named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Art & Synodality
Collaborative project inviting Catholic artists to create works in response to the Global Synod, using visual art, poetry, music, and performance to reflect on faith and church unity.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 2 activities
- Facilitating professional development and career opportunities for Catholic artistsConnects Catholic artists to professional opportunities including job postings, calls for submission, and performances; maintains a blog featuring stories of artists and arts organizations; and provides low-cost personal coaching for career development, focus, strategy, and accountability.
- Maintaining resource directories for Catholic artistsOperates and maintains directories of Catholic artist coaches, arts organizations, parishes, spiritual directors, and other community resources, particularly in New York City, to help artists access support and build relationships.
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Direct Financial Assistance to Individuals 1 activity
- Administering emergency financial assistance for Catholic artists in crisisOperates an Emergency Fund that provides direct financial aid to Catholic artists affected by crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, having distributed over $10,000 to artists in need.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Connecting and supporting Catholic artists through online and in-person community buildingConnects Catholic artists across all disciplines via online resources, weekly artmaking sessions (including sprints and focused work periods), and in-person gatherings such as retreats and local chapter events to reduce isolation and foster faith-centered artistic creation. Hosts weekly 60-minute virtual artmaking sessions with 10 minutes of community chat followed by 50 minutes of focused work.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Distributing a weekly newsletter with opportunities and events for Catholic artistsProduces and distributes a free weekly newsletter that shares job postings, calls for submission, performances, and other events to support collaboration and professional engagement among Catholic artists.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Organizing faith-based artistic projects and exhibitionsDevelops and presents artistic projects that engage Catholic faith and current Church initiatives, such as the Art & Synodality project which featured visual art and poetry created in response to the Global Synod, and produced theatrical works like _Everyman_ through local chapters.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$8K
Contributions & grants$8K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$6K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$73
balance sheet
Total assets$3K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$3K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +92.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emily Claire Schmitt | Executive Director | 10 | $555 |
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- Arthouse2B Partner — Partnered with Arthouse2B for visual and performance art content, including photos of Brick Wall Dance and performer Lola.
- Board of Directors Partner — Oversees the leadership and direction of the Catholic Artist Connection.
- Discerning Deacons Partner — Partnered with The Catholic Artist Connection to provide a communal opportunity for Catholic artists to engage with the Global Synod through art.
- Laura Pittenger Partner — NYC Welcoming Committee Chair who leads local outreach and integration efforts.
- Open Window Theatre Partner — Collaborated with Open Window Theatre to feature their production of _Everyman_ in 2016.
- Pope Leo XIV Government — Cited Pope Leo XIV's encyclical _Magnifica Humanitas_ as inspiration for the organization's mission and values.
- St. John Henry Newman Government — Invoked St. John Henry Newman’s quote about divine service and human connection as reflective of the organization’s purpose.
- St. John Paul II Government — Referenced St. John Paul II’s _Letter to Artists_ as a foundational influence on the organization's vision.
- The Vigil Project Partner — Collaborates with The Vigil Project to offer coaching for Catholic musicians through its Artist Coaching Directory.
- Zoom Partner — Uses Zoom as the platform for hosting weekly artmaking sprints.
- catholicartistconnection@gmail.com Partner — Primary contact point for submitting and inquiring about notices in the newsletter.
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.
- Community-Based Spiritual and Professional Supportmethodology: community_support_for_artistsBy creating hybrid (online and in-person) faith-centered communities with personal connection and authentic communication, the organization reduces isolation and fosters accountability among Catholic artists, because human-to-human and spiritually grounded relationships enhance resilience and creative engagement.
- Faith-Integrated Artistic Vocationmethodology: faith-and-art-integrationBy supporting artists in expressing the Good, True, and Beautiful through their work, the organization fosters spiritual and artistic enrichment, because it views art as a sacred vocation integral to faith life.
- Inclusive Faith-Centered Curation and Accessmethodology: inclusive_curationBy curating opportunities and exhibitions based on relevance to Catholic artists—regardless of the religious affiliation of sponsors—the organization expands access to meaningful artistic engagement, because inclusivity in curation strengthens participation without compromising spiritual identity.