Norton Museum of Art Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE NORTON MUSEUM OF ART WELCOMES VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF ART THROUGH INTIMATE AND INNOVATIVE ENCOUNTERS WITH DISTINCTIVE PROGRAMS AND WIDE-RANGING COLLECTIONS.
- Income
- $34.5 million
- Spending
- $23.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 64%
- Reserves
- 15.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
- Employees
- 182
- Volunteers
- 130
- Highest pay
- $403,027, director and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 43% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1564% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 2543 of 43 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 September 30, 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)
- $8.3 million spent. EXHIBITIONSIN 2023-24, THE NORTON MUSEUM OF ART WAS PLEASED TO PRESENT A VARIETY OF OFFERINGS DESIGNED TO CONNECT VISITORS TO MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES WITH ART. THE SEASON'S SUCCESS WAS REALIZED THROUGH A DYNAMIC SCHEDULE OF EXHIBITIONS AND A DIVERSE CALENDAR OF ENRICHING PROGRAMS. LAST YEAR, THE NORTON WELCOMED THE PUBLIC WITH 18 SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS AND COLLECTION-BASED PRESENTATIONS, EACH DRAWING FROM THE MUSEUM'S FIVE CURATORIAL AREAS. EXHIBITIONS EXPLORED A WIDE RANGE OF THEMES, HISTORIES, CULTURAL NARRATIVES, AND MODES OF SELF-EXPRESSION, SPURRING AN OVERWHELMING PUBLIC RESPONSE FROM VISITORS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS. AN OVERARCHING THEMATIC FOCAL POINT ACROSS THE SEASON'S EXHIBITIONS WAS THE ROLE AN ARTIST PLAYS IN CAPTURING HISTORY FROM THE LENS OF A CAMERA TO THE STROKE OF A BRUSH. THIS THEME WAS EXAMINED THROUGH TWO MAJOR EXHIBITIONS IN THE FALL OF 2023, BOTH OF WHICH UNDERSCORED THE MUSEUM'S EFFORTS TO BRING RENOWNED ART FROM NOTABLE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND COLLECTIONS TO WEST PALM BEACH. THE FIRST HEADLINING EXHIBITION OF THE SEASON WAS ARTISTS IN MOTION: IMPRESSIONIST AND MODERN MASTERPIECES FROM THE PEARLMAN COLLECTION, CO-ORGANIZED BY THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM. ARTISTS IN MOTION FEATURED APPROXIMATELY 40 PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES, AND WORKS ON PAPER THAT DELVED INTO THE INTERSECTING LIVES OF THE MOST CELEBRATED LATE 19TH- AND EARLY 20TH-CENTURY EUROPEAN ARTISTS COLLECTED BY HENRY PEARLMAN (1895-1974). THE SECOND MAJOR EXHIBITION, CO-ORGANIZED BY THE PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ART, WAS PRESENCE: THE PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION OF JUDY GLICKMAN LAUDER, A REMARKABLE SELECTION OF 20TH CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHY DRAWN FROM THE HOLDINGS OF ARTIST AND PHILANTHROPIST JUDY GLICKMAN LAUDER. DURING THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS, THE NORTON HOSTED THREE MAJOR EXHIBITIONS TO ANCHOR THE TAIL-END OF THE 2023-24 SEASON. THE FIRST SET OF EXHIBITIONS SHOWCASED THE WORK OF TWO LIVING WOMAN ARTISTS: THE 9TH RECOGNITION OF ART BY WOMEN PRESENTATION, ROSE B. SIMPSON: JOURNEYS OF CLAY, WHICH FEATURED THE INDIGENOUS ARTIST'S CERAMIC WORKS AND TOUCHED UPON THEMES OF CULTURAL IDENTITY, SURVIVAL, AND MATRILINEALITY; AND NORA MAITE NIEVES: CLOUDS IN THE EXPANDED FIELD, AN EXHIBITION DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM THE ARTIST'S CARIBBEAN ROOTS AND PRESENTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH HER SIX-WEEK RESIDENCY AT THE NORTON. THE THIRD AND FINAL EXHIBITION, THE PAPER TRAIL: 500 YEARS OF PRINTS FROM THE JONATHAN "JACK" FROST COLLECTION, HIGHLIGHTED 75 WORKS FROM OVER 50 RENOWNED PRINTMAKERS, CELEBRATING NEARLY FIVE CENTURIES OF ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT