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AMERICAN ABSTRACT ARTISTS INC

BREWSTER, NY · EIN 844920801 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · NTEE A03 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Micro (<$100K) · americanabstractartists.org
revenue
$25K
expenses
$39K
net assets
$72K
employees
mission · from form 990

AMERICAN ABSTRACT ARTISTS ORGANIZATION CONTRIBUTES TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF ABSTRACT ART IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

profile · synthesized from sources

Professional association supporting abstract artists in the United States through exhibitions, publications, and public programs. Founded in 1936, it promotes the development and understanding of abstract art by organizing member shows, producing print portfolios, and maintaining a historical archive. The organization highlights both historic and contemporary practitioners, with a focus on advancing recognition of abstract art.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Annual and Thematic Exhibitions
Organizes member exhibitions such as 'ON BALANCE' and 'Future Proof' at galleries in New York and beyond, often curated to explore specific themes in abstract art
Blurring Boundaries: The Women Of AAA
Traveling exhibition curated by Rebecca DiGiovanna highlighting the contributions of women members from 1936 to the present
Digital Prints and Print Portfolios
Produces limited-edition digital prints and monoprints, including the 75th Anniversary Print Portfolio, showcasing member artists' work
Online Exhibitions
Hosts digital exhibitions such as 'Groundings' and 'Stripes—the whole idea' to present member work in virtual formats
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
    • Organizing and presenting exhibitions of abstract art
      Plans, organizes, and presents exhibitions of abstract artworks by members and guest artists, both nationally and internationally, including annual exhibitions, anniversary retrospectives, traveling shows, and online exhibitions. Exhibitions have been hosted at galleries, museums, universities, embassies, and alternative spaces across the United States and in countries including France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Mexico.
  • Professional Conference & Symposium Organization 1 activity
    • Providing theoretical and educational forums for abstract art
      Conducts publishing initiatives, panels, lectures, symposia, and discussions to support abstract art theoretically and foster critical dialogue in the United States. These include major events such as the symposium "Abstract Art Around the World Today" at MoMA and ongoing public programming since 1937.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Advocating for the development and acceptance of abstract art
      Advances the recognition and legitimacy of abstract art in the United States, contributing to the emergence of movements such as Abstract Expressionism and the New York School. The organization has played a foundational role in promoting abstraction as a significant artistic language since its founding in 1936.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$25K
Contributions & grants$18K72%
Program service revenue
Investment income$70%
Other revenue
expenses
Total expenses$39K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits
Grants paid out
balance sheet
Total assets$72K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$72K
5 years on record · 2021–2025 · YoY revenue +97.4%
relationships · 88

Who they work with

  • 1285 Avenue of the Americas Gallery Partner — Hosted the exhibition "The Onward of Art" in 2016
  • Abrons Arts Center Partner — Co-hosted the exhibition "Visible Histories" in 2016
  • Albright-Knox Art Gallery Partner — Hosted an exhibition of works from the American Abstract Artists permanent collection.
  • Aragonese Castle of Otranto Partner — Hosted the exhibition "American Abstract Artists International: L’astrazione vista da un cosmopolita" in Otranto, Italy in 2010.
  • Aragonese Castle of Otranto Partner — Hosted the international exhibition "L’astrazione vista da un cosmopolita" in 2010
  • Art Cake Partner — Hosted the exhibition "ON BALANCE" featuring works by American Abstract Artists.
  • Art Museum, University of New Mexico Partner — Hosted an exhibition by American Abstract Artists in 1977.
  • ArtNews Partner — Source of a 2011 exhibition review cited by the organization.
  • Betty Parsons Gallery Partner — Co-hosted the exhibition "American Abstract Artists: Language of Abstraction" in 1979.
  • Biggin Gallery Partner — Hosted the "AAA 75th Anniversary Print Portfolio" exhibition in 2016
  • Brattleboro Museum and Art Center Partner — Hosted the exhibition "Dynamic Invention: American Abstract Artists at 75" in 2013
  • Bronx Museum of the Arts Partner — Co-organized exhibitions including 'A Living Tradition' and the 50th Anniversary Celebration.
  • Bronx Museum of the Arts Partner — Hosted a 50th Anniversary exhibition in 1986.
  • Center for the Arts Gallery Partner — Hosted the "Fluid: A 75th American Abstract Artists Anniversary Exhibition" at Towson University in 2011
  • Center for the Arts Gallery, Towson University Partner — Hosted a 75th Anniversary exhibition in 2011.
  • City Gallery, Department of Cultural Affairs Partner — Hosted multiple AAA exhibitions, including 'Abstraction in Action' and a 1987 members' show.
  • City Gallery, Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City Partner — Hosted a 50th Anniversary Print Portfolio exhibition in 1987.
  • Clara M. Eagle Gallery Partner — Hosted the exhibition "Blurring Boundaries: The Women Of AAA" in 2018
  • Condeso/Lawler Gallery Partner — Hosted a 50th Anniversary Print Portfolio exhibition in 1987.
  • Delaware Center for Contemporary Art Partner — Hosted a 75th Anniversary exhibition in 2011.
  • Delaware Center for Contemporary Art Partner — Hosted the "Fluid: A 75th American Abstract Artists Anniversary Exhibition" in 2011
  • Deutscher Künstlerbund Partner — Co-hosted the "American Abstract Artists International / 75th Anniversary" exhibition in Berlin in 2011
  • Deutscher Künstlerbund Partner — Cosponsored the "American Abstract Artists International / 75th Anniversary" exhibition in Berlin, Germany in 2011.
  • Downtown Gallery Partner — Hosted the "AAA 75th Anniversary Print Portfolio" exhibition in 2013
  • Edwin A Ulrich Museum of Art Partner — Hosted the exhibition "The Persistence of Abstraction: American Abstract Artists".
  • Ewing Gallery Partner — Co-hosted the exhibition "Blurring Boundaries: The Women Of AAA" in 2018
  • Fairleigh Dickinson University Partner — Hosted an exhibition by American Abstract Artists at its Library Gallery in 1972.
  • Five Myles Gallery Partner — Hosted the exhibition "Endless, Entire" in 2015
  • Galerie oqbo Partner — Co-hosted the "American Abstract Artists International / 75th Anniversary" exhibition in Berlin in 2011
  • Galerie oqbo Partner — Cosponsored the "American Abstract Artists International / 75th Anniversary" exhibition in Berlin, Germany in 2011.
+ 58 more
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.

  • Abstraction as Autonomous Pictorial Reality
    methodology: abstraction-as-pictorial-reality
    We promote abstraction not as representation but as the creation of self-sustaining pictorial realities through form and color, because this theoretical framing distinguishes non-objective art as a legitimate and profound mode of aesthetic inquiry.
  • Artist-Led Intellectual and Creative Community Building
    methodology: artist-led_movement_building
    By fostering artist-led forums for exhibition, publication, and dialogue, we sustain the development of abstract art, because peer-driven discourse and pluralistic inclusion promote experimentation, authentic expression, and resistance to commercial or sensationalist pressures.
  • Exhibition-Based Advocacy and Visibility
    methodology: exhibition-based_advocacy
    By organizing curated exhibitions—both physical and online—we increase public understanding and visibility of abstract art, because direct engagement with artwork fosters recognition, continuity, and legitimacy for non-objective artistic practice.