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Nonprofit · EIN 43-1395056

CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS

Also known as COCA

Tax-exempt · SAINT LOUIS, MO 63130

Financials

$5.4M$7.8M2022$7.9M$8.7M2023$6.3M$8.6M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
August 31, 2025990$6,260,450$8,646,303-$2,385,853$16,104,983$10,241,612$5,863,371
August 31, 2024990$7,947,086$8,703,117-$756,031$21,514,608$12,997,575$8,517,033
August 31, 2023990$5,365,484$7,769,092-$2,403,608$21,939,216$13,254,710$8,684,506
Financial details: 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$2,879,860
of which government grants
$195,470
Program service revenue
$2,589,265
Investment income
$750,553
Net rental income
$6,415
Net gain from sales of assets
$584,313
Net income from fundraising events
-$6,923
Net income from sales of inventory
$136
Other revenue
$40,772

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$435,182
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$447,079
Other salaries and wages
$3,717,579
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$4,598,547
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$5,641
Accounting fees
$78,500
Occupancy
$1,316,715
Travel
$16,846
Depreciation
$322,041
Program services (functional)
$5,609,615
Management and general (functional)
$1,920,895
Fundraising (functional)
$1,115,793

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$21,514,608
Total assets, end of year
$16,104,983
Total liabilities, end of year
$10,241,612
Net assets, end of year
$5,863,371
Land, buildings and equipment
$2,656,817
Publicly traded securities
$5,158,138
Net assets without donor restrictions
-$234,827
Net assets with donor restrictions
$6,098,198
Gross receipts
$9,044,401
Employees
290
Volunteers
123
Year formed
1987
State of legal domicile
MO

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
INDIGO SAMSPRESIDENT & CEO
Officer
36$235,054$11,594
DARON HENDRIXSR. DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Highest-paid employee
40$119,466$8,121
SHAWNA FLANIGANSR. DIR. OF ARTISTIC STRATEGY
Highest-paid employee
40$122,134$3,880
VIRGINA HOWELLSR. DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT
Highest-paid employee
40$118,789$1,319
CHRISTIAN WILLIAMSSR. DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE AND OPERATIONS
Highest-paid employee
40$106,433$4,416
EMILY MCLEANSR. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Officer
40$101,642$6,971
KRISTIN JOHNSONPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
SHERI TICHENORTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
SUSAN WERNERSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
HOPE ABRAMOVDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
THESINA ADAMSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LAEL BAGNALLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
NANCY BARNES-AULTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ANN BEATTYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BILL BRADLEYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
26 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
CAROLYN BROWNDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
HUNTER BROWNDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
REBECCA BROWNDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ERICA BOUCHARDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
LESLIE BURROWSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
BRIAN CHAODIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
CATHERINE CODISPOTIDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
RASHEEN COLEMANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
GINA EANSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
KURT GERDESDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ERICA GLANZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
LISA GUIRLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DONNA LAVOIEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
SUSAN LYNCHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
STEVE MACKINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
MERRITT MAMROTHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
MELISSA MERLINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
TYLER MEYRDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DAFFNEY MOOREDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
RICKY NIX JRDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
RIISA RAWLINSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
LESLEY SANCHEZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
MEG SCHNEITHORSTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ANNA TEGETHOFFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
BRIAN THOMASDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ANN VONALLMENDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
990 for the year ended August 31, 2024: 39 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
INDIGO SAMSEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Officer
36$243,032$18,079
DARON HENDRIXSR. DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Highest-paid employee
40$126,451$8,114
ANTONIO DOUTHIT-BOYDDIRECTOR OF DANCE
Highest-paid employee
40$119,993$2,423
CATHERINE WURTZSR. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE (THRU 3/24)
Officer
40$117,885$0
