Contemporary Art for San Antonio
Inspire. Nurture. Innovate.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Contemporary's programs respond to the following needs: • The development of a variety of programs that support critical thinking and dialogue on contemporary art (National Art Education Association); • The reduction of barriers to public participation in high-quality programs for audiences of all ages (adults, children, families) (National Endowment for the Arts); • The creation of participatory experiences—not merely viewing, but interacting to create meaningful learning encounters (National Assembly of State Art Agencies and Wallace Foundation); and • The support of more culturally diverse programs (The Cultural Planning Group). Locally, we address community needs as identified by SA2020 by increasing: • Attendance for arts and culture; • Economic impact of creative sector; • Employment in creative industries; and • Audience satisfaction with arts and culture.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
MOSAIC Student Artist Program
The MOSAIC Student Artist Program is an innovative program that stirs the imagination and inspire people of all ages while connecting the Contemporary to the San Antonio community in fun, original ways. Under the mentorship of area artists, MOSAIC Student Artists (ages 13-18) receive year-round, intensive studio arts instruction alongside professional development opportunities. Student Artists also curate their own onsite and satellite exhibitions, lead hands-on activities throughout the community for area youth, and complete public art projects that inspire our entire community.
The first cohort of MOSAIC students are college graduates with BFAs, re-investing their skills and talents within the community. Alumni have enrolled at the University of Texas, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Southwest School of Art, and the Brown University/Rhode Island School of Design, among many other prestigious programs.
Students from all area high schools are encouraged to apply.
The Berlin Residency Program
The Contemporary's longstanding commitment to contemporary artists in the San Antonio is carried through the Berlin Residency Program in partnership with the German nonprofit Kunstlerhaus Bethanien. Each year, four San Antonio artists travel to Berlin for 3-month residencies. The vibrant international art community positively impacts their careers and fosters professional and creative connections. Upon their return, each artist presents an exhibition at the Contemporary.
To further the international exchange dialogue, the Contemporary also invites artists participating in the KB program to San Antonio. For example, we hosted exhibitions by Norwegian artist Bodil Furu and Swedish artists Patrik Elgstrom and Jenny Magnusson.
Exhibitions
Contemporary at Blue Star hosts over twenty exhibitions annually within its four distinct gallery spaces targeting local, international, emerging and established contemporary art and artists. The development of the Contemporary’s events and programs have created a social and economic revitalization in the surrounding King William, Lavaca, and Southtown neighborhoods, and it is an anchoring cultural institution in the King William Cultural Arts District.
First Fridays are another collaborative partnership for the Contemporary and local neighboring businesses. The event now involves over 10,000 participants on the first Friday of each month, including students, art patrons, families, and artists who view the art on exhibit at numerous galleries, shops and other businesses that now thrive in the community.
Creative Classrooms
For this in-school program, the Contemporary's Artists-in-Community translate their studio practice into hands-on activities aligned with class curricula to encourage creative, critical, and exploratory thinking.
The program immediately addresses the lack of arts education in area schools, and also attendance rates. In one school, where A-I-C Emily Fleisher works with the entire second grade student body, attendance often dropped to 50% -- but there was near 100% attendance on art days. As elementary attendance statistics are extrapolated to high school graduation rates, the impact this program will have will be measured over the course of ten or more years.
Currently, the Contemporary is working with artists Theresa Newsome, Joey Rivera, and Edward Warren Harris in Wright Elementary in Harlandale ISD.
Activities developed for this program are available on bluestarcontemporary.org.
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of participants engaged in programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Exhibitions
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Onsite visitorship by calendar year. The pandemic severely affected attendance.
Total dollars paid to artists
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Artists and performers
Related Program
Exhibitions
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Results are by Fiscal Year, October - September. In 2016, we became a WAGE Certified Organization (wageforwork.com), and we pay artists according to WAGE's scale, based on our operating expenses.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn 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?
The Contemporary inspires the creative genius in us all by nurturing artists through innovative contemporary art.
