Ucross Foundation

What Ucross Foundation does

Ucross Foundation is a Wyoming-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 by Raymond Plank (co-founder of Apache Corporation) that operates one of the country's longest-running artist residency programs on a 20,000-acre historic ranch at the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. Since opening in 1983, the program has hosted more than 3,000 writers, visual artists, composers, choreographers, filmmakers, and interdisciplinary artists, with more than 150 residencies granted annually. Selected artists receive fully funded one-month residencies (costing the organization approximately $12,000-$12,500 each) that include private studio, private bedroom, all meals from an in-house chef, staff support, and a stipend, while 10 artists live and work on the ranch simultaneously to form a concentrated creative community.

The organization's product surface extends beyond the residency to include the Ucross Art Gallery (free-admission rotating exhibitions of alumni work), the Ucross Café, The Park at Ucross, the Fellowship for Native American Artists (established 2018 with early Andy Warhol Foundation support), the Confluences sound-hike installation, yoga classes, and a gift shop selling branded merchandise and The Ucross Cookbook. It does not develop proprietary technology; digital touchpoints are limited to a Submittable application portal, Eventbrite registrations, Square checkout, and a deliverable mobile app for the Confluences sound installation.

Revenue is generated primarily through charitable contributions rather than commercial sales: individual donations (including Big Red Society membership at $1,000+ annually), institutional giving and named residencies (sponsored by foundations such as McKnight, Ford, Whiting, and the Wyoming Arts Council), planned/legacy giving (Cloud Peak Society), event revenue (biennial Wyoming Gala and the Houston Gala & Benefit, which raised more than $1.4M in November 2025), modest gift shop sales, and nominal community program fees. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees (currently chaired by Jesse Marion) and led by President and Executive Director Caitlin Addlesperger, who assumed the role on January 1, 2025. A $5M capital campaign is in progress alongside a $1.41M Big Red Ranch House renovation completed in 2025-2026.

Name

Ucross Foundation

Legal name

Ucross Foundation

Website

https://ucrossfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ucross Foundation is a Wyoming-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a fully funded artist residency program on a 20,000-acre ranch, serving 150+ writers, visual artists, composers, and choreographers annually while operating a gallery, café, and event programming funded primarily through philanthropic donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artist Residency Programs

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

Keywords

• Artist residency programs
• Nonprofit arts foundation
• Artist fellowships
• Creative community programs
• Cultural philanthropy

Headquarters

HQ city

Clearmont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the artist residency program. Includes annual gifts, one-time gifts, and major gifts. Big Red Society membership requires $1,000+ annual donation.
2. Institutional Giving & Named Residencies: Support from foundations, businesses, and government granting agencies to underwrite residency costs. Donors can sponsor specific residencies or create named fellowships.
3. Planned/Legacy Giving: Bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable lead trusts. Cloud Peak Society recognizes planned giving donors.
4. Gift Shop Sales: Sale of branded merchandise, cookbooks, exhibition catalogues, and gift certificates through the Ucross Art Gallery gift shop and online store.
5. Event Revenue: Gala tickets, table purchases, sponsorships, and special event revenue. Biennial Wyoming gala and annual fundraising events.
6. Community Programs: Yoga classes ($10 entrance fee), sound hikes (free with registration), and other community events that may include nominal fees or donation requests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ucross Foundation delivers a fully funded, multi-week artist residency program on its 20,000-acre Wyoming ranch, providing selected working artists (writers, visual artists, composers, choreographers, performers, and multidisciplinary artists) with private studio space, private bedroom, all meals prepared by a professional chef, staff support, and uninterrupted creative time at no cost to the artist. The foundation complements the residency with public exhibitions at the Ucross Art Gallery, the Ucross Fellowship for Native American Artists, community programming (Founder's Day, yoga, sound hikes, bird walks), a branded gift shop and cookbook, and biennial fundraising galas.

