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CLAY ART CENTER INC
PORT CHESTER, NY · EIN 204611534 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A25 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · clayartcenter.org
revenue
$1.9M
expenses
$1.9M
net assets
$983K
employees
18
volunteers
115
program ratio
75%
mission · from form 990

CLAY ART CENTER IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATION, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH CLAY BY PROVIDING AN INCLUSIVE SPACE FOR LEARNING, STUDIO PRACTICE, EXHIBITIONS, PERSONAL GROWTH, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN CERAMIC ARTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Clay Art Center is a nonprofit arts organization in Port Chester, New York dedicated to ceramic arts education, studio access, and community engagement. It offers educational programs, studio space for emerging and established artists, an artist-in-residence program, and exhibitions showcasing ceramic works. The center fosters creativity and professional development in ceramics through hands-on learning and public events.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $166K
    STUDIO ART PROGRAM: THE CENTER OFFERS ACCESS TO PRIVATE AND SHARED STUDIO SPACE FOR ARTISTS TO CONTINUE WORKING IN A COMMUNITY SETTING. ASSOCIATE ARTISTS HAVE ACCESS TO GLAZING AND FIRING FACILITIES. THE ARTIST, ONCE JURIED IN BY A PEER ARTIST COMMITTEE, PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEING A PART OF A VIBRANT COMMUNITY. THE CENTER'S STUDIOS ARE A PLACE WHERE CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT FLOURISH. ALL ARTISTS MUST DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO ASSIST WITH THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OTHER STUDIO CHORES. THE STUDIOS ARE WELL EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC WHEELS, EXTRUDERS, SLAB ROLLERS, PUG MILLS, ELECTRICK, AND GAS KILNS AND A COMMON, WELL STOCKED GLAZE AREA. EACH ARTIST HAS UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE CENTER'S FACILITIES. RESIDENCY PROGRAM: THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY PROGRAM BEGINS EACH SEPTEMBER AND IS AWARDED ANNUALLY TO THREE BACHELOR AND MASTERS OF FINE ARTS (BFA/MFA) GRADUATES. IT IS DESIGNED FOR EMERGING ARTISTS WHO NEED TIME AND SPACE TO DEVELOP THEIR VOICE. THEY GAIN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE TEACHING CLASSES AND CONTRIBUTE THEIR TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE BY MANAGING MANY JOBS AT THE STUDIO. RESIDENTS RECEIVE PRIVATE STUDIO SPACE, FULL ACCESS TO THE STUDIO'S FACILITIES AND A SHOW IN THE GALLERY AT THE END OF THE RESIDENCY.
  2. #2 $208K
    EXHIBITIONS: THE FOCUS OF THE GALLERY IS DEDICATED TO EXHIBITING CERAMICS; TO SHOWCASE THE WORK OF EMERGING AND UNDER RECOGNIZED, MID CAREER AND MATURE ARTISTS. ANNUALLY, THERE ARE JURIED SOLO AND GROUP INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS FEATURING EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED ARTISTS. THE SHOP AT THE CENTER HIGHLIGHTS HANDMADE POTTERY AND OBJECTS FOR THE HOME BY THE CENTER'S ARTISTS AND INVITED GUESTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE ANNUAL CLAY ARTS CENTER ARTIST HOLIDAY SHOW HAS BECOME KNOWN AS THE SHOWCASE FOR HANDMADE CERAMICS IN THE COUNTY, WHILE RISING STARTS ANNUAL STUDENT EXHIBITION FEATURES TALENT FROM THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Artist-in-Residence Program
Annual residency for three BFA/MFA graduates providing private studio space, full facility access, teaching experience, and a gallery exhibition at the end of the term
Educational Programs
Weekly clay classes, workshops, and drop-in sessions for adults and students, including summer sessions and themed projects
Empty Bowls Fundraiser
Annual community event where potters create bowls for public sale, with proceeds supporting the center’s programs
Exhibitions Program
Annual juried and invitational exhibitions featuring emerging and established ceramic artists, including solo shows, group exhibitions, and student showcases
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 2 activities
    • Artist Residencies and Fellowships
      Provides year-long residencies for emerging artists, including private studio space, full access to facilities, teaching experience, professional development, and a gallery exhibition. The program supports three BFA/MFA graduates annually.
    • Studio Access for Working Artists
      Offers shared and private studio spaces with full access to ceramic equipment and facilities for over 50 juried artists, who contribute to educational programs and studio operations.
  • Artist Legacy Preservation and Documentation 1 activity
    • Archival and Curatorial Programming
      Produces presentations and public programs on its institutional archive, led by a curator and archivist, to document and share the organization’s history and ceramic art legacy.
  • Artist Marketplace Operations 1 activity
    • Art Sales and Retail Operations
      Operates a gallery and shop that sells original handmade ceramics by regional and nationally recognized artists, as well as organizational merchandise including apparel and accessories.
  • Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
    • Ceramics Education Programs
      Offers weekly classes, seasonal workshops, private lessons, and independent study programs in handbuilding, wheel-throwing, and sculptural techniques for adults and youth of all skill levels.
  • Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
    • Community Arts and School Partnerships
      Provides free and low-cost ceramics instruction, scholarships, and public mosaic art projects for students and community groups through partnerships with schools, assisted living facilities, and social service organizations in Port Chester and Westchester County.
  • Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
    • Exhibitions and Public Events
      Hosts annual juried solo and group exhibitions, student showcases, and public events—including virtual and in-person gallery shows, lectures, and demonstrations—featuring emerging and established ceramic artists, with emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
  • Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
    • Special Fundraising Events
      Organizes and executes annual benefit events, including Empty Bowls fundraisers and pottery sales, to support organizational programs and community access.
  • Volunteer-Supported Arts & Cultural Operations 1 activity
    • Work Exchange and Volunteer Programs
      Offers a work exchange program providing up to 50% tuition credit in return for studio labor and engages volunteers in studio maintenance, event support, teaching assistance, marketing, and database management.
  • Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
    • Youth and Teen Summer Camps
      Hosts weekly, instructor-led summer camps for youth ages 7–15 focusing on handbuilding, wheel-throwing, glazing, and firing, operating from mid-July to late August.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.90M
Contributions & grants$684K36%
Program service revenue$1.16M61%
Investment income$20K1%
Other revenue$39K
expenses
Total expenses$1.90M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$837K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.06M
Cash$692K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2.08M
Net assets$983K
Liquid reserves4.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +11.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 6
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
EMILY PECK EXECUTIVE DI 40 $121K
ROSE FOLEY SEE SCHEDULE O MEMBER 3 $802
SALLY NG-BRIGGS SEE SCHEDULE O PRESIDENT 3 $715
CLAIRE COHEN SEE SCHEDULE O MEMBER 3 $472
DEBORAH HEID SEE SCHEDULE O MEMBER 3 $292
EARLENE HARDIE COX SEE SCHEDULE O MEMBER 3 $150
board members · 6
  • CAROL CHEVLOWE — MEMBER
  • DAVID FISCH — MEMBER
  • EMMA MCKEE — SECRETARY
  • JESSICA BERKOWITZ — MEMBER
  • LAURA MACKENZIE — VICE PRESIDE
  • MICHAEL CARTER — TREASURER
relationships · 37

