American Museum of Ceramic Art

What it reported doing in 2024

Education, outreach, and ceramics studio: all exhibitions are accompanied by artist talks, curator presentations, tours in english and spanish, and spanish exhibition text translations. All exhibition programming is free with museum admission.k-12 field trips provide a 2.5-hour museum experience and include admission, docent-led tours, gallery guides, and a hands-on clay activity. Amoca also offers complimentary exhibition tours for adults enrolled in college-level programs in southern California.the annual high school ceramics exhibition is the largest juried exhibition of its kind on the west coast. The virtual exhibition receives more than 500 applications from over 100 schools in 25 states and features the work of approximately 100 students in grades 9-12. There is no fee to apply.mudmobile mobile museum visits increase equitable access to arts and arts education for k-12 students, educators, and families, focusing on serving title 1 schools within 20 miles of the museum. The program provides a pop-up museum exhibition and hands-on clay activities that supplement teaching curriculums, support teachers in meeting state standards, and facilitate student exposure to the rich California ceramic arts tradition.established in 2015, teen council provides weekly structured professional and personal development for a cohort of local high school students (ages 14-17). Members learn from professional artists in amoca's ceramics studio, honing artistic techniques and professionalskills (including resume writing and portfolio development).the ceramics studio strives to make ceramics accessible to our surrounding California community. Since 2011, our 12,000 sq ft studio has been a valuable resource for ceramic artists in our area and, increasingly, a place for those new to ceramics to learn basic skills to develop their work and style.amoca's artist in residence program, established in 2012, offers one of the few long-term fellowship opportunities on the west coast. The program provides studio space, housing for long-term residents, materials, firing, and living stipends. In 2022, an additional 6-month residency became available for artists based in southern California. Residents are selected based on the quality and artistic merit of their work and the strength of their residency plan.artist workshops, skill-building workshops, and demonstrations invite professional artists into the amoca studio to share signature techniques and approaches while giving our community a chance to focus on and expand their practice. We accommodate weekly community firings and 200+ private firings per year. Monthly introductory classes for adults 18+ allow new ceramicists to learn the basics of throwing on the potter's wheel, including clay, glaze, and firing services. Six-week classes, offered quarterly, include instruction in wheel-throwing and hand-building for new and seasoned artists to develop their skills. Students enjoy access to open studio hours during the duration of their course.amoca's ceramics studio rentals accommodate around 65 southern California artists. Individuals renting one of 52 private or semi-private studios receive 24/7 access to studio facilities (including a communal glaze area, spray booths, sand-blasting equipment, and communal firing services). The studio scholarship fund, launched in 2024, ensures that all community members have access to our programs, no matter their financial situation.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 53.9%; rating input score 54
• Program expense ratio: 76.3%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: $24.86 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 65; 65th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 37.7%; rating input score 88; 88th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 6.25; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 12.9%; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4% per year; rating input score 100; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.9% per year; rating input score 100; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.1% per year; rating input score 100; 46th percentile among comparable filings