Nonprofit · EIN 51-0198497
ARTS CENTER
Also known as WENDY SMITH EX DIRECTOR
Tax-exempt · CARRBORO, NC 27510
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $2,174,778 | $2,345,282 | -$170,504 | $8,192,470 | $5,207,154 | $2,985,316 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $1,348,984 | $2,103,130 | -$754,146 | $8,359,794 | $5,203,974 | $3,155,820 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $2,615,380 | $2,251,068 | $364,312 | $9,803,962 | $5,893,996 | $3,909,966 |
| December 31, 2022 | 990 | $1,703,960 | $1,472,287 | $231,673 | $8,701,912 | $5,156,258 | $3,545,654 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $475,194
- of which government grants
- $58,430
- Program service revenue
- $1,392,842
- Investment income
- $39,476
- Net rental income
- $16,533
- Net income from fundraising events
- $92,043
- Other revenue
- $267,266
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $60,038
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $81,609
- Other salaries and wages
- $912,157
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,148,574
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $47,678
- Occupancy
- $251,714
- Depreciation
- $141,418
- Program services (functional)
- $2,053,227
- Management and general (functional)
- $146,234
- Fundraising (functional)
- $145,821
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $8,359,794
- Total assets, end of year
- $8,192,470
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $5,207,154
- Net assets, end of year
- $2,985,316
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $7,193,821
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,674,387
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $310,929
- Gross receipts
- $2,221,424
- Employees
- 79
- Volunteers
- 57
- Year formed
- 1975
- State of legal domicile
- NC
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 December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WENDY SMITH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $79,231 | $2,377 |
| JACKIE TANNER | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BECKY WOODRUFF | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSEPH DALEY | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| CHIEKO MURASUGI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| TAYLOR DANSBY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| VICTORIA ROVINE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY EVENS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| KAMAL JAMES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| FABRIZIO BIANCHI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| REBECCA MOORE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHANNA FOSTER | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK KLEINSCHMIDT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BERNADETTE PELISSIER | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BETH GARDINER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
3 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALLYSON CROSS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| REBECCA BOYLES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| NANCY PETERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WENDY SMITH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $99,797 | $2,994 |
| JACKIE TANNER | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BECKY WOODRUFF | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| HATHAWAY PENDERGRASS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| ELLEN MEDEARIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE BOLAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| RIZA JENKINS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY EVENS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| KAMAL JAMES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| HELEN KALISHER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| REBECCA MOORE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHANNA FOSTER | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK KLEINSCHMIDT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BERNADETTE PELISSIER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER L SHULTZ-THOMAS | EXCUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $99,317 | $9,452 |
| MICHAEL FRISCH | INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $27,000 | $0 |
| JACKIE TANNER | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| BECKY WOODRUFF | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| HATHAWAY PENDERGRASS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| ELLEN MEDEARIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE BOLAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| RIZA JENKINS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY EVENS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| KAMAL JAMES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| HELEN KALISHER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| REBECCA MOORE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK OTTER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHANNA FOSTER | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK KLEINSCHMIDT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BERNADETTE PELISSIER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2022: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER L SHULTZ-THOMAS | EXCUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $54,417 | $3,509 |
| DANIEL MAYER | PAST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $14,275 | $941 |
| JACKIE TANNER | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL FRISCH | PAST BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BRUCE RUNBERG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HATHAWAY PENDERGRASS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| ELLEN MEDEARIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE BOLAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RIZA JENKINS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY EVENS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| KETA BARNES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HELEN KALISHER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| REBECCA MOORE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK OTTER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOANNA FOSTER | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BERNADETTE PELISSIER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 400 ROBERSON ST, CARRBORO, NC 27510-2367
- In care of
- % ARTS
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- REBECCA NEWTON, 400 ROBERSON ST, CARRBORO, NC 27510
- Signed the 990
- REBECCA NEWTON, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (919) 929-2787
- Website
- WWW.ARTSCENTERLIVE.ORG
- Return prepared by
- NEAL BRADSHER & TAYLOR PA
Mission
THE ARTSCENTER EXISTS IN ORDER TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE ARTISTIC CREATIVITY AND TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.
