Minnesota Museum of American Art
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE M INSPIRES UNDERSTANDINGS OF IDENTITIES, EXPERIENCES, AND COMPLEX TRUTHS THROUGH AMERICAN ART.
- Income
- $10.1 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- -6.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 81%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $183,970, 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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 70% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 677% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
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
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 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 (2)
- $1.6 million spent. EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS:IN THIS FISCAL YEAR, JULY 2024 THROUGH JUNE 2025, THE M CONTINUED TO COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PRESENT EXHIBITIONS THAT FOSTER UNDERSTANDING OF AMERICAN IDENTITIES, EXPERIENCES, AND COMPLEX TRUTHS FROM WIDE RANGING PERSPECTIVES IN DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL. THE M ESTABLISHED NEW PARTNERSHIPS, WHILE MAINTAINING LONGSTANDING ONES. THE PARTNERSHIPS WERE WIDE-RANGING, BUT STORYTELLING AND BRIDGE-BUILDING ACROSS DIFFERENT LIVED EXPERIENCES WERE CONSISTENT ELEMENTS, INCLUDING SUPPORTING EMERGING AND UNDERREPRESENTED ARTISTS AND CURATORS. IN OCTOBER 2024, THE MUSEUM CELEBRATED THE COMPLETION OF ITS NEW WING, TRIPLING GALLERY SPACE AND FULFILLING A LONG-STANDING VISION FOR A MORE EXPANSIVE, ACCESSIBLE, AND INCLUSIVE M. THE NEW WING ALLOWS FOR INCREASED VISITORSHIP, WITH MORE THAN 25,000 VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM THIS YEAR. THE M HOSTED EXHIBITIONS IN ITS ORIGINAL GALLERIES AND WORKED WITH COLLABORATORS TO ACTIVATE THE SKYWAYSALL TO PROVIDE FREE, ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF ART, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY. 1. HERE, NOW: SELECTIONS FROM THE M'S PERMANENT COLLECTION (OCTOBER 17, 2024-MAY 2027): THE FIRST MAJOR EXHIBITION OF PERMANENT COLLECTION WORKS IN THE M'S NEW WING, THIS EXHIBITION BRINGS TOGETHER 150 ARTWORKS ACROSS MEDIAPAINTINGS, WORKS ON PAPER, SCULPTURES, CERAMICS, TEXTILES, AND JEWELRYFROM HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT AND NOTABLE NEW ARTISTS ALIKE. HERE, NOW CONSIDERS KINSHIP SYSTEMS AND INTERCONNECTIONS BETWEEN ARTISTS INCLUDING GEORGE MORRISON (GRAND PORTAGE, OJIBWE) AND LOUISE NEVELSON, GRANT WOOD AND ELIZABETH CATLETT, WARREN MACKENZIE AND JOAN MITCHELL. 2. WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MIRROR . . . (FEBRUARY 13-AUGUST 3, 2025): THROUGH EVERY ERA, CONVENTION, AND FORM, PORTRAITURE IS BUILT ON THE ARTIST'S PERCEPTION OF BOTH PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS. TO BE PERCEIVED IN THIS WAY IS EXCEPTIONALLY VULNERABLE. THROUGH THIS RELATIONSHIP, THE ARTIST CREATES SOMETHING TANGIBLE FROM SOMETHING ABSTRACT. TAKING ITS TITLE FROM A SONG LYRIC ON CHARLI XCX'S ALBUM BRAT, WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MIRROR . . . IS AN