Midway Contemporary Art

What it reported doing in 2024

Exhibitions: over the past two decades, midway has organized more than 100 solo and group exhibitions. We are committed to commissioning and developing new projects, often with artists who have not previously exhibited in the midwest or, in many cases, in the united states. As a non-collecting organization, midway centers artists in every aspect of its programming. We collaborate closely with them to present their work and shape meaningful audience engagement, while providing the time, space, and resources needed to develop ambitious new projects.in august 2024, we reopened our newly renovated permanent home with an inaugural exhibition by New York-based artist grant mooney, featuring commissioned sculptures primarily fabricated in the twin cities during multiple site visits. In november, we presented an exhibition of new works by north minneapolis born artist cameron patricia downey. Midway also hosted gallery conversations with both mooney and downey in conjunction with their respective exhibitions. Many of our public programs are initiated by the presenting artists and offer visitors and the community a deeper understanding of their creative process and the works on view. Library: launched in 2007, midway's library is one of the region's most comprehensive art and architecture resources, with over 13,500 titles including monographs, catalogs, periodicals, and rare publications not available elsewhere in Minnesota. Free and open to the public with no membership or appointments required, it serves as a vital resource for artists, students, scholars, and visitors. Its accessibility has made it a popular destination for research and inspiration. Each year, 500-1,000 titles are added to the collection, many from internationally based small publishers and others selected for their direct connection to our current exhibitions. Formerly non-circulating, the library launched a successful lending program in summer 2020 in response to the pandemic-an initiative that has continued and expanded due to strong community interest. Midway's internship program is closely integrated with our library, where interns archive new acquisitions in our online database and become familiar with the operational structure of a small arts nonprofit. Visual arts fund: the visual arts fund is a grant program established in 2016 by midway contemporary art with generous support from the andy warhol foundation for the visual arts. Minneapolis-st. Paul is one of thirty-six metro areas included in warhol's regional regranting program, which is aimed at promoting vibrant artistic activity in cities across the united states. The vaf supports the development of projects and initiatives happening outside of established venues that engage the public with visual art and might not otherwise occur. Since its launch, the program has awarded $641,000 to 64 projects, benefiting hundreds of local artists in the twin cities.in 2024, six $10,000 grants were awarded to projects ranging from an artist-run gallery and mobile residency to mutual aid printmaking workshops and an exhibition by oromo minnesotan artists. Each grant cycle includes info sessions, a grant writing workshop, a public project presentation night, and a meet-and-greet with past and current grantees. New grantees also attend a tax info session to learn best practices for managing grant funds. Midway offers these forms of mentorship while granting artists full autonomy in realizing their projects.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 59.1%; rating input score 59
• Program expense ratio: 82%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: $13.99 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 48; 48th 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: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 28%; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 6.19; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.41; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 15.5%; rating input score 22; 22nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.7% per year; rating input score 100; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 9.3% per year; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 24.7% per year; rating input score 100; 87th percentile among comparable filings