irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $591KCURATORIAL/EXHIBITIONS - THE FOUNDATION'S COLLECTION IS PRESERVED AND CARED FOR BY A TEAM OF ART HANDLERS AND CONSERVATORS AND IS EXHIBITED AT THE CENTER, AMONG OTHER ROTATING VENUES WORLDWIDE. THE COLLECTION IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FOUNDATION'S ACTIVITIES AS IT INSPIRES AND SUPPLEMENTS THE RESEARCH AND ACTIVITIES OF THE FOUNDATION'S ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM AND IS A TOOL FOR ANY WHO VISIT THE CENTER.
- #2 $567KINTERNATIONAL SUMMER PROGRAM - INTERNATIONAL SUMMER PROGRAM CONSISTS OF DAILY WORKSHOPS WITH ROBERT WILSON AND HIS COLLABORATORS THAT FOCUS ON NEW PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT FOR THEATER AND OPERA, INSTALLATION AND EXHIBITION DESIGN, FURNITURE AND FASHION DESIGN, FILM AND VIDEO, LANDSCAPING, AND ARCHITECTURE. THE PARTICIPATING ARTISTS PROVIDED SITE-SPECIFIC INSTALLATIONS AND PERFORMANCES FOR A LARGE OPEN HOUSE, WHICH WAS FREE TO THE PUBLIC. ADDITIONALLY, GUEST LECTURERS SPOKE TO THE ARTISTS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY ON A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS REGARDING SCIENCE AND ARTDURING THE SUMMER LECTURE SERIES SERIES.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Artistic Resources - Library of Inspiration
Provides a comprehensive database of archival materials, library resources, and digital content focused on Robert Wilson, his collaborators, and the foundation’s activities.
Curatorial/Exhibitions
Preserves and exhibits the foundation's art collection at its center and rotating venues worldwide, supporting artist residencies and public engagement.
International Summer Program
Offers workshops with Robert Wilson and collaborators in theater, opera, design, film, and architecture, culminating in public installations and performances.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
-
Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 3 activities
- Hosts annual International Summer Program and Artist Residency ProgramProvides time, space, and resources for 60–100 international artists annually through a four-week summer residency program, offering housing, transportation, studio space, and access to 20,000 square feet of rehearsal and design facilities. Artists develop experimental works across disciplines including theater, dance, visual arts, and performance, with public engagement through open rehearsals, workshops, and artist talks.
- Supports alumni artists through retreats and professional developmentHosts invite-only five-day retreats for alumni artists to research and develop future projects, and engages alumni as teaching artists to lead year-round educational workshops for community members on the East End.
- Supports artistic development through fellowships and project grantsOffers financial and logistical support to emerging and established artists through named fellowships such as the Inga Maren Otto Fellowship (2016–2022) and the Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels fellowship launched in 2025, enabling the creation of new work in visual arts, dance, and interdisciplinary practices.
-
-
Artist Legacy Preservation and Documentation 2 activities
- Preserves and provides access to Robert Wilson’s archives and libraryMaintains a comprehensive database of archives, library resources, and digital materials documenting Robert Wilson’s work, his collaborators, and the Foundation’s activities, supporting research for artists and scholars.
- Stewards and exhibits the Paul Thek archive and collectionMaintains the most comprehensive collection of Paul Thek’s works and papers, preserving and advancing his legacy through exhibitions, research access, and public programming.
-
-
Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 2 activities
- Produces public exhibitions and world-premiere performancesOrganizes and presents world-premiere exhibitions and curated installations by international artists, including site-specific works developed during residencies and performances showcased during the annual Open House and Summer Festival events.
- Provides public access to art-filled grounds and educational resourcesMaintains over ten acres of landscaped, art-filled public grounds open daily for exploration and offers access to a collection of over 8,000 artworks and artifacts, supporting public engagement with art and self-expression.
-
-
Arts Education Professional Development 1 activity
- Delivers arts education programs for students and educatorsProvides school-based workshops, site visits, and STEAM-focused curricula for students of all ages, along with professional development for K–12 educators on integrating the arts into classroom learning, including CTLE-credited training.
-
-
Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosts annual Summer Festival and Open House eventsOrganizes an annual Summer Festival and Open House that feature curated installations, performances, workshops, and public access to galleries, studios, gardens, and grounds, engaging the public with creative works developed by Artists-in-Residence and visiting international artists.
-
-
Art Appreciation and Public Engagement 1 activity
- Offers year-round public programs and artist talksHosts a year-round talk series featuring leaders in the arts, humanities, and sciences, along with public conversations, lectures, and artist presentations that explore intersections of art, science, and creative practice.
-
-
Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Offers youth artist residency and creative development programsProvides after-school and multi-week Young Artist Residency Programs for children ages 8–12 and teens ages 13–18, engaging participants with Artists-in-Residence, archives, and collections to develop creativity, artistic identity, and public art projects.
-
-
Film Production Funding and Fiscal Sponsorship 1 activity
- Provides fiscal sponsorship and administrative support to artistsOffers fiscal sponsorship to alumni and affiliated artists, enabling access to foundation and corporate grants restricted to 501(c)(3) organizations, and imposes a 6% administrative fee on sponsored projects.