OFFERING OF PORTRAITS THAT CONSIDERS THE REPERCUSSIONS OF PERCEPTION THROUGH A RELATIONAL EMPHASIS: WHO IS DEPICTING WHOM? AND WHY DOES THAT MATTER?3. HILO DE LA SANGRE (THREAD OF THE BLOOD) (JULY 11, 2024-JANUARY 15, 2025): CURATED BY XAVIER TAVERA AND DOUGIE PADILLA OF GRUPO SOAP DEL CORAZN, THIS EXHIBITION BRINGS TOGETHER 15 LATINE VISUAL ARTISTS FROM ACROSS THE DIASPORA TO CONSIDER THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BLOOD AS A MATERIAL FOUNDATION OF LIFE, A CARRIER OF COMPLEX LINEAGES, A SIGNAL OF VIOLENCE AND DEATH, AND A CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL SYMBOL OF SACRIFICE AND ATONEMENT. DESPITE ITS POTENCY, ITS CONCEALED FLUIDITY IN OUR BODIES HELPS US DISREGARD ITS SIGNIFICANCE. FEATURED ARTISTS: BETTY RBOL, NANCY ARIZA, RICARDO BENNETT-GUZMN, CARLOS CASTRO ARIAS, LUIS FITCH, JULIA GARCIA, MARTIN GONZALES, RIGOBERTO A. GONZLEZ, ROBERTO LOPEZ-RIOS, EMILY LUNA, DOUGIE PADILLA, MARCELA RODRGUEZ AGUILAR, ALONSO SIERRALTA, MARIA CRISTINA (TINA) TAVERA, AND XAVIER TAVERA.4. TOGETHER (MARCH 28OCTOBER 27, 2024): TOGETHER UPLIFTS MIXED-GENERATIONAL CREATIVITY BY FEATURING MIXED-MEDIA ARTWORK FROM 10 MINNESOTA ARTIST FAMILIES OF DIVERSE AGES AND FAMILY STRUCTURES WHO HAVE CREATED INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNAL WORK FOR THE EXHIBITION. ARTISTS EMMETT AND KIT RAMSTAD CONCEIVED THIS PROJECT TO ELEVATE CHILDREN'S ARTWORK AND PROVIDE A SPACE FOR PARENT ARTISTS TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER AS THEY FULFILL THE ROLES OF PARENTS AND ARTISTS WHILE RAISING A NEW GENERATION OF MAKERS. PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: SAYGE CARROLL, MORGAN LARAMY; PRESTON DRUM, ELVIS AND LEROY DRUM; ISA GAGARIN, RAE GORDON; PAO HER, VINCE AND KAILEE YANG; AMANDA LOVELEE, WALDEN WAITES; AVIGAIL MANNEBERG, KAIAH AND MICAH MANNEBERG-TOMPKINS; EMMETT RAMSTAD, KIT AIZURA RAMSTAD; ANNA MARIE SHOGREN, WALLY GLENN-SHOGREN; AKI SHIBATA, ATOM SHIBATA PLINER AND YUKIKO SHIBATA COLBURN; JONATHAN THUNDER AND MINO HART THUNDER.SKYWAY PROJECTS:1. COLONIAL TRAUMAS (2022-PRESENT) TWIN CITIESBASED ARTIST AND DESIGNER LUIS FITCH BRINGS HIS SIGNATURE STYLIZED CALAVERAS TO THE SKYWAY BRIDGE, FEATURING COLORFUL, VINYL CUT-OUT SKULLS THAT REPRESENT THE COMPLEXITY OF IDENTITY, PLACE, AND BELONGING FOR PEOPLE OF MIXED-RACE DESCENT.2. SKYTRAIN: CITIES IN THE CLOUDS (2023-PRESENT) JUNIORS AND SENIORS FROM SAINT PAUL CONSERVATORY FOR PERFORMING ARTISTS (SPCPA) COLLABORATED WITH THE M AND VICTORY RAMP TO CREATE THIS COLORFUL ARTWORK. FOR MANY STUDENTS, THIS WAS THEIR FIRST TIME PAINTING A MURAL AND PARTICIPATING IN THE PROCESS OF CREATING A LARGE-SCALE COLLABORATIVE ART PIECE.3. EL VAIVN (OCTOBER 2023-PRESENT): ZAMARA CUYN WELCOMES MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TRAVERSING THE SKYWAYS INTO A SACRED DREAMSCAPE BASED ON AN ACTUAL MAYA LANDSCAPE IN GUATEMALA. A VIBRANT SERIES OF IMAGES LEAD VIEWERS ALONG A CONTINUUM OF COLORFUL DESIGN FROM WARM TONES, AIMED AT ENERGIZING THE SPIRIT DURING THE COLD MINNESOTA WINTER, TO THE COOL BLUES OF PRIMORDIAL WATERS ENCOURAGING MOMENTS OF CONTEMPLATION AND RELAXATION.