VIRGINA HOWELLSR. DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT
Highest-paid employee
40$117,300$0
SHAWNA FLANIGANSR. DIR. OF ARTISTIC STRAT & PROG
Highest-paid employee
40$109,759$2,304
ALLISON RAPINISR. MANAGING DIR. OF OPERATIONS
Highest-paid employee
40$105,494$1,797
KRISTIN JOHNSONPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
MEG SCHNEITHORSTTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
SUSAN WERNERSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
HOPE ABRAMOVDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LAEL BAGNALLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
NANCY BARNES-AULTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ANN BEATTYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BILL BRADLEYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CLAUDIA BRODIEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
HUNTER BROWNDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRISTY BUCHANANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
SHEILA BURKETTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KELLY DORIADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
GINA EANSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ERICA GLANZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LISA GUIRLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
SUZANNE JOHNSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DONNA LAVOIEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
STEVE MACKINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MELISSA MERLINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
TYLER MEYRDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DAFFNEY MOOREDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOHN NICKELDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RICKY NIX JRDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KANIKA PANDEYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RIISA RAWLINSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DAVID REYNOLDSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RACHEL SEWARDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ANNA TEGETHOFFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
SHERI TICHENORDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
BRIAN THOMASDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
EMILY MCLEANSR. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE (AS OF 4/24)
Officer
40$0$0
990 for the year ended August 31, 2023: 35 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
ALESHA HENLEYINTERIM EXEC. DIRECTOR (THRU 8/23)
Officer
37.5$154,779$2,171
JEREMY DEWEYSR DIR - DEV & FINANCE (THRU 2/23)
Highest-paid employee
37.5$118,000$0
ANTONIO DOUTHIT-BOYDDIRECTOR OF DANCE
Highest-paid employee
37.5$102,520$14,262
MELISSA LICKERTDIRECTOR OF FINANCE (THRU 1/23)
Officer
37.5$89,836$743
BILL CARSONPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
KRISTIN JOHNSONPRESIDENT-ELECT
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
RAY KALINOWSKITREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
SUSAN WERNERSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
HOPE ABRAMOVDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
NANCY BARNES-AULTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ANN BEATTYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BILL BRADLEYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CLAUDIA BRODIEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
HUNTER BROWNDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRISTY BUCHANANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
SHEILA BURKETTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RHONDA CARTER ADAMSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KELLY DORIADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ERICA GLANZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LAUREN HERRINGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JESSE HUNTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
SUZANNE JOHNSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PAULINE KIMDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ELIZABETH MANNEN BERGESDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MELISSA MERLINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
TYLER MEYRDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DAFFNEY MOOREDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RICKY NIX JRDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KEN OLLIFFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KANIKA PANDEYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RACHEL SEWARDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BRIAN THOMASDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
SHERRI TICHENORDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
INDIGO SAMSEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (AS OF 2/23)
Officer
37.5$0$0
CATHERINE WURTZSR. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE (AS OF 3/23)
Officer
37.5$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
6880 WASHINGTON AVE, SAINT LOUIS, MO 63130-4628
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
INDIGO SAMS, 6880 WASHINGTON AVENUE, SAINT LOUIS, MO 63130
Signed the 990
INDIGO SAMS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Phone
(314) 725-1834
Return prepared by
RUBINBROWN LLP

