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Where Art Transforms
Where Art Engages
Where Art Thrives
Where Art Joins
The Palo Alto Art Center is owned and operated by the City of Palo Alto as a program of the Division of Arts and Culture, Department of Community Services. The Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, a private nonprofit organization, supports the Art Center by means of a public/private partnership. Through this partnership, the Foundation significantly enhances the extent and quality of the Art Center’s programs through fundraising initiatives and volunteer service.
How is the Art Center Funded?
The budget of the Art Center is approximately $1.4 million. The City of Palo Alto provides approximately $1 million a year for staff salaries and basic program operations of the Art Center as well as maintaining the facility. The Art Center Foundation’s budget also directly supports the Art Center programs, providing an additional $350,000, or 26% of the Art Center’s budget. Cultural Kaleidoscope is entirely funded by the Foundation. The Foundation also provides funding for Project LOOK! And pays for a program assistant for the children’s programs as well as underwriting Family Days, traveling exhibitions, publications, scholarships and special equipment. The Foundation is supported by membership and individual contributions, corporate and foundation grants, and special events as well as proceeds from The Gallery Shop.
History of the Foundation
The Palo Alto Art Center Foundation was founded in 1973 to advise and support the Palo Alto Art Center. Since its inception, the Foundation has engaged in fundraising to assist the Art Center’s efforts to educate, motivate and involve people in the visual arts.