Overview
What is Cottonwood Artists' School?
Cottonwood Artists' School, situated in Colorado Springs, Colorado, serves as a vibrant hub for artistic expression and learning. With over 2,700 annual students, the school offers a wide array of classes taught by artists and professionals in various mediums, such as watercolor painting, pottery, printmaking, and niche courses like pine needle basket weaving and stained glass. The school has recently expanded its offerings to include literary arts, such as creative writing and poetry classes. Business classes focused on selling art, like website design and marketing, are also available. The center is home to 120 artists, who contribute a combined monthly income of approximately $31,000 through rent. This diverse community is welcoming to both formally educated art students, with a dozen holding Master of Fine Arts degrees, and those without formal education. The center fosters an environment that encourages growth and learning through monthly critiques and the Artist Cafe. Multiple galleries within the building showcase professional artists and emerging talents, featuring solo exhibits, group shows, and juried shows with contemporary themes. Cottonwood Artists' School also hosts additional events, such as art markets, live music performances, poetry readings, weddings, and fundraisers, which contribute to the center's revenue and community connections. Recent grants and donations enabled the school to pave and decorate an alley south of the building, adding 6,000 square feet of usable space for performances, farmers' markets, private event rentals, exhibits, and summer youth camps. Overall, Cottonwood Artists' School engages the Pikes Peak region in art through learning, exhibits, and performances, hosting a diverse creative community of workspace for artists.
Official website here: www.cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: 81% (Three-Star out of Four Stars)
Cottonwood Artists' School has received a Three-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating a solid level of accountability and financial health. The rating is derived from a comprehensive analysis of its performance in various areas, particularly focusing on accountability and finance. With a score of 81%, the organization demonstrates a commitment to transparency and responsible financial management.
The nonprofit excels in several key areas, achieving full marks for maintaining an independent board and having no material diversion of assets. It also scored well for its comprehensive policies, including a conflict of interest policy and a whistleblower policy, which further underlines its commitment to ethical governance. The program expense ratio is particularly noteworthy, with 79.09% of expenditures directed towards its programs, suggesting a strong focus on fulfilling its mission.
However, while the organization showcases commendable practices, the single beacon score limits a more nuanced understanding of its overall impact. Potential donors and stakeholders may benefit from additional insights into program effectiveness and community engagement, which are not captured solely by financial metrics.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
Is Cottonwood Artists' School legitimate?
Cottonwood Artists' School is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Cottonwood Artists' School submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $128,750
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $155,760
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com
What is the mission statement of Cottonwood Artists' School?
The Cottonwood Artists' School engages individuals in the arts through learning, exhibits, and performances, fostering a diverse creative community for artists. Its mission is to provide a space for artists, both established and emerging, by offering a range of classes in various art mediums and niche courses. The school encourages both formally educated artists and those without formal education to learn and grow within the collective. Additionally, it showcases professional artists and emerging talents through exhibits, and hosts a variety of events to connect with the community, such as art markets, live music, and fundraisers. Recently, the school expanded its offerings into the literary arts and paved an alley for performances, farmers' markets, and private events.
Official website here: www.cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com
Who is the CEO of Cottonwood Artists' School?
Cari Hanrahan is the Secretary of Cottonwood Artists' School.
Official website here: www.cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com
What is the revenue of Cottonwood Artists' School?
Cottonwood Artists' School's revenue in 2022 was $1,458,558.
Official website here: www.cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com
Who are the executives of Cottonwood Artists' School and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Cottonwood Artists' School during 2022 was $25,865. There are 11 employees at Cottonwood Artists' School.
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- Compensation: $125,000
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- Other: $3,750
Official website here: www.cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com
Where can I find the form 990 for Cottonwood Artists' School?
Cottonwood Artists' School's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com
Learn more at the official website: www.cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com
Mission Statement of Cottonwood Artists' School
Cottonwood Artists' School plays a significant role in engaging the local community in art through various learning opportunities, exhibits, and performances. This diverse artistic hub provides a creative space for over 120 artists, fostering an environment that encourages both formally educated art students and those without formal education to grow and learn from each other. The center offers a wide range of classes, catering to various artistic interests and skill levels. Subjects include traditional mediums such as watercolor painting, life drawing, pottery, and printmaking, as well as niche courses like pine needle basket weaving, candle making, wrap jewelry, and stained glass. The center has recently expanded into the literary arts, offering creative writing, poetry, zine-making, and personal narrative classes. For those ready to showcase their talents, film, acting, voice, and music classes are available. Additionally, business classes related to selling art, including website design and marketing, are offered to help artists navigate the commercial side of their craft.
Cottonwood Artists' School is more than just a place for artists to create; it's a vibrant community that encourages collaboration and growth. Monthly critiques and the Artist Cafe, a space designed to challenge and inspire, allow artists to learn from their more experienced contemporaries. The center showcases professional artists and those just starting their artistic journeys through multiple galleries, hosting solo exhibits, group shows, and selective juried shows. During the pandemic, Cottonwood even created a drive-by exhibit in the parking lot.
The center also generates revenue through additional events that connect it to the community. Offerings include Colorado Farm and Art Markets, which attract 1,000 visitors each month from November to March, art parties for kids and adults, live music, spoken word poetry performances, wedding receptions, and fundraisers. Most recently, a grant from El Pomar Foundation and other donations enabled Cottonwood to pave and decorate the alley south of the building, adding 6,000 square feet of usable space for performances, farmers' markets, private event rentals, exhibits, and summer youth camps. Overall, Cottonwood Artists' School is a vital hub for the local artistic community, providing a space for learning, exhibiting, and performing art while fostering a vibrant, collaborative environment.
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Impact
October, 2024
Cottonwood Artists' School makes a profound impact on the Pikes Peak region by fostering a vibrant arts community through education, exhibitions, and performances. Each year, over 2,700 students enroll in a variety of art classes, ranging from traditional mediums like watercolor painting and pottery to more niche offerings such as pine needle basket weaving and stained glass. This diverse curriculum not only equips individuals with artistic skills but also encourages creativity and personal expression.
The center serves as a hub for 120 artists, many of whom engage in collaborative learning and critique sessions, enriching their own practices and supporting one another's growth. With a focus on inclusivity, Cottonwood welcomes artists from various backgrounds, with or without formal education, to participate in its community and learn from each other.
Cottonwood's galleries regularly showcase the works of both established and emerging artists, providing them with critical exposure and opportunities to connect with the community. Monthly shows feature a wide range of contemporary themes, reinforcing the center’s role in promoting local art and culture.
Moreover, Cottonwood enhances community engagement through events that draw significant visitor numbers, such as the Colorado Farm and Art Markets, which welcome about 1,000 visitors monthly from November to March. The recent expansion of usable outdoor space through a grant has further enabled performances, private events, and youth camps, solidifying its role as a cultural cornerstone in Colorado Springs.
Through its commitment to the arts, Cottonwood Artists' School not only nurtures individual creativity but also strengthens community ties and enriches the cultural landscape of the region.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Cottonwood Artists' School. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.
- Investment Income: $7,440
- Program Service Revenue: $688,628
- Gross Receipts: $1,458,558
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $2,182,125
- Total Liabilities: $576,833
- Net Assets: $1,605,292
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
STUDIO RENTAL
Revenue
$361,313
CLASSES/WORKSHOPS
Revenue
$256,158
SALE OF ART WORK
Revenue
$71,157
Organization Details
Founding Year
2005
Phone
(719) 520-1899Principal Officer
Cari Hanrahan
Main Address
427 E COLORADO AVE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, 80903
NTEE Category
Code: A25 - Arts
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