irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $16KCOMMUNITY ARTS AND POTTERY STUDIO - CAPS OFFERS A DIVERSE RANGE OF INDEPTH ART INSTRUCTION, RANGING FROM PAINTING AND POTTERY TO JEWELRY DESIGN.
- #2 $16KTHE COUNCIL'S SOUTHERN TIER BIENNIAL EVENT ALLOWS ARTISTS IN THE SOUTHERN TIER TO EXPERIENCE A JURIED ART COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION BIENNIALLY. THIS SHOWCASES THE VITALITY AND DIVERSITY OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS IN NEW YORK STATE'S SOUTHERN TIER REGION.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Artisan Market
Showcases and sells works by regional artisans; winners of juried shows receive membership to participate
Arts Enrichment Classes
Provides free art workshops for high school students and community residents, often hosted at local libraries
Community Art (Mural) Program
Engages professional artists to create large-scale murals on local buildings
Community Arts and Pottery Studio (CAPS)
Offers in-depth art instruction in painting, pottery, and jewelry design for regional residents
Southern Tier Biennial
Juried art competition and exhibition held every two years to showcase contemporary artists from New York's Southern Tier region
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 4 activities
- Hosts juried exhibitions and art competitionsOrganizes the biennial Southern Tier Biennial, a juried exhibition and competition showcasing contemporary artists from New York's Southern Tier region, as well as annual juried shows like "A Little Something Small" at the Peg Bothner Gallery, which awards cash prizes and Artisan Memberships to winning artists.
- Hosts the Ellicottville Fine Art & Craft ShowOrganizes an annual juried fine art and craft show in Ellicottville, NY, featuring local artists and craftspeople, held at the 1887 building on 1 Washington Street/Route 219. The 2026 event is scheduled for September 5–6 from 10 AM to 5 PM.
- Maintains public office and communication outreachOperates public office hours at 110 West State St in Olean, NY, Wednesday through Saturday, and disseminates information to the community via a quarterly newsletter, biweekly emails, and three websites. Members receive invitations to art openings and access to community art events.
- Operates public art and mural programsImplements a community mural program that commissions professional artists to create large-scale murals on public and institutional buildings, including a planned project at the Library and Liberal Arts Center on the Jamestown Community College Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean, NY.
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Art Museum Funding and Support 1 activity
- Administers regional grant funding for arts organizationsAdministers the NYSCA Decentralization Program on behalf of New York State, distributing thousands of dollars annually to small arts and cultural organizations across the tri-county region to support local arts initiatives.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Offers community arts instruction and studio accessProvides in-depth art classes in painting, pottery, and jewelry design through its Community Arts and Pottery Studio program, including offerings for adults, students, and high school enrichment. Studio members receive access during designated hours, and members benefit from class discounts. The organization also expanded pottery and studio facilities in Allegany in 2011.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Presents annual COTA Awards for arts achievementPresents the annual COTA Awards to recognize excellence in the regional arts, including the Distinguished Artist of the Year, Thomas Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award, Excellence in Arts Education (one per county), Volunteer of the Year (one per county), and Program of the Year (one per county).
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Artist Marketplace Operations 1 activity
- Runs an artisan market and gallery exhibitionsOperates a retail space and artisan market where regional artisans can sell their work, sponsors multiple artist exhibitions in its gallery—including solo and dual-artist shows such as Barbara Fox’s “An Artistic Journey” and “Natural Connection” by Denise Drummond and Joseph Grice—and curates exhibitions like “The Shape of Clay” to promote regional ceramic artists.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$207K
Contributions & grants$148K71%
Program service revenue$55K27%
Investment income$3K1%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$217K
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$111K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$303K
Cash$62K
Investments$74K
Liabilities$210K
Net assets$93K
Liquid reserves7.5 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -14.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Megan Davis | E.D. 2/1-12/31 | 50 | $54K |
| Paula Bernstein | E.D. 1/1-1/31 | 55 | $8K |
board members · 12
- Amanda Langan — Director
- Barbara Fox — Director
- Barry Goodwin — Director
- Betsy Gingerich — Director
- Clayton Silvernail — Secretary
- Eliana Al-humadi — Director
- Eric Van Druff — Director
- Jan Comstock — Director
- Jason Dilworth — Director
- Julie Hamilton — Vice President
- Lizbeth Matz — Treasurer
- Scott Reed — President
relationships · 28
Who they work with
- Cattaraugus Regional Community Foundation Funder — Provides funding through its Visual Arts Alliance Endowment Fund and Beautification Fund for Olean Community.
