Arts Asylum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 29% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE ARTS ASYLUM WAS CREATED TO PROVIDE SPACE AND ASSISTANCE TO ARTISTS OF ALL VARIETIES. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE OFFERING OF GALLERY SPACE TO BOTH CREATE AND SHARE AT AFFORDABLE RATES, STUDIOS FOR ARTISTS, THE JAMES AND MARJORIE THEATER FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS, AND ONGOING PROGRAMMING, AND ASSISTANCE FROM OUR TEAM.
- Income
- $291,853
- Spending
- $266,133
- Spent on programs
- 29%
- Reserves
- -20.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 45%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 100
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: 27 out of 100. Higher than 3% 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
2 of 20It owes 84% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1529% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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.
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, 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 (4)
- $52,980 spent. THEATRE PROGRAM - INCLUDES PRODUCING AND CO-PRODUCING AN ANNUAL SEASON OF PROFESSIONAL QUALITY PERFORMANCES FROM LOCAL TALENT AT ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE PRICES. IN ADDITION TO OUR OWN PRODUCTIONS, THE ARTS ASYLUM RENTS OUR FULLY-EQUIPPED THEATRE TO LOCAL COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.
- $19,075 spent. OUTREACH PROGRAMS - INCLUDES PROVIDING VISUAL ART WORKS TO THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AT THE ARTS ASYLUM'S ANNEX GALLERY AT CRAFT SAGE FINANCIAL SERVICES IN THE CROSSROADS, AT THE COMMUNITY ROOM AT PENDLETON ARTSBLOCK AND QUINLAN PLACE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS; COORDINATING ARTS PROGRAMMING AT PENDLETON ARTSBLOCK; AND MANAGING AN OUR TOWN GRANT FROM THE NEA ("LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE") THAT IS DEVELOPING A PUBLIC ARTS PROGRAM IN KANSAS CITY'S HISTORIC NORTHEAST.
- $5,453 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAM - INCLUDES PROVIDING THEATRE ARTS EDUCATION AT THE SOUTH KANSAS CITY PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY AS PART OF THE SCHOOL'S REGULAR CURRICULUM AND CONTRACTING WITH LOCAL PROFESSIONALS AS FACULTY. ADDITIONALLY, THE ARTS ASYLUM IS A KEY PARTNER WITH STARLIGHT THEATER IN TECH THEATER PROGRAM, WHICH TECH THEATRE TRAINING PROGRAM THAT IS DESIGNED TO EQUIP KANSAS CITY AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS AND TRAINING THAT CAN LEAD TO A FRUITFUL CAREER IN THE THEATRE AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES. PARTICIPANTS ARE TRAINED UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS.
- OTHER ARTS ASYLUM PROGRAM RELATED ACTIVITIES INCLUDING STUDIO INCOME
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 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 2024.
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 April 2013.
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.