Zygote Press Inc

“The form 990 is prepared by an independent cpa. Prior to filing, the form 990 is presented to the executive director and board treasurer for review and approval. The form 990 is then electronically distributed to the board of directors in advance of filing.”

“Each year, the board members are asked to review the organization's conflict of interest policy. Among other things, the policy makes clear that all decisions of the board, officers, and employees of the organization are made solely on the basis of a desire to promote the best interest of the organization and the public good. The conflict of interest statement requests board members to identify to the best of their knowledge affiliations with organizations that may be potentially related to the financials or other substantive operations of the organization. They are also asked to identify circumstances involving either themselves, or a member of their extended family, that may be construed as a conflict of interest. At the staff level, the organization's personnel also ensure that there are no conflicts of interest when considering the engagement of a new vendor. If a potential conflict is identified, appropriate steps are taken to both assess the nature of the potential conflict and, subsequently, to ensure that the possibility of an actual conflict is mitigated. Such mitigation is managed and the letter and spirit of the conflicts policy are upheld.”

“The organization's governing documents and form 1023 are made available to the public upon request. The public inspection version of the form 990 are available on many publicly-accessible websites.”

“The organization is an established, nonprofit community printmaking studio, gallery, archive, and education center that supports artists through residency programs, studio access, and artistic development in a collaborative environment open to all.”

“Proof fellowship program in 2021, zygote launched a residency program for bipoc artists that was renamed to proof (print residency of ohio's future) fellowship in 2023. The proof fellowship provides artists with a six-month residency, 500 stipend, group workshops in all the primary printmaking processes, individual instruction of printmaking processes, project mentorship, collaborative work space, year-long artspass memberships, 24/7 access to our state-of- the-art printmaking studio, and storage for the artists' work. The objective of the proof fellowship is to provide emerging and established artists, creatives, and educators the opportunity to expand their practice by learning a variety of print techniques, including silkscreen, monoprint, and riso, and to build professional networks to advance their careers. In 2021, five artists were chosen through an open call for a month-long residency. These five airs in the pilot program created falling through the little edges, an exhibition in zygote's gallery that included the results of the artists' collaboration, as well as individual new work completed during their residencies. Expanded from one-month residencies, in 2022, these three-month residencies provided time and flexibility for artists to hone their chosen printmaking techniques and integrate what they have learned into their larger practice. Added time provides deeper connections to the printmaking community through the relationships artists will build while working in the studio. Artists worked in two cohorts of three, creating peer groups that model the creative incubator environment of a master of fine arts program. Small cohorts provide a sounding board for peer reviews and an environment of sharing collective challenges and successes. Indicative of the program's success, past airs have been central to improvements to the program and stay involved with zygote as teaching artists and jurors. In all, the program has seen increasing interest. Thirty artists applied to the spring 2024 open call. In 2023 the six proof fellows were: mckinley wiley, lacy talley, sydney kay, chester hopkins bey, lawrence hudson, and chudney patterson. Operating costs for shop maintenance in the summer of 2021, zygote reopened to the public with exhibitions, limited workshop opportunities, and open access studio hours. In 2022, our workshops, exhibitions, and off-site events grew rapidly, returning the organization to nearly pre-pandemic levels of activity. To ensure that reopening included an effective response to calls for action in diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (deai) and safety, we have revised several staff, shop, and printmaking policies. We have new handbooks for organizational operations, deai, and shop operations. We improved our handbook for handling hazardous materials. With these changes and improvements, zygote continues to be one of the greenest printmaking facilities in the country. Studio staff engage in ongoing professional development and research in the area of green printmaking in order to stay up to date on best practices. Zygote artists use inks, cleaning products,chemical formulas that are far less harmful to the environment, to artists, and are more sustainable overall. Organizational policies and mission for deai, zygote press prioritizes anti-racist policies, diversity, equity, and inclusion training, an updated code of conduct for our employee handbook, and collaboration with our members and teaching artists to sustain an atmosphere of support and inclusivity. The board has been active in the process of updating documents and processes. Furthermore, as an employer, we have made progress on advancing equity in the arts in northeast ohio. For the first time, in 2021, we offered staff paid time off, and in 2022, with gund funding, we introduced health insurance stipends. We continue to make progress by increasing salaries and benefits. We gave staff raises at the end of 2023 to ensure retention and c”