- Cattaraugus Regional Community Foundation Partner — Co-presents the Southern Tier Biennial with the Tri-County Arts Council.
- Cutco Foundation Funder — Contributed $5,000 as a Mural Benefactor for the Heart of Olean Mural project.
- Dina’s of Ellicottville Partner — Silver level sponsor of Tri-County Arts Council
- Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce Partner — Co-presents the Ellicottville Fine Art Show with the Tri-County Arts Council.
- Ellicotville Fine Art & Craft Show Partner — Hosts the Ellicotville Fine Art & Craft Show.
- Facebook Partner — Follows and shares content on Facebook
- Griffis Sculpture Park Partner — Recognized through the Program of the Year award for its NIGHT LIGHTS program in Cattaraugus County.
- Guenther Funeral Home Partner — Silver level sponsor of Tri-County Arts Council
- Instagram Partner — Shares content on Instagram
- Jamestown Community College Cattaraugus County Campus Partner — Hosts the Heart of Olean Mural on its Library and Liberal Arts Center building.
- Kumbha Moon Soap Partner — Silver level sponsor of Tri-County Arts Council
- LinkedIn Partner — Shares organizational updates on LinkedIn
- Meg Saligman Murals Partner — Collaborates with world-renowned muralist Meg Saligman on the Heart of Olean Mural project.
- NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University Government — Glenn Zweygardt, Professor Emeritus of Sculpture at the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University, served as a juror for the 2025 Southern Tier Biennial.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Administers the NYSCA Decentralization Program on behalf of New York State, distributing grant funds to local arts organizations.
- Olean Area Chamber of Commerce Partner — Partnership formed to increase visibility and recognition of the Tri-County Arts Council.
- Olean Local Development Corporation (OLDC) Partner — Supported the Heart of Olean Mural project as an Artist Benefactor.
- Olean Meditation Center Partner — Gold level sponsor of Tri-County Arts Council
- Palmer Opera House Partner — Recognized as Program of the Year in Allegany County.
- PennWest Edinboro Government — Maria Ferguson, Director of the Bruce Gallery and adjunct professor at PennWest Edinboro, served as a juror for the 2025 Southern Tier Biennial.
- Pfeiffer Nature Center Partner — Bronze level sponsor of Tri-County Arts Council
- Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure Univ. Partner — Gold level sponsor of Tri-County Arts Council
- SUNY Fredonia Government — Juror Barbara Räcker, Director/Curator of the Cathy and Jesse Marion Art Gallery at SUNY Fredonia, participated in the 2025 Southern Tier Biennial jury panel.
- Southern Tier Symphony Partner — Silver level sponsor of Tri-County Arts Council
- Sukanya Burman Dance Partner — Recognized as Program of the Year in Chautauqua County.
- Tina Dillon Realty Partner — Silver level sponsor of Tri-County Arts Council
- Twitter Partner — Shares content on Twitter
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.
- Capacity Building Through Skills Transfermethodology: local_artist_capacity_buildingBy training local artists in professional techniques and best practices, the organization increases local capability for self-sustaining public art and creative initiatives, because skill development empowers artists to lead future projects and expand the reach of the regional arts network.
- Community-Engaged Arts Ecosystem Developmentmethodology: regional_artist_ecosystem_developmentBy integrating arts education, exhibition opportunities, and economic support for regional artists, the organization strengthens the local creative economy and fosters sustained community engagement, because participation across multiple touchpoints builds both individual capacity and collective cultural identity.
- Creative Placemaking for Community Revitalizationmethodology: creative_placemakingBy restoring historic buildings and commissioning collaborative public art, the organization drives civic engagement and regional revitalization, because physical transformation of shared spaces fosters community pride, attracts public participation, and demonstrates the tangible economic and social value of the arts.