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DECORATIVE ARTS SOCIETY INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 133559366 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · NTEE A20Z · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Micro (<$100K) · decartssociety.org
revenue
$30K
expenses
$22K
net assets
$155K
employees
mission · from form 990

ENCOURAGE INTEREST IN THE DECORATIVE ARTS THROUGH A NEWSLETTER, LECTURES, SYMPOSIA AND TRIPS.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Decorative Arts Society Inc is a nonprofit organization founded in 1990 to promote interest in and scholarship on decorative arts. It serves a community of museum professionals, academics, collectors, and enthusiasts through a biannual newsletter, curated lectures, study trips, and awards recognizing outstanding contributions to the field. The organization operates nationally with a focus on educational programming and professional recognition.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

DAS Publication Awards
Recognizes scholarly achievements in decorative arts through annual awards including the Robert C. Smith Award, Charles F. Montgomery Award, and Charles F. Montgomery Prize for publications in the field
Members-Only Programs and Events
Organizes lectures, behind-the-scenes curator tours, study trips, and hands-on workshops for members, featuring leading scholars and exhibitions in the field of decorative arts
Newsletter
Biannual publication serving as a forum for communication on exhibitions, publications, conferences, and professional news in the decorative arts, distributed to members
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
    • Administering awards for scholarly contributions in decorative arts
      Recognizes outstanding scholarly work in the decorative arts through an annual awards program, including honors for best journal article or essay, first major publication, distinguished contribution by a North American scholar, and exceptional service to the field. The awards are presented at an annual ceremony with a lecture and reception.
  • Art Museum Funding and Support 1 activity
    • Grantmaking to support future initiatives in decorative arts
      Funds long-term sustainability and growth in the decorative arts field through the Stewart Rosenblum Fund, which supports initiatives securing the future of the Decorative Arts Society.
  • Art Appreciation and Public Engagement 1 activity
    • Organizing educational programs and events in decorative arts
      Hosts lectures, symposia, study trips, curator-led tours, and member-exclusive events to promote the study and appreciation of decorative arts. Examples include tours at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Newark Museum of Art, American Folk Art Museum, and a day program at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
  • Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
    • Publishing and distributing a biannual newsletter
      Produces and distributes a biannual newsletter to members featuring information on exhibitions, publications, conferences, professional news, and Society activities in the field of decorative arts.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$30K
Contributions & grants$24K81%
Program service revenue
Investment income$6K19%
Other revenue
expenses
Total expenses$22K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits
Grants paid out
balance sheet
Total assets$155K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$155K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +29.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

board members · 7
  • ANNA T D'AMBROSIO — BOARD MEMBER
  • JUDITH HERNSTADT — BOARD MEMBER
  • KAREN ZUKOWSKI — BOARD MEMBER
  • LIZ ST GEORGE — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARGARET CALDWELL — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARGARET HOFER — BOARD MEMBER
  • MEDILL H HARVEY — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 7

Who they work with

  • American Folk Art Museum Partner — Collaborates on curator-led exhibition tours
  • David H. Bernstein and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP Partner — Provided pro bono legal services to uphold the integrity of the Decorative Arts Society trademark.
  • Explorers Club Partner — Venue host for annual awards and lecture event
  • Newark Museum of Art Partner — Partners on historic house tours and decorative arts programming
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art Partner — Collaborates on curator-led tours and member programs
  • Stewart Rosenblum Partner — Board member for 35 years; namesake of a fund established to secure the future of the Decorative Arts Society.
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art Partner — Hosts curator-led tours for members
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.

  • Community-Driven Engagement Model
    methodology: community-building
    By building and supporting a community of individuals with shared interest in the decorative arts, we advance appreciation and study because collective participation fosters deeper engagement and knowledge exchange.
  • Curator-Engaged Educational Access
    methodology: curator-engaged education
    By providing behind-the-scenes curatorial tours, expert lectures, and participatory workshops, we deepen public understanding of decorative arts because direct access to specialists and artifacts enhances learning and connection.
  • Inclusive Participation Model
    methodology: inclusive_membership
    By maintaining an inclusive membership open to all backgrounds and experience levels, we broaden public engagement with the decorative arts because accessibility removes barriers to cultural participation.
  • Scholarly Excellence as Field Advancement
    methodology: scholarly-excellence
    By recognizing original, clearly presented, and innovative research, we elevate the field of decorative arts because promoting high-quality scholarship strengthens academic and public understanding.