Product overview

Ucross Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering an artist residency program as its core product, providing writers, visual artists, composers, choreographers, and interdisciplinary artists with uninterrupted time, private studios, living accommodations, and chef-prepared meals on a 20,000-acre Wyoming ranch. The organization operates the Ucross Art Gallery featuring rotating exhibitions of alumni work, the Ucross Café serving espresso and pastries, The Park at Ucross for community events, and offers specialized programs including the Fellowship for Native American Artists, Confluences sound hikes via mobile app, yoga classes, and Founder's Day open studios. The organization also maintains a gift shop selling branded merchandise including The Ucross Cookbook, totes, mugs, notebooks, thermos, and art catalogues.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Artist Residency Program Core fully funded multi-week residency providing private studio, private bedroom, all meals prepared by a professional chef, staff support, and uninterrupted creative time for writers, visual artists, composers, choreographers, performers, and multidisciplinary artists on the 20,000-acre Wyoming ranch. Artists are selected through a competitive jury-reviewed application process.
• Ucross Fellowship for Native American Artists Fellowship supporting contemporary Indigenous visual artists, writers, and performers with a four-week fully funded residency, a $2,000 award, studio space, accommodations, and a public presentation opportunity.
• Ucross Art Gallery Public gallery showcasing rotating exhibitions of artwork by current and former artists-in-residence, including the Big Red Showcase spotlight series, with free admission Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The gallery features artist talks and public receptions and is paired with the on-site Ucross Café.
• Yoga in The Park at Ucross Outdoor yoga classes led by instructor Tressa Lawrence at The Park at Ucross, with a $10 entrance fee including the guided class, a free beverage at the Ucross Café, and raffle entry for a Ucross tote. Open to the public, typically scheduled during summer months.
• Confluences Sound Hikes Series of guided sound hikes on the Ucross Ranch featuring an emplaced sound experience created by Ucross artist-alumni Teri Rueb and Laurids Sonne. Free to the public with registration via Eventbrite, with companion iOS and Android app.
• Ucross Gala Biennial fundraising event featuring dinner, entertainment, auction, and awards ceremony honoring recipients of the Outstanding Patron of the Arts Award. Includes Wyoming gala and Houston gala editions, with ticketing and table sales supporting the residency program.
• The Ucross Cookbook Cookbook co-authored by former chef Cindy Brooks and alumna Cree LeFavour, featuring 76 recipes, 60+ images, and passages by 10 acclaimed artist-alumni. Priced at $43.20 (including sales tax).
• Ucross Gift Shop Online and on-site gift shop selling branded merchandise inspired by the artist residency program and Wyoming landscape, including totes, mugs, notebooks, thermos, beanies, exhibition catalogues, and gift certificates. Online sales processed via Square; physical location within the Ucross Art Gallery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,000+ artists supported since 1983
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Union Delegation to the United StatescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026EU's Transatlantic Rising Stars initiative places European artists at Ucross. Artist Bim Eriksson from Sweden completed an eight-week residency through this program in 2026.
• McKnight FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026McKnight Foundation partnership brings artists to Ucross through their fellowship programs. Mentioned as one of several national organizations partnering for residencies.
• Rice University Shepherd School of MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with Rice University's music school brings composers for residencies. Houston Gala featured performances by Shepherd School musicians.
• Rhode Island Foundation MacColl Johnson FellowshipminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025New partnership bringing artists through MacColl Johnson Fellowship program to Ucross.
• University of Wyoming Haub School of Environment and Natural ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Hosted inaugural Wyoming Resources Policy Forum on the Ucross ranch, collaborating on environmental and land stewardship programming.
• Sundance InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSundance Institute is a prominent creative industry partner. Philip Himberg of Sundance Institute Theatre Program received Ucross's Outstanding Partnership Award in 2018, indicating an established collaborative relationship supporting artists and performing arts.
• Whiting FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhiting Foundation is a key institutional partner supporting Ucross's residency program and artist fellowships.
• Wyoming Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState arts agency partner providing grant support and recognition for Wyoming artists and the residency program.
• University of Houston Creative Writing ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership bringing writers from University of Houston's Creative Writing Program for residencies. Deborah Koehler helped facilitate grants supporting these residencies.
• Ford Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting Ucross's artist residency program and fellowship opportunities.
• The Nature Conservancy in WyomingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived Ucross's Outstanding Partnership Award in 2019. Collaboration on land stewardship and ecological preservation of the ranch property.
• Yale UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeborah Koehler facilitated grants supporting residencies for Yale University Schools of Art, Music and Theater.
• Houston BalletminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeborah Koehler facilitated grants supporting residencies for Houston Ballet performers.
• Sheridan CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community college partnership for events, exhibitions, and student internships. Bird walks and artist talks held at Sheridan College.
• Sheridan Community Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Explore History Tours at Ucross Foundation headquarters and ranch.
• Bighorn Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for guided bird walks on Ucross ranch. Ucross received Important Bird Area designation in 2015 through Bighorn Audubon Society leadership.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MacDowell: Peterborough, NH-based artist residency (founded 1907) providing fully funded residencies to artists across disciplines. The closest peer to Ucross in mission, structure, and competitive positioning within the top tier of US artist residencies.
• Headlands Center for the Arts: Sausalito, CA-based artist residency housed in former military buildings in the Marin Headlands. Comparable residency model serving working artists with stipends, studio, and living space — competes for the same applicant pool as Ucross.
• Anderson Center: Red Wing, MN-based artist residency offering month-long residencies on a historic estate. Comparable mid-size fully-funded residency with multi-disciplinary artist focus and similar operational scale.
• The Ragdale Foundation: Lake Forest, IL-based residency program offering residencies to artists, writers, and composers on a historic estate. Comparable mid-size fully-funded residency with similar operational structure (studio, living accommodations, meals).
• Blue Mountain Center: Adirondack Mountains, NY-based residency offering fully funded retreats to artists and writers focused on social engagement. Comparable small, remote residency model with strong literary/cultural programming.
• Yaddo: Historic artist residency in Saratoga Springs, NY, founded 1926, offering fully funded residencies to writers, visual artists, composers, and performers. Directly comparable to Ucross as one of the most prestigious, fully-funded US artist residencies with a similarly distinguished alumni roster.

Broad incumbents

• Lannan Foundation: Santa Fe, NM-based family foundation supporting innovative work in literature, arts, and indigenous communities through grants, residencies, and cultural programming. Comparable as a private arts philanthropy supporting writers and artists with residency-adjacent programs.
• Sundance Institute: Park City, UT-based nonprofit supporting independent artists in film, theatre, and storytelling through labs, residencies, and fellowships. Comparable as a major US arts organization running residency-style programs; listed as a Ucross partner.
• Joan Mitchell Foundation: New York-based foundation providing grants, fellowships, and residencies to visual artists, including partnerships with residency programs. Comparable as a major arts grantmaker/fellowship funder though operating at a national scale rather than hosting its own residency.

Regional players

• Wyoming Arts Council: State agency providing grants and programs to support arts in Wyoming. Comparable as a public-sector funder of arts programming in Wyoming and an active partner of Ucross; does not host residencies but competes for the same state-level arts funding pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ucross Foundation