Mission

ENRICHING LIVES AND BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS.

990 for the year ended August 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • EDUCATION - COCA INSPIRES ART EXPERIENCES FOR ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS, FROM ENTHUSIASTIC AMATEURS TO EMERGING PROFESSIONALS. WE OFFER CLASSES IN ART & DESIGN, CIRCUS, CULINARY ARTS, DANCE, EARLY CHILDHOOD, THEATRE, AND VOICE. WHETHER PATRONS ARE LOOKING FOR CLASSES TO TAKE IN-PERSON AT OUR UNIVERSITY CITY CAMPUS, VIRTUALLY FROM YOUR OWN HOME, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH, WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, TOTAL ENROLLMENT WAS 3,517, WHICH INCLUDES 95 PRE-PROFESSIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDENTS.
    Expenses $2,815,600 · grants $202,503 · revenue $1,141,845
  • CAMPS - COCA SUMMER ARTS CAMPS IGNITE CREATIVITY! CAMPERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND EXPERIENCE NEW THINGS, BUILD THEIR SKILLS, AND - MOST IMPORTANTLY - HAVE FUN! COCA OFFERS SOME OF THE MOST CREATIVE SUMMER ARTS CAMPS FOR KIDS AND TEENS, SERVING 5,374 CAMP ENROLLMENTS.
    Expenses $1,028,586 · grants $85,658 · revenue $1,052,983
  • SEE SCHEDULE OCOCA PRESENTS - COCAPRESENTS, THE SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE SEASON, BRINGS THOUGHT-PROVOKING PROGRAMMING FOR MULTIGENERATIONAL AUDIENCES TO THE ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY WITH A SELECTION OF TRADITIONAL AUDIENCE FAVORITES AND INNOVATIVE NEW WORK FROM LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND STUDENT ARTISTS. COCA'S INNOVATIVE PERFORMANCES TRANSFORM THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND US. COCA'S MILLSTONE GALLERY PRESENTS TIMELY, RELEVANT EXHIBITIONS FROM EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED ARTISTS. EXHIBITIONS WELCOME VISITORS TO EXAMINE THE ARTISTIC PROCESS AND ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE. WITH ACCESS AS A CORE VALUE, COCA PRESENTS PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO EXPERIENCE ENGAGING ART FORMS AND STRIVES TO MAKE THEM ACCESSIBLE TO THE WIDEST POSSIBLE DEMOGRAPHIC THROUGH DISCOUNTED TICKETS, SCHOOL TIME PERFORMANCES FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE MILLSTONE GALLERY IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 8,218 PEOPLE ATTENDED THESE PERFORMANCES.
    Expenses $1,365,463 · grants $113,713 · revenue $243,491
  • COCAEDU - COCAEDU IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MODEL OF EXCELLENCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION. COCAEDU ENGAGES STUDENTS, INSPIRES TEACHERS, AND DEMONSTRATES THE POWER OF THE ARTS TO BRIDGE BARRIERS THROUGH PROGRAMS IN CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE ST. LOUIS REGION. SINCE 1992, THE PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED ARTS PROGRAMMING TO THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND DEDICATED EDUCATORS. COCAEDU PROVIDES COLLABORATIVE ARTS INTEGRATION RESIDENCIES THAT PARTNER TEACHING ARTISTS FROM LOCAL ARTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WITH TEACHERS FROM THE ST. LOUIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITY CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, FERGUSON-FLORISSANT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND MANY MORE.DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, 30 SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDED 134 COLLABORATIVE RESIDENCIES AND CLASSES AND SERVED APPROXIMATELY 2,676 PARTICIPANTS. IN ADDITION, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR 75 EDUCATORS.
    Expenses $279,021 · grants $23,236 · revenue $145,775
  • COCABIZ - COCABIZ, THE BUSINESS TRAINING DIVISION OF COCA, PROVIDES IMMERSIVE ARTS-BASED TRAINING, PROGRAMMING, AND CONSULTING FOR PROFESSIONALS. THE COCABIZ MISSION IS TO BUILD A MORE CREATIVE, ENGAGED, AND EFFECTIVE WORKFORCE BY DELIVERING INNOVATIVE WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS THAT EMPLOY AUTHENTIC ARTS TEACHING AND ACHIEVE BUSINESS RESULTS. COCABIZ PROGRAMS BRING INDIVIDUALS TOGETHER IN AN INTELLIGENT AND ENGAGING ATMOSPHERE, INSPIRING BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS TO EXPLORE NEW APPROACHES AND EMERGING IDEAS ACROSS INDUSTRIES. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR APPROXIMATELY 681 PARTICIPANTS WERE SERVED.
    Expenses $120,945 · grants $10,072 · revenue $52,730

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in August, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025August 31, 2026January 15, 2027Not due yet
2024August 31, 2025January 15, 2026990 on file
2023August 31, 2024January 15, 2025990 on file

IRS record

EIN
43-1395056
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1986
Accounting year ends
August
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$16,104,983
Income (IRS master file)
$9,044,401

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990August 2025$6,260,450$8,646,303$16,104,983IRS
990-TAugust 2025–––IRS
990August 2024$7,947,086$8,703,117$21,514,608IRS
990-TAugust 2024–––IRS
990August 2023$5,365,484$7,769,092$21,939,216XML
990-TAugust 2023–––IRS
990August 2022$6,630,561$7,857,378$18,522,885IRS
990-TAugust 2022–––IRS
990August 2021–––IRS
990-TAugust 2021–––IRS
990August 2020–––IRS
990August 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 43-1395056).

Questions about CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS

What is the EIN of CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS?
The employer identification number (EIN) of CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS is 43-1395056.
Is CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1986.
Are donations to CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending August 31, 2026) is due January 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended August 2025.
Who is the principal officer of CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS?
The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 names INDIGO SAMS.
Who are the officers and directors of CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS?
The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 lists 41 people; 6 received compensation from the organization, the highest $235,054 (INDIGO SAMS, PRESIDENT & CEO).
How much revenue does CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS have?
On its 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $6,260,450, expenses of $8,646,303 and total assets of $16,104,983 at year end.

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