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BROOKLYN WATERFRONT ARTISTS COALITION
BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 112771371 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Small ($100K-$1M) · bwac.org
revenue
$164K
expenses
$187K
net assets
$16K
employees
2
volunteers
130
program ratio
76%
mission · from form 990

Help emerging artists advance in their careers

profile · synthesized from sources

Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) is an artist-run nonprofit that supports emerging and established artists by providing exhibition opportunities, professional development, and public engagement. The organization hosts juried and thematic art exhibitions in Brooklyn, often centered on social, cultural, and environmental themes. Since a 2025 fire displaced its Red Hook space, BWAC has operated from the Whale Building in Sunset Park.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

ArtShare for HeartShare
Exhibition program in partnership with HeartShare that showcases artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Community Benefit Exhibitions
Curates exhibitions that raise funds for social causes, such as supporting Ukrainian refugees and Planned Parenthood
National Juried Exhibitions
Hosts competitive, theme-based exhibitions open to artists nationwide, such as "Aerosol Euphoria: Urban Street Art" and "Summer of Soccer: The World’s Game"
Solo and Member Exhibitions
Features solo shows and group exhibitions by BWAC member artists, including "Crazy Joy Time for You" and "Between Two Waterfronts"
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 4 activities
    • Facilitate artist talks, discussions, and public programs
      Hosts public events such as artist talks, curator-led discussions, and closing day events for exhibitions, including programming for "Summer of Soccer" and "Unmoored / Unbound." These events engage audiences in dialogue around the artwork and its themes.
    • Host open calls and pop-up exhibitions during space transitions
      Organizes open calls for art and pop-up exhibitions in various locations while seeking a new permanent physical space. For example, an open call with a submission deadline of August 20, 2026, leads to an exhibition from September 17 to October 18, 2026.
    • Organize and present juried and thematic art exhibitions
      Produces juried and curated group exhibitions on specific themes such as "Unmoored / Unbound" (exploring loss, liberation, and transition), "Summer of Soccer: The World’s Game" (soccer’s cultural impact), and "Between Two Waterfronts: A Brooklyn Landscape" (Brooklyn’s waterfront as a cultural and historical space). These exhibitions are often co-organized with partner organizations like Powerhouse Arts and include national open calls. The organization hosts multiple member exhibitions annually from Spring through Late Fall.
    • Support emerging artists through exhibition and professional development opportunities
      Offers affordable exhibition and sales opportunities for emerging artists, helping them advance their careers. The organization supports professional growth through access to exhibitions, curatorial experience, and community engagement.
  • Animal Welfare Fundraising Events 1 activity
    • Conduct fundraising exhibitions and art auctions for social causes and organizational support
      Hosts benefit exhibitions and fundraising events that support both organizational operations and external causes. Examples include a 2025 year-end art auction for operations, a 2022 exhibition supporting Ukrainian refugees (donations to USA for UNHCR), a 2022 fundraiser for women’s rights (proceeds to Planned Parenthood), and a 2025 exhibition with on-site pet adoptions and TNR workshops in partnership with animal rescue groups.
  • Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
    • Enable member leadership and curatorial participation
      Allows experienced members to apply to curate exhibitions and serve as volunteer interns with curators. Offers leadership development through committee work and curatorial collaboration, strengthening member engagement and organizational capacity.
  • Community-Engaged Public Art Projects 1 activity
    • Host solo exhibitions for member artists
      Provides solo exhibition opportunities for member artists, including discounted space for those who apply and are approved. Examples include solo shows for BWAC member Kumi Hirose. These exhibitions support emerging and experienced artists in gaining visibility and professional development.
  • Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
    • Offer free or low-cost art education and skill-sharing programs
      Provides accessible classes, workshops, gallery talks, and performance events at little or no cost to the public. Members may also lead workshops or gallery talks to share their expertise, fostering community learning and artistic exchange.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$164K
Contributions & grants$164K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$187K
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead24%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$79K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$36K
Cash$34K
Investments$0
Liabilities$21K
Net assets$16K
Liquid reserves2.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -12.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 6
  • HILDA ABLA — DIRECTOR
  • JESSICA SCHULMAN — DIRECTOR
  • LAUREN HABER — DIRECTOR
  • SANDRA FORREST — DIRECTOR
  • SUSAN HANDWERKER — DIRECTOR
  • TIMOTHY BREWER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 24

Who they work with

  • Alicia Degener Partner — Curator or facilitator leading a discussion event for the "Unmoored / Unbound" exhibition.
  • Amazon Funder — Financial supporter of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition.
  • Art Yard Bklyn Partner — Partner organization collaborating with BWAC on arts programming.
  • ArtShare for HeartShare Partner — Hosted an exhibition by artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities as part of a transformational arts program.
  • Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Partner — Co-presented the juried exhibition "Brooklyn X Pittsburgh: The Industry of Art" featuring artists from both cities.
  • BCAT Partner — Partner organization collaborating with BWAC on arts programming.
  • Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition Network — Member organization providing exhibition and professional development opportunities for artists.
  • Cordelia Stephens Coalition — Local artist and member of BWAC who participated in an artist talk about her work.
  • GAP Funder — Financial supporter of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition.
  • Gap Inc. Partner — Partnered with BWAC on fundraising exhibitions for Ukrainian refugees and women’s rights, including dollar-for-dollar matching of funds raised.
  • Helena Segy Foundation Funder — Financial supporter of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition.
  • Howard Gilman Foundation Funder — Financial supporter of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition.
  • Materials for the Arts Funder — Financial or in-kind supporter of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition.
  • New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Government agency providing support to the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition.
  • O'Connell Organization Funder — Financial supporter of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition.
  • Park Slope Windsor Terrace artists collective Partner — Hosted multiple exhibitions featuring artists from this local collective, including the 2025 Illuminations show.
  • Planned Parenthood Partner — Designated recipient of a portion of art sales from the 2022 Femmes Ensembles exhibition supporting women’s rights.
  • Powerhouse Arts Partner — Collaborated on the juried group exhibition 'Unmoored / Unbound'.
  • Powerhouse Arts Partner — Collaborated with Powerhouse Arts to present the juried group exhibition "Unmoored / Unbound" in Gowanus.
  • Red Hook Open Studios Partner — Partner organization collaborating with BWAC on arts programming.
  • Red Hook Public Library Partner — Community resource partner collaborating with BWAC on arts programming.
  • The Sierra Club Partner — Collaborated on the "New Yorkers Capturing Nature" exhibition showcasing nature photography by its members.
  • USA for UNHCR Partner — Beneficiary of funds raised through the 2022 Art and Artists for Ukraine exhibition.
  • Wallison Martins Partner — Featured artist participating in an artist talk for the 'Summer of Soccer' exhibition.
strategies · 3

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 Platform for Connection and Community Renewal
    methodology: art_for_connection
    By using art exhibitions to facilitate dialogue, healing, and interdisciplinary exploration, we strengthen community bonds and support collective renewal because shared artistic experiences create space for processing societal change and fostering cultural resilience.
  • Artist-Centered Development and Governance
    methodology: artist_centered_model
    By centering artists in leadership, programming, and operations—through an artist-run, volunteer-driven model—we foster professional growth and community relevance because direct accountability to artists ensures programming aligns with authentic creative needs and local cultural contexts.
  • Place-Based Artistic Inquiry for Social Relevance
    methodology: place_based_inquiry
    By using the Brooklyn waterfront as a thematic framework, we connect art to local history, labor, migration, and urban change because grounding exhibitions in specific place and context deepens public engagement and makes artistic expression a tool for collective memory and social reflection.