Denver Art Museum Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Denver, Colorado, registered in 1935, with $41,968,354 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it C+, and it directs about 78% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2023)
$42.0M
▼ 6.2% vs prior year
Arts & Culture median: $159K
Expenses (FY2023)
$59.1M
Net assets
$170.7M
Employees
596
Rated on 4 of 4 criteria.
Held down by its weakest criterion — a strong score on one criterion can't hide a weak one.
How the rating works →Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Denver Art Museum Inc: 78% to programs · $6 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Denver Art Museum Inc: 35 mo reserves · -41% margin earns a D on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Denver Art Museum Inc: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Denver Art Museum Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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The primary mission of the denver art museum is to enrich the lives of present and future generations through the acquisition, presentation, and preservation of works of art, supported by exemplary scholarship and public programs related both to its permanent collections and to temporary exhibitions presented by the museum.
Premises & buildings: these costs include all expenditures associated with the day-to-day operations of the museum's facilities. exhibition and permanent galleries displayed a variety of artwork for the public's enjoyment while the museum's public spaces enable museum staff and volunteers to conduct frequent learning and engagement programs including tours, public talks, interpretive programs, art-making activities, and more. the premises and buildings provide ample space for mission-driven programming aimed at enriching the lives of this and future generations, and for which the museum has been internationally recognized.
Learning and engagement programs: at the denver art museum (dam), we collaborate with communities to create art and creativity experiences that foster well-being, belonging, and empathy for all, while advancing innovative practices in the field. we do this to fulfill our vision of making a meaningful difference in people's lives by celebrating creativity and inspiring greater understanding and connection with the world. the dam's department of learning and engagement (l&e) designs and implements interpretive strategies, both within communities and online. the l&e team has developed an impact framework that guides all program development and delivery. our strategies for providing art and creativity experiences prioritize cultivating a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives. we work alongside audiences and stakeholders using human-centered design principles, ensuring that no group is engaged without their active participation and input. we are committed to growing as leaders in creativity, experimentation, and innovation, and to fostering a culture of openness by sharing our processes, challenges, and successes with the field. through its programs, the museum strives to nurture a sense of well-being in visitors at the museum and recipients of community-based programs. we aim to support personal growth, pride, self-worth, and connectedness through experiences with art and creativity, contributing to individual and community health and happiness. we seek to cultivate a sense of belonging by offering experiences that build connections, confidence, and ownership, especially when they include and welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. ultimately, we hope these experiences will build and sustain empathy, improving our ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and fostering interconnectedness within and across communities. l&e programs can be summarized under the following categories: youth and family programs school and teacher programs lifelong learning and accessibility in-gallery interpretation creative and public engagement programs outreach and in-community programs the dam values its community partnerships and engages service organizations, community and business leaders, government officials, and community representatives through standing advisory committees (e.g., youth advisory groups, creative aging forum, access advisory committee, latino audience alliance, and others). ad hoc committees support in-gallery interpretation and programs to help create experiences that represent artists, curators, scholars, non-art experts, community members, and more. the l&e department is also a leader in the field of museum education, regularly hosting national and international museum colleagues, presenting at national conferences, and sharing learnings and best practices with the museum field. all museum-produced reports are accessible on the museum's website under 'research & reports.'
Other program services included in this caption are the activities associated with the gift shop, restaurant, and other facilities designed to enhance the visitor's overall museum experience.
