Arts Council of Oklahoma City
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Promoting public awareness and support for the arts through our mission of bringing the arts and community together. Our free and low-cost events and programs reach nearly one million people annually.
- Income
- $3.7 million
- Spending
- $3.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 51%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 2,500
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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 27 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.
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 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 (4)
- $2.5 million spent. Since 1967 festival of the arts has served as the states largest fine arts festival with an attendance of more than 550,000 in 4 days. The event, which is free to the public, features 144 artists from across the county, live performing arts entertainment on 2 stages, street performances, international cuisine from 30 vendors, extensive and engaging programming for youth, and interactive art activities for all ages. Festival of the Arts is a single largest funding source for all other Art Council OKC programs.
- $285,037 spent. All Access Arts (AAA) reaches more than 8000 youth and seniors each year. This program consists of several projects that provide arts education for at risk and underserved communities throughout the Oklahoma City metro area. AAA is possible through numerous partnerships with community agencies and offers high quality, in depth multidisciplinary arts instruction and performance. For many participants, these programs are their only access to the arts. In addition to these projects, AAA also provides teens with productive leadership opportunities in the arts through its Teen Arts Council.
- $130,455 spent. Art Moves is a pop-up art experience that occurs weekly throughout the metro with interactive art experiences featuring visual and performing artists.
- $246,738 spent. SUNDAY TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES PROVIDES A FREE 2 HOUR ART EXPERIENCE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE EVENT ENCOMPASSES ALL FORMS OF ART AND EACH WORK FEATURES A DIFFERENT ARTIST. ARTISANS IS A YOUTH LEADERSHIP GROUP DESIGNED TO EDUCATE, PROMOTE AND SUPPORT THE ARTS IN THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MARKET WITH AN ANNUAL BUDGET OF $2,000.
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 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 June 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 November 1967.
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.
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