Red Wing Art Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Our mission is to build a vibrant community fueled by the arts. We enrich lives by connecting, celebrating, inspiring, and leading through shared art experiences. Our vision is a community alive with creativity.
- Income
- $968,796
- Spending
- $704,368
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- -5.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 140
- Highest pay
- $69,229, executive director
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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 14% 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
0 of 20It owes 112% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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, 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 (9)
- $145,460 spent. Clay & Creative Center - Creating immersive arts experiences through workshops and classes. To further cultivate a lively community driven by the arts, the Clay & Creative Center offers a place to get hands-on and explore the joy of artistic expression, whether it's your first time or a chance to enhance your skills. With diverse programming for all, the Clay & Creative Center serves as a vital creative space within the community. RWA Resident Artist program launched in 2023 with a focus on local clay. The Clay & Creative Center served 6,725 people in 2024.
- $142,772 spent. Honoring Dakota Project - There is an ongoing need to recognize the Dakota people as vital members of the Red Wing community. Through art, shared experiences, and conversations we will uplift, honor, and celebrate our rich cultures. A process of community conversations, culture, arts and events provide education to discover our shared stories, bridge our communities, and create a space for healing. Red Wing Arts is dedicated to stewarding the Honoring Dakota Project with integrity, respect, and a deep commitment to intercultural understanding and community healing. We are honored to be part of this transformative journey and will continue to work diligently to fulfill the vision of the Dakota elders and the hopes of future generations. 2024 year long efforts culminated in the Honoring Dakota Mural, a gift to the Dakota community.
- $81,843 spent. The Depot Gallery + Store - Visitors to the Depot Gallery + Shop experienced diverse art exhibits, each telling unique stories. The gallery shop offered artworks, fine crafts, and consumables for purchase, supporting artists and fostering community appreciation. The gallery, with its vibrant displays and welcoming atmosphere, reminds us that art is not just to be observed, but to be experienced, felt, and shared. Representing over 400 artists in our Gallery + Store. In 2024, Red Wing Arts hosted six exhibitions at the Gallery and additional satellite exhibitions around Red Wing. The Depot Gallery + Store attracts over 15,000 visitors annually, with 16,775 visitors in 2024.
- $8,770 spent. Sculpture Walk - Nine sculptures were on loan for the 4th Annual Sculpture Walk. In addition to the these temporary installations, the Art Walk features numerous public art pieces that are part of Red Wing's permanent collection, The Art Walk was fully and enthusiastically funded through the generosity of local philanthropic groups with a shared vision to enrich our downtown, entice new commerce, and encourage newcomers to return. An estimated 12,000 people view the Sculpture Walk.
- $29,377 spent. The 58th Annual Red Wing Arts Fall Festival - Recognized as one of Minnesota's premier fine art festivals, our juried two-day fine arts festival is a cornerstone event, celebrating and highlighting artists right in the heart of Red Wing. We take pride in showcasing over 120 talented artists in our city annually for this event. Visitors can look forward to an array of high-quality, original artworks available for purchase, as well as numerous other inspiring activities. Enjoy concerts in the bandshell, watch live painting, create your own masterpiece, or indulge in delicious offerings from local food trucks. Over 18,000 visitors attend the weekend events.
- $16,922 spent. Plein Air - Red Wing Arts hosted its 18th Annual Plein Air. Red Wing Arts Plein Air brings nationally acclaimed artists to our community from around the region to paint "recognizable" Red Wing en Plein Air, which is French for "in open air." Plein Air is a study of how light and shadow interact with things, creating a snapshot of one moment in time that can never be repeated. The culminating exhibit includes over 100 works that are judged and hung on the walls of our Depot Gallery. More than 6,000 people are exposed to Plein Air. The paintings hung, judged and awarded, exhibited and sold at the depot.
- $17,210 spent. Concerts in the Park - Each summer, Red Wing Arts brings together a diverse selection of regional artists, showcasing an array of musical genres to suit all tastes. These lively and energetic performances take place every Wednesday night from June through August in Central Park, the heart of our historic downtown, where the "city's living room" comes to life. Families and friends are invited to bring their lawn chairs and coolers to enjoy these free live music events, proudly presented by Red Wing Arts, and perfect for all ages. Over 4,400 people are impacted.
- $7,558 spent. Poet Artist Collaboration - The 22nd Annual Poet Artist Collaboration featured over 40 juried artists and poets who participated in the annual event which included an art exhibit, poetry readings, and the creation of a chapbook. Thirty-six poems were chosen and artists were selected to create new works inspired by one of the poems. The joy and challenge of this event is the translation of the emotion and story of the written words of a poet by an artist into a representational piece of art. Over 2,700 experience the Poet Artist Collaboration.
- $41,839 spent. Other programs in 2024 included Treasurers on the Trail (1,200 impacted), Red Wing Area Studio Tour (2,500 impacted), Big Turn Music Fest (2,750 impacted), ARTSpeak, and Pottery Throwdown.
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 October 13, 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 February 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 October 21, 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.