRADES INCLUDING LIGHTING, SOUND EQUIPMENT, FURNISHINGS, AND INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS THAT ENHANCED VISITOR EXPERIENCES AND PROGRAM DELIVERY.ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH AND VOLUNTEER SUPPORT:THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED EXPANDING ITS PROGRAMMING AND OUTREACH EFFORTS THROUGH PERSONNEL GROWTH, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS. APPROXIMATELY 15 VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTED EVENTS, PROGRAMMING, OPERATIONS, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 March 2011.
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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