- $652,684 spent. COLLECTIONS:IN THIS FISCAL YEAR, THE M ADDED 86 WORKS TO THE PERMANENT COLLECTION IT HOLDS IN PUBLIC TRUST. THESE RECENT ACQUISITIONS HAVE ADDED DEPTH TO THE M'S PERMANENT COLLECTION, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO TELL STORIES, LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORLD WE LIVE IN, AND ADD FRESH PERSPECTIVES ON ART, HISTORY, AND VARIOUS CULTURES. THE M MAINTAINED A TRADITION OF PURCHASING ARTWORK FROM THE FINE ARTS EXHIBITION AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR.ANONYMOUSWARNING TWIN CITIES POLICE, 2020SCREENPRINT ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYVARIOUS ARTISTSBURLESQUE OF NORTH AMERICA PRINT SUITE, VARIOUS DATESSCREENPRINT ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYLESLIE BARLOWAT HOME (STRESSED OR HAPPY, I JUST BE LAYING OUT), 2024OIL, ACRYLIC, AND QUILT ON CANVASPURCHASE, STATE FAIR FUNDMARC BELLORNATE INVESTMENT BANKER, 2016SCREENPRINT ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYHAZEL BELVOROSE TREE FOR JOE, 1976OIL ON CANVASPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDHAZEL BELVOPOLLY AND ANNE, 1972GRAPHITE AND GOLD LEAF ON PAPERPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDHAZEL BELVOAFTER THE MANIFESTO, 1979GOLD LEAF AND PENCIL ON PAPERGIFT OF HAZEL BELVOKIM BENSONMATRIX HOLD, 2024OIL AND METALLIC LEAF ON LACE AND CANVASPURCHASE, FUNDS FROM BOB AND MARY MERSKYBROWN BART BABYPGALO, RMPALO, TMALO (HIT IT, BREAK IT, TAKE IT), 2020SCREENPRINT ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYLINDA CHRISTIANSONCERAMIC TRAY, N.D.CERAMICSGIFT OF TOM ARNESONBROKEN CROWHOUSING CRISIS (DIPTYCH) JOHN GRIDER AND MIKE FITZSIMMONS, 2010SCREENPRINT ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYFRANK BUFFALO HYDECONGENITAL MINOTAUR # 2, 2021ACRYLIC ON CANVASPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDMIKE DAVISTOOLS OF THE TRADE: VIDEO GAME EDITIONSCREENPRINT ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYMIKE DAVISGRAFFITI ACTION PLAYSET, 2020HAND-DRAWING AND SCREENPRINT ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYBRIAN FRINKTHE MOON WITHIN, 2019OIL ON CANVASPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDDON GETSUGTHE WATKINS MAN, 1961, PRINTED 2024ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINTPURCHASE, FUNDS FROM BOB AND MARY MERSKYDON GETSUGGIRL WITH THE ROPE, 1961, PRINTED 2024ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINTPURCHASE, FUNDS FROM BOB AND MARY MERSKYSAM GILLIAMFRANKFURT, 1976MONOTYPE ON HANDMADE PAPER GIFT OF ANDY CURRIEBILL GOSSMANCASSEROLE, 2010SWOOD-FIRED STONEWARE, GLAZED ON INSIDE ONLYPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDBILL GOSSMANTEAPOT, N.D.WOOD-FIRED STONEWARE, GLAZED INSIDE AND PORTIONS OF OUTSIDEPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDBILL GOSSMANTOWN HALL BREWERY GROWLER, C. 2000WOOD-FIRED STONEWARE, GLAZED ON INSIDEPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDBILL GOSSMANUDU BASED ON TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN DRUM, N.D.WOOD-FIRED STONEWAREPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDBILL GOSSMANSCULPTURAL FORM, 2015GLAZED WOOD-FIRED STONEWAREPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDBILL GOSSMANCOVERED JAR, N.D.WOOD-FIRED GLAZED PORCELAINPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDARMANDO GUTIERREZSTILL LIFE, C. 1990S OIL ON CANVASGIFT OF ANDY CURRIEARMANDO GUTIERREZSTILL LIFE, C. 1990S OIL ON CANVASGIFT OF ANDY CURRIEANDRES GUZMANTELAPSARE, 2024SCREENPRINT ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYMAIYA