American Visionary Art Museum
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
AVAM works to facilitate the seamless merger of science, philosophy, engineering, and art in ways accessible and inspirational to both children and Nobel Laureates alike; promote the view that creative acts of social justice and wellbeing constitute life's highest performance art; and inspire life long learning and appreciation. One key problem area AVAM works to address is the limited access to the arts among Baltimore's K-12 students. Offering hands-on workshops, skilled apprenticeships, and art experiences to students and whole families is increasingly necessary, as visual art programs in schools are eliminated. Teachers have long hailed the thematic and grassroots aspect of our unique national museum offers an ideal entry experience into the possibilities of art and creative problem solving. Participation in our annual Kinetic Sculpture (land/sea) Race has been incorporated as year round curriculum in area schools and exalts intergenerational partnerships.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
AVAM's School Group Tours & Workshops
Thousands of K-12 students visit AVAM each year, experiencing docent-led tours, completing scavenger hunts, and participating in hands-on workshops. AVAM welcomes students and teachers from 14 Maryland jurisdictions in addition to 7 states and Washington, D.C.
AVAM's Annual Thematic Exhibition & Conference
Each year, AVAM mounts an 11-month thematic exhibition, weaving together art, science, philosophy, and history. The exhibition provides context for AVAM's annual free public conference, where industry experts and visionary artists share their wisdoms to create a place for dialogue about issues facing humanity.
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Through our original, annual thematic exhibitions, complimentary free educational programs and outreach, free outdoor family movies that can accommodate up to 2,000 on Summer nights, and fulfillment of our 7 Founding Education Goals and Mission as both a Congressionally designated national museum and education center, our AVAM works to inspire greater creative self-reliance, increase awareness and respect for visionary art and thought, and creates a safe and welcoming place for deeper public dialogue, engagement and inspirational delight. AVAM's primary goals each year are to: curate and mount an original thematic 11-month long exhibition; organize and host a free annual public conference to expand the learning kindred to that theme; create and distribute a new and theme bespoke curriculum and classroom activities packet for educators; lead workshops and outreach programs at AVAM and off-site at local libraries and community centers; and execute free public programs including a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration that attracts 3,000+, mount our annual 15-mile East Coast Kinetic Sculpture Race, hold our patriotic Fourth of July Pet Parade, host our Flicks from the Hill outdoor movie series, and welcome a huge intergenerational sew-in Sock Monkey Saturday workshop.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
All of AVAM's programs and workshops reflect our annual exhibition theme and are guided faithfully by our founding Education goals and Mission Statement. The NYC Lower East Side Girls Club was actually founded verbatim with our 7 Education Goals and our materials acts to inspire many educators. Our 1.1 acre urban "wonderland" of a park-like museum campus boast exterior, grand-scale mirrored walls created by incarcerated youth apprentices - the largest such program in the U.S., and creative partnerships with other underserved groups such as the National Federation of The Blind, and various ethnic communities that act to help AVAM keep its programs and events fresh, inclusive and lively, engaging visitors in unforgettable ways.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
In twenty-two years we've never opened a show even a day late, we brought in our original buildings on-time and on budget, won high national awards, and then doubled our site 9 years later, again on-time and on-budget. We host over 100 weddings a year, maintain a high level of earned income well above the average, and maintain a clean audit report. We have a board and staff focus on raising an operational endowment, but have no debt on any of our properties or land. Our museum was the first to win the coveted National Award for Excellence from The Urban Land Institute and has consistently earned extraordinarily positive press.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
AVAM remains debt-free and committed to offering a unique art experience to all with free admission for Title I students and several free public programs throughout the year. Next, we plan to raise our endowment goal of $25 million; begin phased transition from dynamic founder/director to new leadership; continue to build strong board leadership; consider purchase (in lieu of continued rental) of sufficient for growth art storage; and fund a comprehensive annual catalogue. We also will work to be in a strong fiscal position, sufficient to accept offer of new west coast location to build a full branch of our unique national museum that would only strengthen the reach and collecting/exhibition goals of our Baltimore-based "mothership."
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
American Visionary Art Museum
Board of directorsas of 10/25/2017
Christopher Goelet
Holly Gudelsky Stone
Matthew Gorra
Tsognie Hamilton
Pat Handal
Marilyn Meyerhoff
Lisa Revson
Renee Wooding
Dana Bourland