Program accomplishments
- THE ARTSCENTER'S YOUTH PROGRAM IS PARAMOUNT TO THE MISSION SINCE NEARLY HALF OF THE ARTSCENTER'S PATRONS ARE UNDER AGE 18. FOR OVER FORTY YEARS, ARTSCAMP HAS OFFERED WEEK-LONG SUMMER CAMP SESSIONS FOR GRADES K-9, ALL TAUGHT BY LOCAL PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS. OVER THESE NINE SUMMER WEEKS, AREA YOUTH EXPLORE OVER 150 ARTS EDUCATION CLASSES. CAMPS FOCUS ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND DISCOVERING CREATIVE VOICES. IN SUMMER 2025, ARTSCAMP AWARDED 23 ONE-WEEK SCHOLARSHIPS AND SERVED 1,475 CHILDREN. SESSIONS INCLUDED AFRICAN DRUMMING FOR GRADES K-2, NARRATIVE ART FOR GRADES 3-5, AND CERAMICS FOR GRADES 6-9.YOUTH AFTERSCHOOL PROVIDES ARTS ENRICHMENT AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DURING CRITICAL AFTERSCHOOL HOURS FOR CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO YOUTH GRADES K-5. STUDENTS LEARN A VARIETY OF ARTISTIC STYLES, EXPLORE CULTURAL DIVERSITY, DELVE INTO SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, AND DEVELOP SOCIAL SKILLS BY WORKING IN PEER GROUPS. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN NEW ART CLASSES EACH MONTH EXPLORING TECHNIQUES SUCH AS MIXED MEDIA, PRINTING & DYING, AND ART LESSONS INSPIRED BY THE MASTERS. IN 2025, NINETY-SEVEN STUDENTS ATTENDED AFTERSCHOOL FOR EITHER A FULL FIVE-DAY WEEK OR A THREE-DAY WEEK. YOUTH AFTERSCHOOL OFFERED 7 FULL-TIME SCHOLARSHIPS THIS YEAR.Expenses $905,328 · revenue $747,816
- ARTSCHOOL SERVES AS THE LARGEST RESOURCE IN ORANGE COUNTY FOR LEARNERS OF ALL AGES TO EXPLORE THEIR ARTISTIC CAPACITY AND CREATIVITY. SESSIONS ARE OFFERED QUARTERLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT VARIOUS SKILL LEVELS IN AREAS SUCH AS PAINTING, DIGITAL ARTS, WRITING, CERAMICS, IMPROV, FIBER ARTS, DANCE, 3D PRINTING, LASER CUTTING, PHOTOGRAPHY AND MORE. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, LOCAL PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS ENCOURAGE EMERGING ARTISTS AND INCREASE COMMUNITY APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS. IN 2025, ARTSCHOOL OFFERED 341 CLASSES SERVING RESIDENTS OF THE GREATER TRIANGLE AREA INCLUDING DURHAM, HILLSBOROUGH, PITTSBORO, APEX, MEBANE, AND RALEIGH. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS LEARN NEW SKILLS WHILE ALSO DEVELOPING FULLER AND MORE EMPATHETIC PERSPECTIVES ON OTHER CULTURES AND VIEWPOINTS. THESE EXPERIENCES CREATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT IS HEALTHY, VIBRANT AND EQUITABLE.Expenses $556,797 · grants $60,038 · revenue $442,886
- THE PERFORMANCES PROGRAM AIMS TO CREATE AN INSPIRING THEATER EXPERIENCE TO BOTH ARTISTS AND PATRONS. PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS ARE CURATED TO FOCUS ON LOCAL TALENT WHO BRING MUSIC, IMPROV, PUPPETRY, THEATER AND DANCE TO THE ARTSCENTER'S STAGE. 2025 WAS THE SECOND FULL YEAR FOR PERFORMANCES IN THE ARTSCENTER'S NEW HOME; THE NEW SPACE OFFERS FLEXIBLE SEATING AND UPDATED TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT. THE PERFORMANCE SPACE IS ALSO RENTED TO OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS DEPARTMENTS AT UNC-CH AND OTHER NONPROFIT PARTNERS. INDIVIDUALS MAY RENT THE SPACE FOR PRIVATE EVENTS SUCH AS PARTIES, WEDDINGS, AND END-OF-LIFE CELEBRATIONS.Expenses $281,012 · revenue $126,192
- THE ARTSCENTER'S ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM PLACES LOCAL PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS IN ALL FIVE OF THE ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT'S TITLE ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO ENRICH THE EXISTING CURRICULUM THROUGH ARTS EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT AND JOY MAKING. AIR IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS, ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THE ARTSCENTER AND SERVES APPROXIMATELY 2,200 STUDENTS BY BRINGING 5-DAY ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCIES TO GRADES K-5. ADDITIONALLY, EACH SCHOOL ENJOYS TWO PROFESSIONAL THEATER PERFORMANCE SHOWS. THESE ARTS EXPERIENCES ARE OFFERED AT NO COST TO THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS OR FAMILIES.THE ARTSCENTER CONTAINS TWO ART GALLERIES THAT ARE OPEN FREE-OF-CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC AND HOST EXHIBITIONS THAT ROTATE EVERY SIX WEEKS. THE EXHIBITIONS ARE CURATED TO OFFER NEW PERSPECTIVES AND GLIMPSES INTO DIVERSE, CULTURAL EXPERIENCES IN VARIOUS MEDIA FROM LOCAL AND REGIONAL ARTISTS. DURING 2ND FRIDAY ARTWALKS, THE GALLERY BRINGS HUNDREDS OF VISITORS TO THE ARTSCENTER, WHERE THEY EXPERIENCE THE ART OF BOTH ESTABLISHED AND UP-AND-COMING ARTISTS. WHILE IN THE SPACE, VISITORS ALSO LEARN OF THE MANY OFFERINGS OF THE ARTSCENTER AND OFTEN HAVE THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE AN ART MAKING OPPORTUNITY AND/OR A PERFORMANCE.Expenses $310,090 · revenue $251,171
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 December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 51-0198497
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1976
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A200)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $8,192,470
- Income (IRS master file)
- $2,221,424
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $2,174,778 | $2,345,282 | $8,192,470 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $1,348,984 | $2,103,130 | $8,359,794 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $2,615,380 | $2,251,068 | $9,803,962 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $1,703,960 | $1,472,287 | $8,701,912 | XML |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 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 51-0198497).
Questions about ARTS CENTER
- What is the EIN of ARTS CENTER?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ARTS CENTER is 51-0198497.
- Is ARTS CENTER tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1976.
- Are donations to ARTS CENTER tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ARTS CENTER 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 ARTS CENTER due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did ARTS CENTER last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of ARTS CENTER?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names REBECCA NEWTON.
- Who are the officers and directors of ARTS CENTER?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 18 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $79,231 (WENDY SMITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does ARTS CENTER have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $2,174,778, expenses of $2,345,282 and total assets of $8,192,470 at year end.
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All nonprofits in CARRBORO · North Carolina · Arts, culture and humanities