AND INNOVATION ACROSS EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES. IN ADDITION TO THESE SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS, THE SEASON ALSO INCLUDED A SLATE OF PERMANENT COLLECTION-BASED PRESENTATIONS THAT SPOTLIGHTED THE MUSEUM'S FIVE CURATORIAL DEPARTMENTS. THE CALENDAR OF EXHIBITIONS INCLUDED: PERSONAL SPACE: ON PHOTOGRAPHY AND BEING (DECEMBER 2023), CUT UP/CUT OUT: PHOTOMONTAGE FROM THE COLLECTION (JUNE 2024), AND ELLEN GRAHAM: UNSCRIPTED (MARCH 2024), ALL MULTIMODAL EXHIBITIONS EXPLORING HOW ARTISTS EXPERIMENT WITH PHOTOGRAPHY AND REPRESENTATION; SYMBOLIC MESSAGES IN CHINESE ANIMAL PAINTINGS (OCTOBER 2023), LANDSCAPES INSPIRED BY OLD MASTERS, AND DRAGONS: COMMANDERS OF RAIN (AUGUST 2024), EXHIBITIONS EXPLORING HOW CHINESE ARTISTS WERE INSPIRED BY THE NATURAL WORLD; AND TWO REMARKABLE LONG-TERM LOANS FEATURED IN THE NORTON'S SPECIAL GUESTS SERIES FROM THE HISPANIC SOCIETY OF AMERICA (JOAQUN SOROLLA Y BASTIDA'S BEACHING THE BOAT (AFTERNOON LIGHT), 1903) AND THE LEIDEN COLLECTION (JACOBUS VREL'S INTERIOR WITH A SICK WOMAN BY A FIREPLACE, CIRCA 1654-1662), RESPECTIVELY.ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CURATORIAL CALENDAR, THE MUSEUM'S LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN PRESENTING ARTWORK IN THE CHRIS AND BERNARD MARDEN COMMUNITY GALLERY TO SHOWCASE THE TALENT OF LOCAL YOUTH THROUGH TWO THEMED, CURRICULUM-FOCUSED EXHIBITIONS: NATURE UNSEEN (JANUARY 2024), THE NORTON'S SECOND ANNUAL JURIED ART EXHIBITION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHICH INVITED ART EDUCATORS FROM MORE THAN 50 AREA SCHOOLS AND THEIR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE; AND DIMENSIONS OF IDENTITY (JUNE 2024), AN EXHIBITION FEATURING WORKS FROM STUDENTS AGED 5-18 IN THE NORTON'S AFTERSCHOOL ARTS OUTREACH PROGRAM, A CREATIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE THAT SERVICES COMMUNITIES ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY THROUGH ENGAGING ART EXPERIENCES. COMMUNITY EXHIBITIONS IN THE MARDEN GALLERY ARE A TESTAMENT TO THE NORTON'S ONGOING COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION, OFFERING A SPACE FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES TO GATHER AND CELEBRATE THE ART ON VIEW.
- $3.1 million spent. ACQUISITIONS AND CONSERVATIONAS A COLLECTING INSTITUTION, THE NORTON IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN STEWARDING ITS PERMANENT COLLECTION THROUGH CONSERVATION AND ENHANCING ITS HOLDINGS THROUGH ONGOING ACQUISITION. IN 2023-24, THE MUSEUM'S WORKS OF ART COMMITTEE APPROVED 172 ACQUISITIONS, INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT PAINTINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND WORKS ON PAPER. THESE ADDITIONS-SOME PROMISED, OTHERS OUTRIGHT AND PURCHASED-HAVE HELPED INTRODUCE NEW, WORLD CLASS WORKS OF ART TO THE NORTON'S COLLECTION, WHICH NOW TOTALS 8,620. IN AN EFFORT TO SHARE ITS RESOURCES WITH OTHER MUSEUMS ACROSS THE NATION, THE NORTON LOANED 7 TOTAL WORKS OF ART FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION LAST YEAR. FURTHER, THE MUSEUM ALSO WELCOMED 351 OBJECTS FROM PARTNER MUSEUMS TO ENHANCE THE SEASON'S SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS. NOTABLE ACQUISITIONS ACCESSIONED TO THE COLLECTION INCLUDE: UNTITLED (1976), A REMARKABLE BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTOGRAPH BY AMERICAN AUTO-PORTRAITIST FRANCESA WOODMAN; DRAGON-DECORATED CIRCULAR BOX (CIRCA 907 - EARLY 1000S), A PRECIOUS AND RARE CHINESE STONEWARE BOX FROM THE SONG DYNASTY; AND THE CARDINAL (1964), THE FIRST EXAMPLE OF A WORK BY AMERICAN FEMINIST ARTIST JUDY CHICAGO TO ENTER THE NORTON'S PERMANENT COLLECTION. THE NORTON CONTINUES TO MONITOR ITS COLLECTION WITH FREQUENT