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Arts Express

EIN 86-0941657 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BY INTGRATING PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTIONS, ART EXPRESS THEATRE OPENS UP THE WORLD OF THE ARTS TO ALL AGES. IT SERVES OVER 25,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY THORUGH A CONTINUUM OF INTRODUCTORY TO ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND ENGAGING AUDIENCE EXPERIENCES. PROGRAMS RANGE FROM YOUTH WORKSHOPS AND CAMPS TO LARGE-SCALE MUSICAL THREATE SHOWS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
-0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
0
Volunteers
369

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 94% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 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 (1)
  1. $1.3 million spent. BOASTING A LEGACY SPANNING 40 YEARS, ARTS EXPRESS THEATRE STRIVES TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF OUR AUDIENCES AND OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSICAL THEATRE. SERVING AS THE PREMIERE COMPANY REGIONALLY THAT IS DEDICATED TO FULL-SCALE BROADWAY-STYLE PRODUCTIONS, THE THEATRE PRODUCES 8 MAIN-STAGE SHOWS ANNUALLY AND IS A DESTINATION FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES. THE COMPANY ALSO PAVES THE WAY FOR EMERGING TALENT TO GROW. OUR CONTINUUM OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY, ENGAGING EXPERIENCES FOR THEATRE STUDENTS. FROM EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS TO MAINSTAGE POWERHOUSES, ARTS EXPRESS THEATRE IS DEDICATED TO CONNECTING AND INSPIRING EVERY GENERATION OF THEATRE LOVER IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA AND BEYOND.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.