named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Ceramics Program
Offers classes and open studio access in ceramics for adults and youth, including beginner and intermediate wheel and hand-building courses, and teen intensives
Fencing Program
Offers beginner and advanced fencing classes for children ages 8-11 and adults, held at the Drake House location
Literature Classes
Adult education courses such as "Reading the Classics" that explore literary works through guided discussion and analysis
Summer Camps
Week-long multi-arts camps for children ages 6-11 and teens ages 12-16, including themes like "Summer Garden" and "Travel the World," with activities in culinary arts, visual arts, and theater
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Community Art Education Workshops 3 activities
- Community Arts Classes and WorkshopsOffers art, dance, education, fencing, and culinary arts classes and workshops for children and adults, including fall sessions and specialized instruction in ceramics, music, and literature. Accepts proposals from instructors to expand programming.
- Facility and Studio AccessProvides studio space for private music instruction and open ceramics studio access to adults who have completed qualifying coursework, supporting ongoing artistic practice and community use of facilities.
- Youth Summer Enrichment ProgramsProvides summer enrichment camps for youth ages 6–16, offering programming in ceramics, multi-arts, dance, theater, culinary arts, and fencing, designed to expand creative skills and foster social connections.
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Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
- Arts Access and Financial Support InitiativesReduces financial barriers to participation by awarding over 50 scholarships annually to local students and offering a membership program that provides a 20% tuition discount and supports mission-based programming through donations and matching gifts.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Community Engagement EventsHosts community events such as a celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and legacy, fostering community connections through shared artistic and cultural experiences.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Exhibition Programming and Gallery OperationsOperates the Houghton Gallery as a dedicated space for temporary and community-focused exhibitions, curating six shows annually, including faculty and student work, pop-up collaborations, and themed exhibitions like 'Refracted: Glass in Community.' Hosts free public opening receptions and displays artwork from summer camp participants.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$907K
Contributions & grants$402K44%
Program service revenue$420K46%
Investment income$57K6%
Other revenue$28K
expenses
Total expenses$1.06M
Program expenses52%
Admin / overhead40%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$585K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.36M
Cash$393K
Investments$2.98M
Liabilities$129K
Net assets$5.23M
Liquid reserves38.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -3.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIRSTY HARPER BUCHANAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $90K |
| KIM HUSTON | DIR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS | 40 | $76K |
board members · 19
- ALEXANDRA RUGGIERO — BOARD MEMBER
- ANN JAKLE — BOARD MEMBER
- ASHLEY MCNALLY — BOARD MEMBER
- BABATUNDE AYANFODUN — BOARD MEMBER
- BARB VASSALLO — BOARD MEMBER (END. MARCH 2025)
- BRETT SMITH — BOARD MEMBER (BEG. MARCH 2025)
- CASSANDRA TALIAFERRO — BOARD MEMBER (END. DECEMBER 2024)
- CELINE ZHANG — BOARD MEMBER (BEG. MARCH 2025)
- CHRISTINE WILKEN — BOARD MEMBER (BEG. MARCH 2025)
- JAMES TRUXON — VICE PRESIDENT
- JOHN NOVOTNY — BOARD MEMBER
- KRISTY LANGTRY — BOARD MEMBER (END. AUGUST 2025)
- MARIA GOLDWYN — BOARD MEMBER
- MELISSA BAUCO — BOARD MEMBER (BEG. MARCH 2025)
- MIKE HOGUE — BOARD MEMBER
- TARA RAMAIAH — BOARD MEMBER (END. MARCH 2025)
- TYMON DANIELS — TREASURER
- XAVIER LAFOSSE — PRESIDENT
- YVETTE STERBENK — SECRETARY
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Alejandra Diemecke Partner — Private music instructor offering violin lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- Augusto Diemecke Partner — Private music instructor offering violin lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- Bruce House Partner — Hosts ceramics and visual arts classes at 171 Cedar Street, Corning, NY
- Christine Lowe-Diemecke Partner — Private music instructor offering cello lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- Claire Gonta-Smock Partner — Private music instructor offering piano lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- Corning Chinese School Partner — Collaborates on a pop-up spring art show.
- Davey McEuen Partner — Private music instructor offering guitar lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- Dino Losito Partner — Private music instructor offering piano lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- Dr. Daniel LaBar Partner — Private music instructor offering piano lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- Drake House Partner — Hosts culinary, summer camp, fencing, and theater programs at 155 Cedar Street, Corning, NY
- Edwin Caplin Foundation Funder — Provides annual grants through the Edwin Caplin Foundation Scholarship Fund to support students pursuing instrumental music lessons.
- Frances McLaren Partner — Private music instructor offering piano lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- Imperisoft Partner — Technology platform provider for registration and account management system
- Janice Shieh Partner — Private music instructor offering piano and violin lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- John Manfredi Partner — Private music instructor offering guitar lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- Laura Campbell Partner — Private music instructor offering flute lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- Mary Kathryn Campbell Partner — Private music instructor offering piano lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- One Seventy One Cedar, Inc. Network — Operating name used for 171 Cedar Arts Center in technical and administrative systems.
- Richard MacDowell Partner — Private music instructor offering clarinet lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center
- The Gahagan Family Partner — Established the Gahagan Family Scholarship Fund in 2025 to support students in all disciplines and expand access to underserved communities.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Art as a Catalyst for Community and Personal Developmentmethodology: art-as-catalystBy using art as a catalyst, the organization fosters community engagement and personal growth because creative expression builds interpersonal connections and strengthens community bonds.
- Multidisciplinary Arts Education for Holistic Skill Developmentmethodology: multidisciplinary_arts_educationBy offering multidisciplinary arts programming across visual, performing, and culinary arts, the organization engages diverse learners in creative skill development because varied artistic modalities appeal to different learning styles and life stages.
- Removal of Financial Barriers to Arts Accessmethodology: financial-accessBy eliminating financial barriers through sliding-scale or subsidized access, the organization increases participation in arts education, particularly among underserved populations, because economic accessibility directly enables broader community inclusion.
- Tiered Membership Model to Deepen Donor Engagementmethodology: tiered_membership_modelBy structuring membership with donation-based tiers and matching incentives, the organization turns financial supporters into active community participants because perceived value and recognition increase donor commitment and sustained involvement.