irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $327KARTIST STUDIO RESIDENCY PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN 2000, OUR ARTIST STUDIO PROGRAM PROVIDES SIX ARTISTS EACH YEAR WITH A PRIVATE STUDIO, A FELLOWSHIP, AND ACCESS TO A FABRICATION SHOP AND MEDIA LAB WITH EDITING SUITES. WE HOST TWO PUBLIC OPEN STUDIOS EVENTS ANNUALLY, IN ADDITION TO PRIVATE STUDIO VISITS WITH CURATORS, CRITICS, AND GALLERISTS, ALL PROVIDING THE RESIDENTS WITH INVALUABLE EXPOSURE AT AN IMPORTANT POINT IN THE ARTISTS CAREERS.
- #2 $60KART READY EDUCATION PROGRAM SMACK MELLON'S EDUCATION PROGRAM, ART READY, CONNECTS UNDERSERVED NYC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH NYC'S MOST INNOVATIVE AND INSPIRING CULTURAL MAKERS INCLUDING PAINTERS, SCULPTORS, FILM AND VIDEO ARTISTS, GRAPHIC AND WEB DESIGNERS, AND ARCHITECTS. ART READY PAIRS THE STUDENTS WITH PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS WHO SERVE AS THEIR MENTORS THROUGH THE PROGRAM. ARTIST MENTORS PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL AND CREATIVE GUIDANCE, TUTOR STUDENTS IN THEIR CREATIVE PROCESS, INTRODUCE THEM TO NEW WAYS OF WORKING, AND ENCOURAGE CRITICAL REFLECTION. THE PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Art Ready Education Program
Mentorship program pairing underserved NYC high school students with professional artists. Includes studio visits, field trips, portfolio workshops, and a culminating exhibition. Provided free of charge to participants.
Artist Studio Program
Eleven-month residency providing six selected artists with private studios, fellowships, access to fabrication shops and media labs, and opportunities for curator and critic studio visits. Includes two annual Open Studio events for public engagement.
Exhibition Program
Presents solo and group exhibitions in Smack Mellon’s galleries, focusing on experimental, technology-based, and boundary-pushing practices by artists without gallery representation in New York. Offers critical exposure and technical support for ambitious new works.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Facility Accessibility Improvements 1 activity
- Accessibility and Facility ImprovementsOperates a permanent facility in a renovated 1880s boiler house, with ADA-compliant features including an elevator and automatic doors, to ensure accessibility for artists, visitors, and program participants.
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Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
- Art Ready Mentorship ProgramRuns an eight-month after-school mentorship program for underserved NYC public high school students, pairing them with professional artist mentors for studio visits, field trips, portfolio workshops, and culminating in a public exhibition of student work at Smack Mellon’s gallery.
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Artist Studio Residency ProgramProvides six NYC-based early-career visual artists annually with free private studio space for eleven months, 24/7 access to shared production facilities including a digital lab and fabrication shop, a stipend, and professional development opportunities such as curator visits and public open studios.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Exhibition Program for Under-Recognized ArtistsOrganizes solo and group exhibitions in a 3,000-square-foot gallery space, prioritizing under-recognized, emerging, and mid-career artists, often presenting their first major solo exhibition in New York City, with free public admission and programming including artist talks and curator-led walkthroughs.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Fundraising Events and Benefit ProgramsOrganizes annual fundraising events including the Gravity Racers Benefit Party and Art Auction, Kentucky Derby Party and Art Auction (2013–2019), and spring benefit events to support artist programs and operations.
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Equitable Access Admission Programs 1 activity
- Guided Tours and Educational AccessOffers free general admission Wednesday through Sunday and provides guided tours for the public and discounted tours for K–12 school groups, led by staff or artists, to support educational access to exhibitions and public programs.
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Art Appreciation and Public Engagement 1 activity
- Public Programming and Community EngagementHosts a range of public programs including Open Studios events twice annually, family art workshops, experimental music performances, film screenings with director Q&As, live performance art, curator-led walkthroughs, and themed discussions on topics such as collective mourning and resistance.
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Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Venue Rentals and Private EventsHosts private events and rentals in its gallery space, accommodating up to 200 standing guests, with rental packages including seating, tables, and beverage service options for groups of various sizes.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Artist Promotion and Visibility InitiativesFeatures artists not selected for the residency through the Hot Picks program, showcasing finalists on its website and social media for one year to increase visibility and professional exposure.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$735K
Contributions & grants$683K93%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$52K
expenses
Total expenses$791K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$189K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$650K
Cash$229K
Investments$0
Liabilities$75K
Net assets$575K
Liquid reserves3.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +0.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 10
- CECILE CHONG — CO-CHAIR
- CHRISTINE TRENT PARKER — VICE PRESIDE
- ELANA HERZOG — BOARD MEMBER
- GABRIEL DE GUZMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- JENNIFER MCGREGOR — BOARD MEMBER
- LINDA NAGAOKA — SECRETARY
- MICHAEL STEINBERG — BOARD MEMBER
- NILOO SOBHANI STEELE — BOARD MEMBER
- PAUL YOOK — TREASURER
- WARD SHELLEY — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 72
Who they work with
- Andrius Alvarez-Backus Partner — Featured artist in the 2025 exhibition "Meet Me in the Middle".
