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Summit Artspace

EIN 34-1841587 · Akron, OH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUMMIT ARTSPACE CONNECTS ARTISTS AND ARTIST-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO THRIVE PROFESSIONALLY, CREATIVELY, AND FINANCIALLY. ITS CORE VALUES OF CREATIVITY, COLLABORATION, AND COMMUNITY GUIDE THE CURRENT STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH FOCUSES ON SIX KEY PRIORITY AREAS: 1) SUPPORTING ARTISTS AT ALL LEVELS OF THEIR CREATIVE JOURNEY, 2) ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS THROUGH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, 3) SERVING AS A VITAL CREATIVE RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY, 4) INCREASING AWARENESS AND VISIBILITY THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, 5) BUILDING FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH REVENUE GROWTH AND 6) DIVERSIFYING ARTISTS WE SERVE. ADDITIONALLY, SUMMIT ARTSPACE SEEKS TO BUILD PUBLIC AWARENESS CONCERNING THE VALUE OF ARTISTS AS CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR AREA'S CREATIVE ECONOMY, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND PLACE-MAKING FOR THOSE THAT LIVE, WORK OR GO TO SCHOOL IN SUMMIT AND CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES.

Income
$681,420
Spending
$625,036
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
6
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$72,449, exec. dir.,r

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (3)
  1. $83,622 spent. SUMMIT ARTSPACE IS HOME TO FIVE GALLERIES: THE TAYLOR MAIN GALLERY, INTERSECTIONS GALLERY, WELCOME GALLERY, HORIZONS GALLERY AND FORUM GALLERY. THESE GALLERIES HOST OVER 25 EXHIBITIONS A YEAR, FEATURING LOCAL ARTISTS AND ENGAGING THOUSANDS OF VISITORS, BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUALLY. QUARTERLY EXHIBITION CYCLES FEATURE A WIDE VARIETY OF ARTISTS AND VISUAL MEDIUMS AND A COMBINATION OF JURIED, SOLO, AND GROUP ARTIST EXHIBITIONS. SUMMIT ARTSPACE MAINTAINS PUBLIC HOURS ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS. SUMMIT ARTSPACE CURATES COMMUNITY SPACES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY TO DISPLAY ART TO THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS DURING THEIR DAILY ACTIVITIES.
  2. $301,223 spent. PROGRAMS TO ASSIST ARTISTS WITH WRAPAROUND CARE AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS ARE AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR SUMMIT ARTSPACE TO IMPLEMENT THE AKRON CULTURAL PLAN ACROSS MULTIPLE PRIORITIES, INCLUDING TALENT DEVELOPMENT. A SIGNATURE OFFERING IS ITS ARTIST CARE PROGRAMS (ARTIST LAUNCHPAD, PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE, AND ONE-TO-ONE), WHICH PROVIDE ENTREPRENEURIAL AND SKILL BUILDING SESSIONS FROM LOCAL ARTISTS AND CONTENT EXPERTS TO SUPPORT ARTISTS AS THEY DEVELOP THEIR PRACTICES. PARTICIPATING ARTISTS REPRESENT MULTIPLE MEDIUMS INCLUDING THEATRE, DANCE AND VISUAL ART. PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED ON A SLIDING SCALE, AND MOST OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS TO PARTICIPANTS WHO REQUIRE FINANCIAL SUPPORT. SUMMIT ARTSPACE COLLABORATES WITH LOCAL ARTISTS AND ARTS/CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS TO OFFER REHEARSAL, MEETING, INSTRUCTION AND SPACE AT AN IN-KIND OR REDUCED RATE. SUMMIT ARTSPACE ALSO PROVIDES FISCAL SPONSORSHIP FOR ARTIST-CENTERED PROJECTS. PROGRAMS TO ASSIST ARTISTS WITH WRAPAROUND CARE AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS ARE AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR SUMMIT ARTSPACE TO IMPLEMENT THE AKRON CULTURAL PLAN ACROSS MULTIPLE PRIORITIES, INCLUDING TALENT DEVELOPMENT. A SIGNATURE OFFERING IS ITS ARTIST CARE PROGRAMS (ARTIST LAUNCHPAD, PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE, AND ONE-TO-ONE), WHICH PROVIDE ENTREPRENEURIAL AND SKILL BUILDING SESSIONS FROM LOCAL ARTISTS AND CONTENT EXPERTS TO SUPPORT ARTISTS AS THEY DEVELOP THEIR PRACTICES. PARTICIPATING ARTISTS REPRESENT MULTIPLE MEDIUMS INCLUDING THEATRE, DANCE AND VISUAL ART. PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED ON A SLIDING SCALE, AND MOST OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS TO PARTICIPANTS WHO REQUIRE FINANCIAL SUPPORT. SUMMIT ARTSPACE COLLABORATES WITH LOCAL ARTISTS AND ARTS/CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS TO OFFER REHEARSAL, MEETING, INSTRUCTION AND SPACE AT AN IN-KIND OR REDUCED RATE. SUMMIT ARTSPACE ALSO PROVIDES FISCAL SPONSORSHIP FOR ARTIST-CENTERED PROJECTS.
  3. $58,870 spent. SUMMIT ARTSPACE IS HOME TO NEARLY 30 ARTISTS AND ARTIST-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS FOR WORKING STUDIO SPACE THAT ALLOW ARTISTS TO CREATE WORK AND ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC. THE BUILDING, FORMALLY THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE AKRON BEACON JOURNAL AND THE AKRON PUBLIC LIBRARY, IS OWNED BY THE COUNTY OF SUMMIT, WHICH IS A VALUED PARTNER IN ENSURING FREE AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE ARTS. SUMMIT ARTSPACE PRODUCES PUBLIC PROGRAMS THAT ENCOURAGE A ROBUST AND SUSTAINED "EXCHANGE" BETWEEN THE NORTHEAST OHIO RESIDENTS AND SUMMIT COUNTY ARTISTS. OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED ARTS ENGAGEMENT, DIRECT CONNECTIONS WITH LOCAL ARTISTS, AND ARTWORK SALES. EVENTS INCLUDE ARTWALK, ARTIST SUNDAY, THE ARTS ALIVE AWARDS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS JUNIOR LEADERSHIP AKRON, SUMMIT DD, SUMMIT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. EMILIA SYKES (14TH CONGRESSIONAL STUDENT ARTS EXHIBITION). SUMMIT ARTSPACE IS HOME TO NEARLY 30 ARTISTS AND ARTIST-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS FOR WORKING STUDIO SPACE THAT ALLOW ARTISTS TO CREATE WORK AND ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC. THE BUILDING, FORMALLY THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE AKRON BEACON JOURNAL AND THE AKRON PUBLIC LIBRARY, IS OWNED BY THE COUNTY OF SUMMIT, WHICH IS A VALUED PARTNER IN ENSURING FREE AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE ARTS. SUMMIT ARTSPACE PRODUCES PUBLIC PROGRAMS THAT ENCOURAGE A ROBUST AND SUSTAINED "EXCHANGE" BETWEEN THE NORTHEAST OHIO RESIDENTS AND SUMMIT COUNTY ARTISTS. OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED ARTS ENGAGEMENT, DIRECT CONNECTIONS WITH LOCAL ARTISTS, AND ARTWORK SALES. EVENTS INCLUDE ARTWALK, ARTIST SUNDAY, THE ARTS ALIVE AWARDS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS JUNIOR LEADERSHIP AKRON, SUMMIT DD, SUMMIT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. EMILIA SYKES (14TH CONGRESSIONAL STUDENT ARTS EXHIBITION).

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1998.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.