In 2024, we aim to:
Invest in equitable practices to increase accessibility and reach;
Support artists at all stages of their development;
Increase reach of art education by expanding current programs;
Ensure financial stability in a challenging time; and
Demonstrate forward-thinking initiative and future focus.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our strategies are:
Invest in equitable practices to increase accessibility and reach
Operationalize equity assessment and engage equity committee
Increase program partnerships with organizations that advance accessibility and equity
Learn more about our audience through data collection and analysis
Support artists at all stages of their development
Maintain W.A.G.E. Certification and promote artist payment
Sustain Berlin Residency Program and grow partnership with Darmstadt
Grow participation in the MOSAIC Student Artist Program
Increase reach of art education by expanding current programs
Activate newly renovated education space with public programs
Develop expansion plan for Creative Classrooms
Mine connections and resources in exhibitions for public programs
Ensure financial stability in a challenging time
Grow individual support through membership and donor groups
Develop campaign to support 40th Anniversary projects, master planning, and capacity-building opportunities
Activate and grow Board committees
Demonstrate forward-thinking initiative and future focus
Invest in the professional development of the Contemporary's staff and grow their professional networks
Provide an inspiring workplace that supports employee retention and well-being
Promote public engagement through comprehensive media and marketing strategy that includes expanded online presence
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Contemporary:
• Is Open and Inclusive — We are welcoming and open, with a diverse groups of supporters and audiences. The Contemporary is a place for everyone, with contemporary art as the common denominator.
• Is a Home for Innovative and Progressive Exhibitions — We focus on contemporary art, with no compromises. Our exhibitions are challenging and cutting-edge, and include emerging and established artists.
• Has a Comprehensive and Integrated Approach to Art Education — We are committed to multi-tiered education that includes professional development opportunities for students, and artists as educators in our public programs.
• Maintains a Commitment to Best Practices in Museum Management — We are committed to stewarding relationships with funders and responsible, community-centered fundraising. We are committed to a strong staff and Board.
• Is a Partner for Artists — The Contemporary advocates for artists and offers development opportunities through programs like the Berlin Residency and our WAGE Certification.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Invest in equitable practices to increase accessibility and reach: Expanded reach to include Spanish-language press releases and exhibition collateral. The Contemporary moved to free admission for all in Summer 2020, and participates in programs like Blue Star Museums and Museums for All to reach new audiences seeking free engagement with the arts.
Support artists at all stages of their development: The Contemporary maintains its commitment to WAGE Certification, even during these financially challenging times. MOSAIC continues to meet in a hybrid schedule for its teen artist participants, with a focus on visiting artists to strengthen the students' networks and art-making knowledge. Recorded webinars on "How to Apply for Stuff" uploaded to the Contemporary's YouTube channel. During the pause of the Berlin Residency Program (due to pandemic-related travel restrictions), the organization launched a collaboration with Darmstdter Sezession (Darmstadt is one of San Antonio's sister cities) in Summer 2021.
Increase reach of art education by expanding current programs: Creative Classrooms has expanded in exciting new ways; not only did it grow its reach from one school to the entire Harlandale ISD K-5 population, it has grown through new partnerships with University Health, Brighton Center, and the San Antonio Food Bank.
Ensure financial stability in a challenging time: With the re-alignment of the Visitor Engagement Representatives to the development office, the Contemporary is investing in its capacity to nurture relationships with donors. The Contemporary is embracing the principles of Community-Centric Fundraising to guide its efforts. The Contemporary also paid down significant debt left from its 2016/17 capital projects. The organization secured its largest single charitable gift ever in December 2022.
Demonstrate forward-thinking initiative and future focus: Expanding in-person programming to also reach audiences through their computers and smart phones. Artists continue to be the center of our programming efforts, which include artist talks, artist walks, film screenings, collaborations, Family Saturdays, and more. The Contemporary is a leading partner with CAUSA (Culture and Arts United for San Antonio) and its Creativity Counts campaign, which advocates for the arts and culture sector and its long-term sustainability.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, We don’t have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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.
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.
Contemporary Art for San Antonio
Board of directorsas of 03/22/2024
Ms. Patty Ortiz
Catriona Morrison Cavender
Hornberger Fuller & Garza Inc.
Andrew Sherwood
Dykema
Charlie Biedenharn
Bakery Lorraine
Lauren Kate Holt
Homemaker; Philanthropist
Patty Ortiz
Artist; Liberty Bar
Joy LeFlore
Jefferson Bank
Patrick Attwater
One80 Solar
Ricky Armendariz
UTSA; Artist
Alissa Howard
Whataburger
Catharine Tarver
Catharine Tarver Interiors
Loretta Kerner McCrary
CPS Energy
Grant Herbon
Oracle
Jay Podjenski
South Texas Blood & Tissue Center
Mark Barile
Capital Group
Lisa Montoya
UTSA
Lucas Oliva
H-E-B
Michael Mazzei
Valero
Lachlan Miles
Nonprofit Consulant
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/05/2024GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.