2025-09-17T00:22:43-07:00 2024-12-31 Sheila M Flanagan CPA CFE CRMA 3075 Heritage Dr Troy MI 48083 990 2024-01-01 383373601 The Art Experience Inc ARTE 2487063304 175 S Saginaw St Ste 109 Pontiac MI 48342 Elizabeth McLachlan Executive Director 2025-09-17 true true Sheila Flanagan P03216047 2482293863 X 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Elizabeth McLachlan 358089 false X www.theartexperience.org X 1996 MI The Art Experience is an inclusive, barrier-free community art studio dedicated to improving lives through the arts. Our programs welcome people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, creating a safe and supportive environment where everyone can access the healing, expressive, and community-building power of creativity. Through our core offeringsOpen Studio, Art Therapy, and External Programswe ensure that the arts remain accessible to all, particularly individuals who might otherwise face barriers to participation. 9 9 11 0 216448 139665 29 1947 358089 0 0 156442 0 8461 62208 218650 139439 59123 204243 6415 4985 52708 199258 The Art Experiences mission is improving lives through the arts by fostering creativity, healing, and connection through inclusive, barrier-free programs that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. false false 68993 The Art Experience extends its mission beyond the studio by partnering with schools, companies, and community organizations to provide accessible, high-quality art programming tailored to each setting. Whether through classroom residencies that support arts education, workplace workshops that foster creativity and wellness, or collaborative projects that bring communities together, these programs ensure that the benefits of art are not limited by geography, income, or ability. By meeting people where they are, we strengthen community connection and expand opportunities for inclusive, barrier-free creative engagement. 55834 Our Art Therapy program provides individual and group sessions led by licensed art therapists, grounded in evidence-based practice. We serve people of all ages, with a focus on youth with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness, survivors of violence, military veterans, and others navigating trauma or life transitions. Through accessible, creative experiences, participants discover new ways to express themselves, develop coping skills, and strengthen emotional resilience in a safe and inclusive setting. The Art Experience is committed to reducing barriers through sliding-scale fees and partnerships that make therapeutic art accessible to those most in need. 46610 Open Studio is the heart of The Art Experience, providing a welcoming space where people of every age and ability can explore creativity at their own pace. Participants have access to a wide range of art materialsboth newly purchased and gently donatedalong with encouragement and guidance from professional artists and art therapists. Open Studio fosters inclusion, reduces stress, builds confidence, and cultivates meaningful social connections. Looking ahead, we are expanding outreach and hours to ensure even more individuals and families across Southeast Michigan can share in this creative community. 171437 true false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 0 0 false 11 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 9 9 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false MI X X Sheila Flanagan 2482293863 3075 Heritage Drive Troy MI 48083 X Audra Pieknik Executive Director 40.00 0.00 46165 0 0 Lori Brauer President 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Angie Okonski Secretary 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Megan McCoy Treasurer 4.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Marego DeLizia Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 O'Neil Franso Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Shauna Morrow Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Ashley Turner Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Lisa Washington Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Andrew May Vice President 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 46165 0 false false false 0 7130 155150 54168 216448 Art Therapy - In Studio 624100 13335 13335 Artist - In Residence 624100 10156 5078 5078 Kennedy Schools 624100 116174 116174 139665 29 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 1947 1947 1947 0 358089 134616 7025 0 0 0 0 46165 36932 6925 2308 0 102275 90724 11551 0 0 8002 6001 2001 0 0 2942 735 2207 0 0 0 0 1117 1004 113 18663 7703 10960 14918 14091 827 0 15372 13835 1537 106 106 0 5840 5840 0 0 0 2598 2598 Training 180 180 Other Fundraising 150 150 Artist in Residence Expense 126 126 Printing and Publications 60 60 136 86 50 218650 171437 38752 8461 30871 71582 22142 127172 0 -244 0 0 0 0 0 22463 18080 6110 4383 0 0 0 0 1350 59123 204243 6415 4985 6415 4985 X 52708 152801 46457 52708 199258 59123 204243 139439 7111 X false false false X 137950 68428 110492 108202 216448 641520 59070 57688 85241 55179 139665 396843 1947 1947 0 0 197020 126116 195733 163381 358060 1040310 0 0 1040310 29 29 0 29 29 0 0 197020 126116 195733 163381 358089 1040339 1.00000 0.00000 X 17103 12720 4383 3228 3228 2132 2132 4383 358089 358089 358089 218650 218650 218650 Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 1a The Board of Directors of The Art Experience may establish standing or ad hoc committees to help carry out the organizations work more effectively. Committees operate under the authority of the Board and within the scope of responsibilities defined in the bylaws or by board resolution. Most ad hoc or board committees are led by an assigned or delegated board member who ensures that the committees activities remain aligned with board priorities and governance standards. Committees may be granted broad authority to research issues, develop recommendations, and, in limited cases, take action within their defined scope. However, the Board of Directors retains ultimate fiduciary responsibility and reserves final authority over all major decisions, including approval of budgets, policies, contracts, and strategic direction. Delegating authority to committees allows the Board to work more efficiently, leverage specialized expertise, and engage members in focused areas of oversight and planning. All committee actions and recommendations are reported back to the full Board for review and, when required, formal approval. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The Form 990 for The Art Experience is prepared with the assistance of the organization's accountant in collaboration with the Executive Director. A draft of the return is first reviewed by the Executive Board to ensure accuracy and alignment with organizational records. Following this review, the draft is shared with the full Board of Directors for discussion and questions prior to filing. Final authorization for submission rests with the Board of Directors, and the review process is documented in board meeting minutes to ensure transparency and accountability. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The Art Experience maintains a written Conflict of Interest Policy requiring annual disclosure by all board members, officers, and key staff. Board members are also required to disclose any potential conflicts as they arise during the year. Disclosures are reviewed by the Executive Committee (or designated committee), which determines whether a conflict exists and what steps are necessary to manage it. If a conflict is identified, the affected individual is excused from discussion and voting on related matters. All disclosures and actions are documented in board meeting minutes to ensure transparency. The Board Chair and Executive Committee are responsible for monitoring compliance and addressing any violations of the policy. This process ensures that decisions are made in the best interest of the organization and free from undue influence. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a The compensation of the Executive Director and other key management staff at The Art Experience is reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. The Executive Board conducts the initial review using comparability data from nonprofit salary surveys and peer organizations of similar size and scope. Recommendations are then presented to the full Board of Directors for discussion and approval. All compensation decisions are documented in the minutes of board meetings, including the data relied upon and the basis for approval. This process ensures that compensation is fair, reasonable, and consistent with legal requirements and best practices in nonprofit governance. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15b The compensation of officers and other key employees of The Art Experience is reviewed by the Executive Board, which gathers and considers comparability information such as salary data from peer nonprofit organizations and other publicly available sources. The Executive Board makes recommendations to the full Board of Directors, which reviews, discusses, and votes on the proposed compensation. All decisions are recorded in the official board meeting minutes to provide transparency and accountability. This process is designed to ensure that compensation is reasonable, appropriate, and aligned with the organizations mission and resources. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Governing docs, policies, and financial statements are available upon request Part I, Line 1 - Organization Mission or Significant Activities The Art Experience is a nonprofit community art studio dedicated to improving lives through the arts. For nearly three decades, we have served Southeast Michigan as a welcoming hub for creativity, bringing people together across ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Our significant activities include: Open Studio, the cornerstone of our work, where individuals and families can drop in to explore artmaking at their own pace, with access to quality materials and encouragement from professional artists and art therapists. Art Therapy, providing individual and group sessions led by licensed and registered art therapists, offering safe and supportive spaces for self-expression, resilience-building, and emotional healing. Participants include children, teens, adults, and seniors, as well as those navigating trauma, disability, mental health challenges, or life transitions. External Programs, which extend the reach of our mission through partnerships with schools, companies, and community organizations, ensuring that creativity and connection are available in a wide range of settings. The Art Experience is guided by a commitment to being a welcoming, barrier-free environment where anyone can discover the benefits of creative expression. Our work is made possible by a network of supporters, including local foundations, businesses, donors, and volunteers, alongside a team of highly qualified staff and licensed art therapists who ensure that programs are professional, inviting, and impactful. By connecting people through creativity, The Art Experience helps reduce isolation, foster belonging, and strengthen the social fabric of Southeast Michigan. With nearly three decades of continuous service, we have become a trusted community anchor for creativity and well-being. As we approach our 30th anniversary, The Art Experience is building on this foundation to expand partnerships, strengthen programs, and welcome even more individuals and families into the creative process.