LEA HARTMANYOU BROUGHT THE SUNSHINE, 2024ACRYLIC AND AIRBRUSH ON PANELPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDALEXA HOROCHOWSKITHE MASON, 2024CONCRETE, GYPSUM, LIMESTONE, STEELPURCHASE, FUNDS FROM BOB AND MARY MERSKYTOM JONES (HO-CHUNK)NAAWAHUU/FORSTER NASH, 2015DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPH WITH GLASS BEADS AND SHELL BEADSPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDTOM JONES (HO-CHUNK)JIM FUNMAKER WITH GRANDCHILD, 1999SILVER GELATIN PRINTPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDRACHEL KING (RED LAKE OJIBWE)RIBBON SKIRT, SHIRT, AND BELT, 2024SATIN, SEQUINS, 24-CARAT GOLD BEADS, SPLIT GRAIN LEATHER (DYED), CONCHOS, COTTON, SATIN RIBBONS, APPLIQUS (SATIN AND POLYESTER)PURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDWALTER LABATTE, JR.CANCEG'A CISTINNA (HAND DRUM), 2024REDWOOD, HIDE, AND PAINTGIFT OF WALTER LABATTE, JR.ROCHELLE LAME BULLLOWER SIOUX POTTERY (TALL BEADWORK POT), 2024MAKACEGA (EARTHENWARE)PURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDROCHELLE LAME BULLLOWER SIOUX POTTERY (ROUND SCRATCH POT), 2024MAKACEGA (EARTHENWARE)PURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDSTEVE AND BECKY LLOYDSGRAFFITO PORCELAIN VASE, C. 2005PORCELAINGIFT OF RUTH HANOLD CRANETIM LLOYDKETTLE, VAR. XXIII, 2002RAISED COPPER, 22KT GOLD/STERLING SILVER LAMINATE, SHAKUDO, CINNABAR PATINAGIFT OF TIM LLOYDTIM LLOYDBROOCH, BARRIER CANYON, VAR. II, 1995FINA SILVER, 24KT KIM-BOO, SHIBUISHIGIFT OF TIM LLOYDTIM LLOYDTETSUBIN, 1994RAISED FINE SILVER, 18KT GOLD/STERLING SILVER LAMINATE, ANTIQUE CORALGIFT OF TIM LLOYDTIM LLOYDBOUQUET, PRAIRIE SERIES, 2014FINE SILVER, GOLD LEAF, GUILDERS PASTEGIFT OF TIM LLOYDTIM LLOYDTEAPOT, MANGROVE FANTASY, 2023RAISED FINE SLIVER, SHAKUDO, 22KT GOLD/STERLING SILVER LAMINATEGIFT OF TIM LLOYDIORA SEBRING MILLERA YOUNG MAN'S FANCY, 196566QUILTGIFT OF HAZEL BELVOYONG SOON MINALICE (MIOK/JADE), 2017DIGITAL COLLAGEGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYDAVID RAMEYUNTITLED, C. 1990SINK GRAPHITE AND COLORED PENCIL ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYDAVID RAMEYUNTITLED, C. 1990SINK GRAPHITE AND COLORED PENCIL ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYDAVID RAMEYUNTITLED, C. 1990SINK GRAPHITE AND COLORED PENCIL ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYDAVID RAMEYQUITING (IE: QUITTING) TIME, C. 1990SINK GRAPHITE AND COLORED PENCIL ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYDAVID RAMEYUNTITLED, C. 1990SINK GRAPHITE AND COLORED PENCIL ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYDAVID RAMEYUNTITLED, C. 1990SINK GRAPHITE AND COLORED PENCIL ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYCOLE REDHORSE TAYLOR (MDEWAKANTON DAKOTA)IN THE SHADOW OF NSP, 2024 WOOL, HAND-DYED COTTON, COMMERCIAL COTTON, MUSLIN, LAKE, SEQUINS, INK, ACRYLIC, AND SATINPURCHASE, ACQUISITION FUNDRIVERTHOUGHTS ON THE WALK (SG BLUE EDITION), 2017SCREENPRINT ON PAPERGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYAMINAH ROBINSONAFRIKAN PILGRIMAGE: THE EXTENDED FAMILY, 1980OIL ON CLOTHGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYAMINAH ROBINSONRESTING, 1986HAWGMAWG (MUD, CLAY, TWIGS, LEAVES, LIME, ANIMAL GREASE, AND GLUE), FABRIC, AND MIXED MEDIAGIFT OF MARY AND BOB MERSKYLAUREN DELA ROCHEVENOM, 2024ACRYLIC ON FOUND COTTON, FEEDSACK, AND ACRYLIC VARNISHPURCHASE, FUNDS FROM BOB AND MARY MERSKYCARLA RODRIGUEZTHERE IS ROOM TO HOLD EVERYTHING
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 June 1953.
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.