Who they work with

  • AMACO Brent Partner — Sponsors Clay Art Center at the Porcelain level
  • Allan Block Insurance Partner — Sponsors Clay Art Center at the Earthenware level
  • ArtsWestchester Funder — Grantee of ArtsWestchester, receiving funding supported by Westchester County Government
  • ArtsWestchester Funder — Provides support to Clay Art Center with funds from the Westchester County Government
  • Assisted living facilities in Westchester County Partner — Partners with assisted living facilities to provide ceramic arts as a tool for healing and self-expression.
  • Claudia Miller Partner — Successor to Henry Okamoto and sculptor who helped establish the center’s artistic presence through the Summer Workshop Festival and gallery
  • Common Sense Fund Funder — Funds programs at Clay Art Center
  • Common Sense Fund Funder — Supported by the Common Sense Fund
  • Community groups in Westchester County Partner — Works with community groups to extend access to ceramic arts for underserved populations.
  • Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation Funder — Supported by the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation
  • Elsbeth Woody Partner — Successor to Henry Okamoto and potter who initiated the Summer Workshop Festival and opened a gallery dedicated to ceramics
  • Flinn Gallery Partner — Collaborates on a shared cultural experience and culture tour with Flinn Gallery and Greenwich Historical Society.
  • Flinn Gallery Partner — Collaborates on curator-led tours for joint exhibitions, such as Performative Stories.
  • Greenwich Historical Society Partner — Collaborates on a shared cultural experience and culture tour with Greenwich Historical Society and Flinn Gallery.
  • Harney & Sons Partner — Collaborated on an in-person tea tasting event hosted at Clay Art Center on September 14, 2021.
  • Henry Okamoto Partner — Co-founder and master potter who continued Katherine Choy's legacy at Clay Art Center
  • JWI Group Insurance Agency Partner — Sponsors Clay Art Center at the Earthenware level
  • Katherine Choy Partner — Co-founder of Clay Art Center and leader of the Newcomb pottery aesthetic
  • Mid-America Arts Alliance Funder — Supported by Mid-America Arts Alliance
  • Mid-America Arts Alliance Partner — Administers Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, which fund programs at Clay Art Center
  • National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Provides Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants through Mid-America Arts Alliance to support Clay Art Center programs
  • New Orleans Museum of Art Partner — Collaborated on an exhibition and programming related to Katherine Choy's work.
  • New York State Council for the Arts Funder — Receives funding from the New York State Council for the Arts
  • New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provides support to Clay Art Center
  • Reena Kashyap Partner — Director who strengthened programs and advanced the mission of Clay Art Center beginning in 1997
  • Ruth Berelson Partner — Associate Director who worked with Reena Kashyap to strengthen programs and advance the mission of Clay Art Center beginning in 1997
  • Schools in Port Chester Partner — Collaborates with schools to deliver ceramic arts programs to individuals who may not otherwise have access.
  • Skutt Ceramic Products, Inc. Partner — Sponsors Clay Art Center at the Earthenware level
  • Social service organizations in Port Chester Partner — Collaborates with social service organizations to offer free and low-cost ceramic arts programs and scholarships.
  • TD Bank Partner — Sponsors Clay Art Center at the Porcelain level
+ 7 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.

  • Arts Access for Underserved Populations through Community Partnerships
    methodology: arts_access_for_all
    By delivering ceramic arts education through partnerships with schools, assisted living facilities, and community-based organizations, the organization increases access for underserved populations because embedding programs within trusted local institutions reduces participation barriers and expands reach.
  • Community-Based Studio Model with Peer Contribution
    methodology: community_based_studio_model
    By using a peer-juried, community-based studio model where artists contribute labor and teaching in exchange for access, the organization fosters shared responsibility, reduces barriers to participation, and deepens community engagement because mutual investment strengthens ownership and sustainability.
  • Hands-On Ceramic Education as Disconnection and Creative Engagement
    methodology: creative_disconnection
    By offering hands-on ceramic arts education, the organization helps children and teens unplug from digital devices and engage in tactile, creative experiences because physical interaction with clay fosters mindfulness, focus, and developmental growth in ways digital environments cannot.