Essex Art Center Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

We believe in the power of art to change not just the way we see the world, but the way we live. Essex Art Center sees everyone as an artist, and we help artists and art lovers connect with their creativity. Each year, the Center reaches 10,000 individuals. Our arts education programs serve artists of all ages. We offer diverse studio courses, including ceramics, drawing, digital art, painting, animation, Risograph printing, and stained glass. We make learning accessible to everyone by providing affordable studio classes and workshops with special financial assistance to Lawrence residents, including 75% off for youth 18 years or younger and 30% off for adults. In addition, we hold public art and design entrepreneurship programs for teens and a work-mentorship program for high school and college students. Participants in our public art and design programs receive stipends for their work, as do students in our work-mentorship program. Essex Art Center's exhibition program sees art as a connector in our community and a platform for communication about issues that matter. Our galleries serve as a source of inspiration for our students and a teaching tool for our teachers. We are strategic in the artists we exhibit, working to amplify underrepresented voices and ensuring that the work is responsive to what's happening in the world and relevant to our community. Our exhibitions and their correlating programming are always free and open to the public.Essex Art Center's community outreach programs bring the creative experience beyond our walls. From off-site offerings in schools and community centers to special events, such as free figure drawing nights and art college admissions fairs, these programs put into practice our belief that art brings us together. Our summer block party, Fiesta en la calle!, brings together people of all ages to enjoy live music, dance performances, food, and artmaking. Throughout the year, our community outreach programs reach 3,000 individuals, with Fiesta en la calle!, connecting us with 2,000 residents from Greater Lawrence in just one day.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 81.7%; rating input score 82
• Program expense ratio: 76.2%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: $11.14 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 41; 41st 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: 100%; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• 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: -5.4%; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.25; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.15; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 10.1%; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.1% per year; rating input score 100; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.3% per year; rating input score 100; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 9.2% per year; rating input score 100; 56th percentile among comparable filings