EXAMINATION AND CONSERVATION TREATMENTS THAT ADHERE TO INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES. ONE MAJOR AND SUCCESSFUL CONSERVATION EFFORT COMPLETED IN 2023-24 IS AMERICAN SCULPTOR LOUISE NEVELSON'S NIGHT WALL VI (1976). THIS MONUMENTAL ALUMINUM SCULPTURE HAD BEEN IN STORAGE SINCE THE NORTON ACQUIRED IT IN 2006 AND HAD NEVER BEEN PUBLICLY DISPLAYED AT THE MUSEUM DUE TO ITS POOR CONDITION. CONSERVATION OF THE WORK ADDRESSED SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL REPAIRS, TREATED SURFACE CORROSION AND RUST, AND COATED THE WORK, ENSURING IT CAN BE SAFELY AND INDEFINITELY EXHIBITED AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE MUSEUM'S 37,200 SQUARE-FOOT SCULPTURE GARDEN. TODAY, NIGHT WALL VI IS FULLY RESTORED AND HAS JOINED THE COMPANY OF 13 OTHER CELEBRATED ARTISTS IN THE GARDEN - SUCH AS KEITH HARING, ANTONY GORMLEY, FRANZ WEST, AND FERNAND LEGER, AMONG OTHERS - AND NOW PROUDLY STANDS AS ONE OF TWO WOMAN ARTISTS REPRESENTED IN THIS SPACE (ALONGSIDE JENNY HOLZER). THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW ONGOING CONSERVATION IS CRITICAL TO THE HEALTH AND LONGEVITY OF THE NORTON'S PERMANENT COLLECTION: THESE EFFORTS ENSURE THE PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND ENABLE THE PRESENTATION OF A WIDER DIVERSITY OF WORKS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS AND ENJOYMENT TODAY.
- $3.1 million spent. LEARNING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTIN 2023-24, THE MUSEUM'S LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT PRESENTED AN OUTSTANDING SEASON OF PROGRAMS ENJOYED BY OVER 113,300 VISITORS. THESE PROGRAMS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN ADVANCING THE NORTON'S MISSION BY ENGAGING DIVERSE AUDIENCES, FOSTERING COMMUNITY DIALOGUE, AND PROMOTING APPRECIATION FOR ART THROUGH THE EXPLORATION OF A BROAD RANGE OF THEMES AND TOPICS. IN ORDER TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE AND VARIED CALENDAR OF PROGRAMS EACH YEAR, THE NORTON'S LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT COLLABORATES WITH A COMMUNITY COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS, FROM WEST PALM BEACH RESIDENTS TO LOCAL CIVIC AND INSTITUTIONAL LEADERS. THE COMMITTEE IS TASKED WITH HELPING TO CURATE A SEASON OF PROGRAMS THAT REFLECTS THE REGION'S GROWING DIVERSITY AND ENGAGES THE PUBLIC IN NEW AND EXCITING WAYS. THANKS TO THIS CONTINUED FOCUS AND DEDICATION, THE 2023-24 SEASON FEATURED A WIDE ARRAY OF UNIQUE AND ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMS DESIGNED FOR K-12 AND COLLEGE STUDENTS, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND ADULTS AND LIFELONG LEARNERS, AMONG OTHERS CONSTITUENTS THAT VISIT THE NORTON REGULARLY. PUBLIC PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE MUSEUM'S MOST VISIBLE OFFERINGS AND SERVE AS AN IMPORTANT MEANS FOR CONNECTING WITH VISITORS. IN 2023-24, THE NORTON WAS PROUD TO HOST OVER 285 PUBLIC PROGRAMS, WITH 75 INTENDED FOR FAMILY AUDIENCES AND THE REMAINING 210 FOR ADULT PARTICIPATION. KEY FAMILY PROGRAMS INCLUDED: ART-MAKING WORKSHOPS LIKE FAMILY STUDIO, ART AND LITERATURE MASH-UP PROGRAMS LIKE BOOK + ART, DANCE AND MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS LIKE SCHOOL'S OUT!, AND MORE. POPULAR ADULT PUBLIC PROGRAMS INCLUDED: LECTURE AND PANELS LIKE THE EDLAVITCH LECTURE SERIES AND ARTSPEAKS; COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP EVENTS LIKE THE SUBTROPIC FILM FESTIVAL AND ART ON TAP; AND ART AFTER DARK, A WEEKLY FRIDAY NIGHT PROGRAM CENTERED AROUND CELEBRATING THE NORTON'S COLLECTION, SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS, AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THE NORTON'S ROSTER OF LECTURES AND PANELS BROUGHT RENOWNED CULTURAL