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Arts Council of New Orleans

EIN 72-0778258 · New Orleans, LA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Arts Council of New Orleans dba Arts New Orleans is a private, nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status dedicated to supporting arts and culture in the city.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
13
Volunteers
25

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

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 75% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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)
  1. $849,765 spent. Percent for Art: Begun in 1986, the NOLA percent for Art program is the City of New Orleans public art collection. PFA places original works by local artists throughout city-operated public spaces, everywhere from branch libraries to City Hall to recreational centers to neutral grounds. There are currently more than 400 PFA artworks enlivening our citys landscape, representing the creativity and strength of the artists who make New Orleans unlike any other city in the world. Funded by 1.5% of eligible projects, PFA supports local artists through commissions, exhibitions, direct purchases, community outreach, and education.
  2. $613,230 spent. Grantmaking: Arts New Orleans believes that all citizens should be able to participate in a creative life and that the arts drive a vibrant and equitable community. All people, their culture, and their art contribute to the meaning and understanding of our humanity and should be honored and celebrated. We are proud of the broad range of arts and cultural activities supported by the Community Arts Grants program made possible by the City of New Orleans and the Louisiana Project Grants made possible by the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the State of Louisiana.
  3. $593,981 spent. LUNA FETE: LUNA Fete is New Orleans annual festival of light, art, and technology and the nations longest running projection mapping festival. LUNA Fete is a visionary initiative created by Arts New Orleans to demonstrate the power of art to transform communities. This free and open to the public festival celebrates New Orleans creative industries and provides a memorable experience for more than 100,000 diverse event attendees.
  4. $653,595 spent. Young Artist Movement: YAM is an arts education and workforce development program that beautifies neighborhoods and connects youth to their communities through public art and placemaking, with a strong community focus and a justice arm supporting youth impacted by the juvenile justice system. We provide meaningful paid work and creative opportunities that empower young people to imagine and inspire positive change
  5. $165,191 spent. PUBLIC ART: We are the support system of public art and placemaking. Public art adds significant value to our city, and our work ranges from producing large-scale murals to partnering with artists and residents to create public projects that strengthen community connection.
  6. $97,236 spent. Arts Market: Consistently recognized as New Orleans best arts market by Gambit Weeklys reader polls, the Arts Market New Orleans is the regions largest juried fine arts and crafts market. Celebrating 18 years the twice-monthly open-air market has provided local artists with a steady platform to showcase artworks, test new products, and refine their craft to attract new consumers and increase sales.
  7. Young Artist Movement: YAM is an arts education and workforce development program 653595. 0. 0.
  8. PUBLIC ART: We are the support system of public art and placemaking. 165191. 0. 0.
  9. Arts Market: Consistently recognized as New Orleans best arts market 97236. 0. 0.

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1976.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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.