Locate Arts Tn
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Tri-Star Arts serves Tennessee by cultivating and spotlighting the contemporary visual art scenes in each region while fostering a unified state-wide art scene. Tri-Star Arts programs promote art dialogue between the different cities in the state and between the state and the nation.
- Income
- $337,673
- Spending
- $278,747
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 66%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 7
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 105% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
- $108,465 spent. Tri-Star Arts produces 4-5 art exhibitions and 4-5 project space exhibitions and one public sculpture each year at the Candoro Marble Building in Knoxville. We commission innovative and experimental work in group or solo exhibitions by emerging and established artists alike. The exhibitions feature sculpture installation and new media art. Half of the exhibiting artists practice in Tennessee and half practice in other parts of the nation or world. Audiences are eager to hear from exhibiting artists and we provide a recorded artist talk for each exhibition. We also host 4 artist studios and artist workshops classes at the Candoro Marble Building. All programs at the building are in partnership with the Aslan Foundation.
- $42,527 spent. The Current Art Fund is a partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation to distribute project grants to Tennessee based artists. Tri-Star Arts holds grant workshops in each region of Tennessee and also one recorded workshop online. We reach out to the Tennessee Arts Commission other arts organizations the press and Tennessee-based artists to inform them about the grant opportunity. Four jurors are selected to review and score applications. Eight grants of $7500 each are awarded to artists in West Middle and East Tennessee. Over the course of the grant period Tri-Star Arts leadership meets with grantees to receive project updates and assist them in any way possible.
- $7,200 spent. Our online art hub LocateArts.org continues to help people find local contemporary Tennessee artists art exhibitions and gives audiences a sneak peak into studios and art shows. Approximately 72,000 audience members per year.
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 February 2000.
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.