LEADERS TO WEST PALM BEACH TO SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE AND INSIGHTS, INCLUDING: JEFF ROSENHEIM (METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK), KAYWIN FELDMAN (NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, WASHINGTON, DC), ROB WYNNE (SCULPTOR AND INSTALLATION ARTIST), ERIC FISCHL (PAINTER AND SCULPTOR), BOB COLACELLO (AUTHOR), AND JOYCE TENNYSON (PHOTOGRAPHER), AMONG OTHERS. ADDITIONALLY, THE NORTON WAS PLEASED TO WELCOME THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH AN EVER-EVOLVING PROGRAM OF DOCENT- AND CURATOR-LED TOURS, WHICH HELP ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE BY PROVIDING DEEPER CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT. IN 2023-24, THANKS TO THE COMMITMENT OF 50 DEDICATED DOCENTS, THE NORTON WAS ABLE TO HOST 390 SCHOOL TOURS, REACHING 8,100 STUDENTS, AND OVER 930 PUBLIC TOURS THAT WELCOMED NEARLY 6,000 VISITORS TO LEARN ABOUT THE EXCEPTIONAL WORKS ON VIEW. TO BROADEN ACCESS AND WELCOME EVEN MORE VISITORS THROUGH ITS DOORS, THE MUSEUM ALSO HOSTED FOUR FREE, CAMPUS-WIDE CELEBRATIONS LAST YEAR. COMMUNITY DAYS ARE A SERIES OF THEMATIC FESTIVALS THAT CELEBRATE IDENTITY AND CULTURE THROUGH ENGAGING ACTIVATIONS, INCLUDING LIVE PERFORMANCES, ART-MAKING WORKSHOPS, TOURS, GAMES, AND MORE. EACH FESTIVAL FOCUSES ON THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND EXPERIENCES THAT COMPRISE SOUTH FLORIDA, DRAWING THROUGHLINES TO THE NORTON'S COLLECTION AND EXHIBITIONS. OVER 4,500 VISITORS ENJOYED FREE ACCESS TO COMMUNITY DAYS IN 2023-24: THE 10TH ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR COMMUNITY DAY DREW OVER 1,900 VISITORS; THE 4TH ANNUAL NUESTRA CULTURA COMMUNITY DAY DREW OVER 800 VISITORS; THE 4TH ANNUAL JUNETEENTH COMMUNITY DAY DREW OVER 1,000 VISITORS; AND THE 4TH ANNUAL GAMES AROUND THE WORLD COMMUNITY DAY DREW OVER 900 VISITORS. THE LATTER TWO COMMUNITY DAYS WERE ANCHORS TO THE MUSEUM'S SUMMER AT THE NORTON INITIATIVE, OFFERING RESIDENTS OF WEST PALM BEACH AND PALM BEACH COUNTY GRATIS SATURDAY ADMISSION FROM MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY, AND FREE WELLNESS PROGRAMS INCLUDING DRUM CIRCLE, TAI CHI CLASSES, AND GUIDED MEDITATION.A SIGNIFICANT ASPECT OF THE NORTON'S ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES IS FORGING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH THE BROADER COMMUNITY. IN 2023-24, THE NORTON WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH TWO KEY PROGRAMS: AFTERSCHOOL ARTS OUTREACH (AAO) AND THE COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM (CAP). AAO IS A NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED PROGRAM THAT PARTNERS WITH EIGHT AFTERSCHOOL SITES ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY TO BRING ARTS-BASED ACTIVITIES DIRECTLY TO STUDENTS EVERY WEEK, YEAR-ROUND. LAST YEAR, THIS PROGRAM SERVED OVER 5,300 CHILDREN THROUGH ART WORKSHOPS, FIELD TRIPS TOURS OF THE MUSEUM, AND AN END-OF-YEAR CULMINATING EXHIBITION HOSTED IN THE NORTON'S MARDEN COMMUNITY GALLERY. THE CAP INITIATIVE FOCUSES ON REACHING DIVERSE AUDIENCES BEYOND THE MUSEUM'S WALLS BY PARTNERING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, FROM AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTERS TO SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES SUPPORTING MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS ACROSS SOUTH FLORIDA. THE NORTON IS PROUD TO REPORT THAT SINCE THE INITIATIVE'S INCEPTION IN 2020, CAP HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE OVER 35 LOCAL PARTNERS THAT REACH OVER 1,500 CONSTITUENTS ANNUALLY.
- $340,975 spent. MUSEUM GIFT AND BOOK STORE
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1961.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.