- Art in DUMBO Partner — Collaborates on public programming such as the First Thursday art tours.
- Artist & Craftsman Supply Partner — Provides in-kind donations and services to Smack Mellon.
- Bartelby and Sage Partner — Preferred catering vendor for events at Smack Mellon
- Ben Carlin Partner — Preferred DJ for events at Smack Mellon
- Blanc et Rouge Partner — Preferred provider of wines and spirits for events at Smack Mellon
- Blick Art Materials Partner — Provides in-kind donations and services to Smack Mellon.
- Brooklyn College Partner — Institutional collaboration through Kathleen Gilrain, who is an Adjunct Professor at Brooklyn College.
- Brooktech Partner — Preferred audiovisual and lighting vendor for events at Smack Mellon
- Cecile Chong Partner — Artist and Board Co-Chair who participated in Art Ready as a mentor and presented a solo exhibition at Smack Mellon.
- Comparti Partner — Preferred catering vendor for events at Smack Mellon
- Condé Nast Partner — Client for photo and film shoots at Smack Mellon's venue
- Dish Food & Events Partner — Preferred catering vendor for events at Smack Mellon
- Downtown Brooklyn Partnership Partner — Partner in the Downtown Brooklyn + Dumbo Art Fund, which supported accessibility improvements.
- Dumbo Improvement District Partner — Partner in the Downtown Brooklyn + Dumbo Art Fund, which supported accessibility improvements.
- Elle Magazine Partner — Client for photo and film shoots at Smack Mellon's venue
- Facebook Partner — Follows Smack Mellon on Facebook for updates and outreach.
- HBO Partner — Client for photo and film shoots at Smack Mellon's venue
- Instagram Partner — Follows Smack Mellon on Instagram for updates and outreach.
- Jennifer Dalton Partner — Artist who participated in the Artist Studio residency, presented a solo exhibition, and served on the Board.
- Jerome Foundation Funder — Foundation funder of the Artist Studio Program
- Jerome Foundation Funder — Supporter of the Smack Mellon Artist Studio Program.
- Jerome Foundation Funder — Supports Smack Mellon's programs.
- Luminous Designs Partner — Preferred audiovisual and lighting vendor for events at Smack Mellon
- Madjeen Isaac Partner — Alumni artist who participated in education and residency programs, served as a mentor, and presented a solo exhibition.
- Materials for the Arts Partner — Provider of in-kind donations and services
- Materials for the Arts Partner — Provides in-kind donations and services to Smack Mellon.
- Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation Inc. Funder — Foundation funder of the Artist Studio Program
- Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation Inc. Funder — Supporter of the Smack Mellon Artist Studio Program.
- NBC Universal Partner — Client for photo and film shoots at Smack Mellon's venue
+ 42 more
strategies · 5
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.
- Artist-First Model with Equity-Centered Accessmethodology: equity-focused_artist_supportBy prioritizing underrepresented artists—especially women, artists of color, and those without commercial representation—in exhibition and studio opportunities, we increase equity in the art world because systemic barriers to recognition and sustainability are directly addressed through targeted inclusion and resource access.
- Curatorial Framework for Social Explorationmethodology: curatorial-partnership-for-social-engagementBy using science fiction and fact/fiction boundaries as a curatorial lens and collaborating with artists on experimental practices, we enable critical engagement with social and political issues because imaginative frameworks allow for deeper reflection and discourse on complex realities.
- Experiential Learning Through Artist Mentorshipmethodology: mentorship-based_experiential_learningBy immersing high school students in professional visual arts practice through direct mentorship and engagement with artists and institutions, we foster meaningful learning because hands-on, relational experiences build skills and confidence more effectively than passive instruction.
- Inclusive Public Engagement Modelmethodology: inclusive_accessibilityBy offering free, open access to exhibitions and ensuring physical and social inclusivity, we promote broader public engagement with contemporary art because removing economic, physical, and social barriers enables diverse audiences to participate without exclusion.
- Long-Term Holistic Support for Sustainable Artistic Practicemethodology: holistic_artist_supportBy providing free studio space, technical resources, professional mentorship, and public exhibition opportunities, we enable artists to develop sustainable practices because integrated infrastructure support reduces financial barriers and increases professional visibility and career longevity.