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Aesthetic Realism Foundation Inc
New York, NY · EIN 510179690 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A77Z · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M)
revenue
$432K
expenses
$493K
net assets
$3.7M
employees
18
volunteers
41
program ratio
77%
mission · from form 990

TO TEACH AESTHETIC REALISM, FOUNDED BY ELI SIEGEL, WHICH EXPLAINS THE RELATION OF LIFE AND ART, AND MEETS THE NEED OF PEOPLE EVERYWHERE TO SEE REALITY FAIRLY.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Aesthetic Realism Foundation teaches Aesthetic Realism, a philosophy founded by Eli Siegel that connects art and life through the principle of reconciling opposites. It operates through public seminars, artistic presentations, and educational outreach programs focused on ethics, anti-prejudice, and self-respect. The organization runs the Terrain Gallery and the Aesthetic Realism Theatre Company, offering exhibitions and performances grounded in its foundational principles.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $32K
    TERRAIN GALLERY: EXHIBITIONS OF CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS, PRINTS, AND PHOTOGRAPHY BASED ON THE AESTHETIC REALISM PRINCIPLE: "ALL BEAUTY IS A MAKING ONE OF OPPOSITES, AND THE MAKING ONE OF OPPOSITES IS WHAT WE ARE GOING AFTER IN OURSELVES." TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 817
  2. #2 $15K
    AESTHETIC REALISM CONSULTATIONS: MEN AND WOMEN STUDY THE PRINCIPLES OF AESTHETIC REALISM WHICH SHOW THE RELATION OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL LIFE QUESTIONS TO THE ARTS AND THE WORLD THEY ARE IN, MAKING FOR GREATER KINDNESS AND SELF-RESPECT. EXPENSES INCLUDE SALARIES OF CONSULTANTS, PARTIAL SALARY OF A COORDINATOR, EQUIPMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND OFFICE SUPPLIES. TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 133.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Aesthetic Realism Consultations
One-on-one sessions where individuals study how Aesthetic Realism applies to personal life issues, aiming to increase self-respect and kindness; served 133 people in 2024
Outreach Program
Workshops for children and seniors in schools and community centers, including anti-prejudice and anti-bullying education, offered in English and Spanish
Presentations and Theatre Productions
Public seminars and performances by the Aesthetic Realism Theatre Company on themes including love, anger, and ambition, using dramatic and musical works from Shakespeare to rock 'n' roll
Terrain Gallery Exhibitions
Exhibits contemporary visual art based on the Aesthetic Realism principle that beauty arises from the unity of opposites; reported 817 attendees in 2024
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Conducting outreach programs
      Conducts outreach programs offering workshops for seniors and children, dramatic and musical performances, educational talks, and anti-prejudice and anti-bullying workshops, with attendance ranging from 551 to 820 across 2021–2023.
  • Post-Performance Audience Engagement 1 activity
    • Hosting public seminars and performances
      Hosts public seminars and dramatic and musical presentations based on Aesthetic Realism principles, covering topics such as love, anger, ambition, and parenting, and including theatrical productions ranging from Shakespeare to rock 'n' roll, with 360 attendees in 2020.
  • Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
    • Operating the Terrain Gallery
      Operates the Terrain Gallery, hosting exhibitions of contemporary paintings, drawings, prints, and photography based on Aesthetic Realism principles, with 817 attendees in 2024.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Providing Aesthetic Realism consultations
      Offers Aesthetic Realism consultations for individuals to study how Aesthetic Realism principles relate to personal life questions, fostering greater kindness and self-respect, with 133 participants in 2024.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$432K
Contributions & grants$190K44%
Program service revenue$134K31%
Investment income$108K25%
Other revenue$630
expenses
Total expenses$493K
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$361K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.69M
Cash$140K
Investments$2.04M
Liabilities$22K
Net assets$3.67M
Liquid reserves53.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -6.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 4
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Barbara Allen Administrative Officer 35 $43K
Carrie Wilson Director 30 $35K
Ernest Defilippis Administrative Officer 30 $35K
Jeffrey Carduner Director 15 $146
board members · 6
  • Anthony Romeo — Director
  • Ellen Reiss — Director
  • Jamie Torres — Secretary
  • Joseph Spetly — Director
  • Margot Carpenter — Executive Director
  • Robert Murphy — Treasurer
strategies · 1

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.

  • Unifying Opposites as Aesthetic and Ethical Framework
    methodology: aesthetic_realism
    By teaching that beauty and fairness arise from the unification of opposites (e.g., self and world, difference and sameness), we help individuals reframe personal and social conflicts, leading to more just and compassionate perspectives because this principle is foundational to both art and ethical living.