Cottonwood Artists' School

What it reported doing in 2025

More than 3,200 students register yearly for cottonwood art classes taught by artists in the building and professionals from the community. A wide range of subjects are offered, including traditional mediums, such as watercolor painting, life drawing, pottery, and printmaking, and more niche courses, poetry and creative writing, wrap jewelry, and stained glass. The center has recently expanded into literary arts, with a monthly open mic for writers and personal narrative classes. Cottonwood also offers film, acting, voice, and music classes. Business classes related to selling art, including website design and marketing, are also available. Additionally, cottonwood is now producing a monthly podcast on the arts. (continued on schedule o)the 134 artists in the building, whose combined rent contributes about $34,000 in monthly income, are diverse in their interests, offerings, and education. The center works to maintain an environment rich with formally educated art students - currently, 14 hold master of fine arts degrees - but it's not a requirement. Those with no formal education are also encouraged to become part of the collective and learn from their more experienced contemporaries. Many participate in monthly critiques and the artist cafe; a space designed to challenge and encourage.multiple galleries throughout the building showcase professional artists and those just finding their footing. Monthly shows feature solo exhibits, group shows, and selective juried shows with a wide range of contemporary themes. Cottonwood also finds innovative ways to make art available, now curating work at the Colorado springs airport and hanging and curating art in 10 buildings around the city. Additional events provide another revenue stream for cottonwood and help connect the center to the community. Offerings include a victory farm and arts market, which brings in many visitors every month of the year. Art parties for kids and adults, live music, spoken word poetry performances, wedding receptions, film screenings and fundraisers are also part of the programming.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 85.6%; rating input score 86
• Program expense ratio: 82.9%; rating input score 83
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.14 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• 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; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • 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: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -2%; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.42; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.28; rating input score 20; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 15.7%; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -0% per year; rating input score 0; 15th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 7.9% per year; rating input score 100; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -6.1% per year; rating input score 0; 5th percentile among comparable filings