-
-
Creative Arts Therapy Programs 1 activity
- Provides inclusive arts programs for diverse communitiesOffers Inclusion Arts programs and Sensory Friendly Tours tailored for individuals with disabilities and neurodiverse visitors, along with theater-based mental health programs that use creative play to support trauma recovery and self-advocacy.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.63M
Contributions & grants$3.36M93%
Program service revenue$2K0%
Investment income$542K15%
Other revenue$-278K
expenses
Total expenses$3.96M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$1.42M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$44.08M
Cash$1.51M
Investments$15.21M
Liabilities$3.25M
Net assets$40.83M
Liquid reserves50.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -48.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Wilson | Artistic Director | 10 | $165K |
| Elise Herget | Managing Dir. | 40 | $163K |
| Nicole Martorana | Artist Prog. Dir. | 40 | $149K |
| Ronald Harrison | Dir. of Finance | 40 | $149K |
| Jillian Maxwell | Dir. ext. affairs | 40 | $117K |
board members · 11
- Anastasiya Siro — Director
- Audrey Gruss — Director
- Enric Ruiz Geli — Director
- Helen Lee Warren — Director
- Karolina Blaberg — Director
- Kristian Nammack — Director
- Lisa Ehrenkranz — Director
- Nicolas Bos — Director
- Roger Ferris — Secretary
- Stephan Farber — Treasurer
- William Campbell — Chairman
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- Baroness Nina von Maltzahn Fellowship for the Performing Arts Funder — Awards the fellowship to Uriel Barthélemi for his residency.
- Blue Rider Group Funder — Provider of support for the exhibition "The Disappearance of Landscape: Oakleyville, 1964–2022".
- Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Funder — Provided generous support for the launch of the Dance Reflections Fellowship in 2025.
- Dance Reflections by Van Cleef and Arpels Funder — Provides lead support for dance programming at The Watermill Center.
- Development Office Government — Handles donor inquiries and development operations for The Watermill Center.
- Dr. Kerry English International Arts Fund Funder — Supports the residencies of Marcela Correa and Matthew Diafos Sweeney + Sebastian Peters-Lazaro.
- Drac Ile de France Government — Provides current support to Uriel Barthélemi.
- Estate of Paul Thek Partner — Partnership to steward and advance Paul Thek's legacy through preservation of his archive and collection.
- Fundación Teatro a Mil Funder — Supports the residencies of Marcela Correa and Matthew Diafos Sweeney + Sebastian Peters-Lazaro.
- Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio Partner — Collaborated with Sarah Cameron Sunde’s 2022 Alumni Retreat.
- Mitchell-Innes & Nash Partner — Partnered with The Watermill Center in supporting Visual Arts Fellow Gideon Appah in 2024.
- Nina Maria Arts & Culture Foundation Partner — Collaborated to establish the Baroness Nina von Maltzahn Fellowship for the Performing Arts in 2022.
- Nina Maria Arts & Culture Foundation Partner — Partner organization that founded The Watermill Center's Baroness Nina von Maltzahn Fellowship for the Performing Arts.
- Olga Garay-English Funder — Supports the residencies of Marcela Correa and Matthew Diafos Sweeney + Sebastian Peters-Lazaro.
- PUBLIC SPACE ONE Partner — Collaborating with Matty Davis on a 2023 performance of Die No Die in Iowa City.
- Pace Gallery Partner — Partnered with The Watermill Center in supporting Visual Arts Fellows Gideon Appah (2024) and Pam Evelyn (2025).
- Robert Wilson Partner — Collaborates with Robert Wilson in conducting workshops and developing new artistic projects through the International Summer Program.
- SlideRoom Partner — Platform used to collect and manage residency applications.
- The Robert D.L. Gardiner Foundation Funder — Provided a generous grant enabling the "From Western Union to The Watermill Center" educational program.
- Van Cleef & Arpels Partner — Presenting partner for the Summer Festival event "LIMITLESS TIME".
- Van Cleef & Arpels Partner — Presenting sponsor of the Annual Summer Festival.
- Works & Process Partner — Supports the residency of Sekou McMiller & Friends at The Watermill Center.
strategies · 4
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.
- Archival and Collection-Based Artistic Researchmethodology: archival-preservation-for-artistic-researchBy preserving and providing access to Robert Wilson’s archive and art collection, the Foundation supports deep, context-rich artistic and scholarly research because sustained engagement with historical and creative lineage inspires new work and methodological innovation.
- Creative Laboratory Modelmethodology: creative-laboratoryBy providing artists and humanists with time, space, and freedom to experiment, the Foundation fosters innovation and inspiration because creative risk-taking in a supportive, communal environment enables breakthrough work that cannot emerge under conventional constraints.
- Interdisciplinary Exchange as Creative Catalystmethodology: cross-disciplinary exchangeBy structuring residencies and public programs around cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration, the Foundation advances artistic innovation because exposure to diverse perspectives and art forms disrupts conventions and sparks new modes of expression.
- Public Engagement Through Creative Processmethodology: artist-public engagementBy opening studios, rehearsals, and artist residencies to the public, the Foundation cultivates deeper public understanding of and connection to the arts because witnessing the creative process—rather than only the final product—builds empathy, curiosity, and sustained engagement.