Revenue declined from $75.3M (FY2013) to $42.0M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
-40.9%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$179.4M
Total liabilities
$8.7M
Net assets
$170.7M
Salaries & benefits
$25.6M
43% of expenses
Board members
35
35 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $41,968,354▼6.2% | $59,114,464▲11.3% | $170,719,597▼8.8% | $179,382,502▼7.8% | 990 |
| 2022 | $44,734,320▼21.8% | $53,112,181▲7.3% | $187,181,047▼4.1% | $194,572,889▼3.5% | 990 |
| 2021 | $57,180,332▼22.8% | $49,505,633▼30.9% | $195,178,747▲3.4% | $201,676,348▼8.2% | 990 |
| 2020 | $74,103,698▲46.1% | $71,680,408▲63.1% | $188,743,577▲1.7% | $219,748,748▼0.2% | 990 |
| 2019 | $50,720,002▼19.4% | $43,947,885▲21.9% | $185,521,305▲4.0% | $220,132,884▲9.9% | 990 |
| 2018 | $62,962,532▼14.9% | $36,039,468 | $178,470,893▲17.8% | $200,237,614▲20.7% | 990 |
| 2017 | $73,973,603▼9.5% | $36,045,340▼14.2% | $151,503,061▲33.4% | $165,832,052▲39.6% | 990 |
| 2016 | $81,748,064▲79.2% | $41,996,799▲11.6% | $113,585,853▲56.0% | $118,759,976▲49.6% | 990 |
| 2015 | $45,629,102▼18.9% | $37,637,706▲13.2% | $72,816,925▲11.0% | $79,385,378▲8.1% | 990 |
| 2014 | $56,291,430▼25.2% | $33,256,043▼6.8% | $65,623,201▲49.3% | $73,425,185▲30.5% | 990 |
| 2013 | $75,293,274 | $35,681,991▲20.8% | $43,957,038▲2.2% | $56,268,097▲16.2% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $29,531,147▲2.2% | $42,993,631▲8.7% | $48,441,083▲8.8% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $28,886,663▲8.2% | $39,545,076▲50.0% | $44,507,611▲32.8% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $26,685,502▲13.9% | $26,364,407▼10.7% | $33,525,034▼15.3% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $23,425,802 | $29,523,249 | $39,590,104 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Highest-paid: Christoph Heinrich — $409,322 (0.69% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christoph Heinrich | Director | 40 | $409,322 |
| Andrea Fulton Thru 0624 | Deputy Direc | 40 | $242,033 |
| Curtis Woitte | Deputy Direc | 40 | $237,234 |
| Arpie Chucovich | Chief Dev. O | 40 | $185,641 |
| Bryon Thornburgh | Coo | 40 | $175,505 |
| Jill Dalessandro | Director and | 40 | $140,841 |
| Angelica Daneo | Chief Curato | — | $134,600 |
| Katherine Ross | Chief Mrktng | 40 | $132,320 |
| Alan Salazar | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Amanda Precourt | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Andrea Pollack Hankinson | Trustee Thru | 1 | — |
| Arlene Hirschfeld | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Baryn S Futa | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Bridget Grier | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Cathey M Finlon As of Nov 2023 | Vice Chairpe | 1 | — |
| Christopher Km Leach | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Christopher Law | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Craig Harrison | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Craig Ponzio | Vice Chairpe | 1 | — |
| David Birnbaum | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Dcps Cleaning LLC | Cleaning | $1,001,980 |
| Uovo LLC | Shipping | $423,316 |
| Scott A Skinner | Painting | $177,828 |
| Holland & Hart LLP | Legal | $161,273 |
| Snell & Wilmer LLP | Legal | $150,898 |
140 grants to Denver Art Museum Inc totaling $14.0M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Gives Foundation | General purpose | 2024 | $155,082 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $110,000 |
| Denver Foundation | Art museums | 2024 | $82,211 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Arts and culture | 2024 | $35,000 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Arts and humanities | 2024 | $25,000 |
| Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado | Art at hand | 2024 | $24,500 |
| Mile High United Way Inc | Other | 2024 | $15,000 |
| Mile High United Way Inc | Other | 2024 | $15,000 |
| Rose Community Foundation | Textile department, general operating support | 2024 | $12,750 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Arts, culture | 2024 | $11,000 |
| AARP | Sponsorship of various events | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Paypal Charitable Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Ihc Health Services Inc | Support community health | 2024 | $7,358 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2024 | $7,000 |
| Greater Horizons | Arts & culture | 2024 | $5,500 |
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Data for Denver Art Museum Inc (EIN 84-6038240) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.