Plumas County Arts Commission
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Missions statement: Plumas Arts cultivates communities in which arts & culture flourish." Goals : Cultivate showcases of arts & culture that enrich quality of life for the residents of, and visitors to, Plumas CountyEnhance & provide opportunities for artistic development & excellence for artists, potential artists and audiences of all agesPresent local arts and culture as a community building force and economic resourceAdvocate for, and educate about, the value of The ArtsSustain a strong and vibrant organization in service to our membership, residents and visitors
- Income
- $381,901
- Spending
- $454,480
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 12.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 51%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 10
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 (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% 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
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
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.
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 (4)
- $126,184 spent. PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTATIONS:Town Hall Theatre Artist Series brings an impressive array of internationally renowned artists to local audiences. Many of these artists have regional or national fan bases that are choosing to travel to our area from some distances to see their favorite musicians in an intimate setting. An estimated 10-20% of our audience comes from out of the county with overnight, or longer, stays in conjunction with their attendance at our performances. On concert nights restaurants also report record business.Words & Music came to life at Quincy's Morning Thunder in Quincy in 1989 with a Plumas Arts grant from the California Arts Council. This monthly (dark July to September) poetry and acoustic music series with an open mic section has also found homes in Chester and Portola. The program serves to coalesce cultural community enclaves and has been reproduced by neighboring arts councils.Plumas Arts and local music education business Face the Music sponsor an annual concert by the High Sierra Community & Youth Orchestra: Plumas County's first orchestra with as many as 45 musicians of all ages playing together on violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, woodwinds, brass and percussion.
- $98,870 spent. VISUAL ARTS : Since 1998 the Plumas Arts Gallery has shared space with our administrative offices in Quincy. Our Gallery showcases the fine work of local artists with a changing schedule of exhibitions and opening receptions. The gallery displays and sells the work of at least 60 visual, musical and literary artists. Rotating Art Displays are also hosted at Patti's Thunder Caf.After a decade-long respite, Plumas Arts returned in 2007, at the request of fair management, to coordinate the Art Barn at the Plumas-Sierra County Fair. This monumental effort involves more than 350 hours of service by dozens of volunteers to provide an attractive display of artwork by Plumas and Sierra County residents of all ages and abilities. The Fair Board and Fair Staff have applauded our effort.
- $81,471 spent. ARTS EDUCATION: Our Plumas Arts Education programs have been supported by: school site councils and PTAs, the Plumas County Office of Education and Plumas Unified School District, and a three year cycle of California Arts Council Local Arts Education Partnership Grants. In 1999 the effort was one of only 15 programs to be funded statewide by the State Office of Education ART WORKS Visual & Performing Arts Program. From 2000 to 2002 our art education programs were selected as one of only 35 recipients statewide, and one of only 4 in Northern California to be determined as a California Arts Council Arts in Education Demonstration Site.Artist in the Schools Program provides hands-on artist workshops in every county K-6 classroom. School Arts Assembly Programs are often offered to county schools, often in conjunction with the Town Hall Theatre Artist Series performing arts presentations. The program currently operates with a CAC Artist in the Schools grant matched with funds from the Plumas County Office of Education and school site supporting groups and formerly the Bill Graham and now the High Sierra Music Foundations. All County Jazz Night brings all the high school jazz bands to play for a very enthusiastic full house at the Town Hall Theatre. Music instructors tell us that this is the only time that all the high school bands play together - on a real stage with lights when they are not in competition with each other.
- $46,959 spent. CULTURAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS: Plumas Arts produces Taste of Plumas each April. Always a "sold-out" successful event, we bring 20+ culinary businesses from all parts of the county together in one place. Restaurants and business owners come willingly to take part in this festive gathering that has helped to promote their culinary artistry to discretionary diners across and beyond county and community boundaries.Plumas Arts has managed one of Northern California's oldest and most respected exhibitions of fine arts and crafts, the Almanor Art Show since 1983. It takes place the first weekend in August and showcases a variety of types of art by 100 artists from around the Western US.Mountain Harvest Festival, in October, is a community music and beer tasting event that attracts an impressive collection of microbreweries from throughout the Western US and beyond. The event, which has received generous coverage in VIA magazine and other regional media, attracts people from near and far to enjoy our glorious Fall Colors and community feel.SUPPORTING EVENTS WITH PARTNERSHIPSPlumas Arts assists our partner events producers with many of Plumas County's most significant events by providing promotional and/or production support:A Few Brews & A Banjo in Chester (June) is a volunteer-driven event the provides funding for Chester High School music, drama programs and visual art programs.High Sierra Music Festival at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds over the 4th of July weekend.Portola Park Summer Concerts funded by the City of Portola and the Lost Sierra Chamber of Commerce.Sierra Valley Art & Ag Trail each Fall
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 October 1982.
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.