Arts Along the Bighorns
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Arts Along the Bighorns operates the Cowboy Carousel Center to provide community-based arts, culture, and educational programs for all ages. The organization offers public and private event space, STEAM Saturday learning activities, youth theater productions, and creative workshops that support local arts engagement. Its purpose is to strengthen community connections, expand access to arts and education, and preserve cultural heritage in Johnson County.
- Income
- $65,984
- Spending
- $72,439
- Reserves
- -27.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 41%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 20 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 43% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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)
- $44,948 spent. Arts Along The Bighorns provides community-based arts and educational programs for children and families. In 2025, the Center offered Children's Theater with approximately 50 youth participating in each of three productions, gaining experience in acting, teamwork, and technical theater. The Center also hosted 12 STEAM Saturday sessions, serving an estimated 40 families per event with hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math activities. Hundreds of families participated in Discovery Center programs throughout the year, supporting inclusive arts education and creative learning in Johnson County.
- $27,491 spent. Arts Along the Bighorns operates the Cowboy Carousel Center as an affordable venue for public and private community events. In 2025, the Center hosted more than 48 private rentals, including weddings, receptions, celebrations, and family gatherings, with typical attendance exceeding 100 people per event. These events provide an important community resource, support local cultural engagement, and help sustain the Center's arts and educational programming.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 August 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.