Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Arvada Center celebrates and elevates the human condition with engaging arts, humanities, education, and entertainment that expand the cultural landscape for everyone who visits us.
- Income
- $14.3 million
- Spending
- $15.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- -0.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 48%
- Employees
- 342
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $278,433, president/ceo/ex-officio member
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
Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 78% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 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)
- $6.4 million spent. Performing Arts - The Center entertains patrons with its musical theatre and theatrical play productions, summer concerts, and cultural collaboration with other local and regional arts organizations. In addition to attending performances, patrons had multiple opportunities to engage in educational presentations, question and answer sessions, and in-depth explorations of scripts, themes, sets and costumes, playwrights, and the history of the plays' development.
- $2.0 million spent. Education and Humanities - Through its extensive educational offerings in drama, dance, ceramics, music, visual and digital arts, and humanities, the Center provides learning opportunities for aspiring artists, musicians, and performers of all ages. From ArtStart-for preschoolers, to Arts for Ageless Adults-for creative spirits 55 and over, the Center welcomes all aspiring creatives.
- $1.3 million spent. Exhibits and Gallery - The Center hosts several fine-art exhibitions each year in three distinctive galleries, and prides itself on keeping its gallery exhibitions free and open to the public seven days a week, something it has done since its formation in 1976.
- $1.7 million spent. Access and Patron Services - The Center's Access and Patron Services teams focus on providing accessibility and customer services to all patrons and students. From shadow interpretation in children's theatre, to on-site patron support, the Center strives to make its programming and arts experiences available, accessible and inviting to all.
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 October 13, 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 November 1981.
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 October 21, 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.