Autry Museum Of The American West

Los Angeles, CA

Museum dedicated to the diverse stories and cultures of the American West

Primary audience
General Public
Work area
Arts and Culture
Topic
American West History
Contact
Stephen Aron
Website Contact

About Organization

The Autry Museum presents exhibitions, public programs, and educational outreach exploring the American West through multiple perspectives. Based in Los Angeles, CA, the organization operates with 176 employees and reported $12.0 million in revenue for 2024. Programs include lectures, film screenings, theater performances, festivals, family events, and scholarly research.

What They Focus On

Cultural Preservation

Conserving artifacts, artworks, and historical materials documenting the diverse peoples of the American West

Inclusive Storytelling

Presenting multiple perspectives and narratives that represent all communities who shaped Western history

Community Engagement

Creating accessible public programs, exhibitions, and educational experiences connecting past with present

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 — — — —
2024 $11,958,406 $21,652,677 $179,864,026 176
2023 — — — —
2023 $7,376,184 $20,517,174 $184,725,510 183
2022 — — — —
2022 $6,234,988 $19,388,869 $192,656,383 192
2020 — — — —
2020 $7,406,490 $19,325,314 $221,261,500 193
2019 $21,699,026 $20,577,802 $236,668,640 219
2018 $15,438,641 $16,834,277 $237,438,503 225

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Collect and Preserve

    Acquire and conserve artifacts, documents, and cultural materials from American West history

  • 02

    Research and Interpret

    Conduct scholarly analysis to develop inclusive narratives representing all Western peoples

  • 03

    Present and Exhibit

    Create exhibitions and programs making Western history accessible to diverse audiences

  • 04

    Engage and Educate

    Connect communities through events, outreach, and educational initiatives inspiring shared understanding

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Autry Museum Of The American West

Exhibitions

Curated displays presenting diverse narratives and artifacts from American West history and culture

Public Programs

Lectures, film screenings, theater performances, festivals, and music events connecting past and present

Educational Outreach

Community engagement and learning initiatives bringing Western history to diverse audiences

Research and Scholarship

Academic study and conservation of artifacts, documents, and stories of the American West

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Autry Museum Of The American West.

SA

Stephen Aron

President & CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $334,418
GB

Gaspare Benso

VP Of Finance & Op.
Full-time
Compensation: $227,630
JS

Jennifer Samsel

Sr. Director, Major Gifts
Full-time
Compensation: $163,267
PH

Patrick Heustess

Sr. Director, Corp & Major Gifts
Full-time
Compensation: $131,798
MF

Maria Florio

Sr. Director, Fdn & Govt Giving
Full-time
Compensation: $118,732
MG

Michael Garcia

Director Of Facilities
Full-time
Compensation: $106,644
CH

Cristian Hamilton

VP Of Advancement
Full-time
Compensation: $196,282
LL

Lalena Lewark

VP Exhibition & Collection Mgmt
Full-time
Compensation: $154,038
JD

Joe D Horse Capture

VP Native Collec & Ahmanson Curator
Full-time
Compensation: $152,317
AS

Amy Scott

EVP, Research & Interpretation
Full-time
Compensation: $148,916
DB

Dean Beresford

Finance Committee Chairman
1 hrs/week
GS

Gary Schneider

Audit Committee Chairman
1 hrs/week
GB

Gaspare Benso

VP Of Finance & Op.

Milestones

2019

Record Revenue Year

2019

Reached peak revenue of $21.7 million with 219 employees serving the community

2024

Post-Pandemic Recovery

2024

Revenue increased to $12.0 million following pandemic challenges and organizational adaptation

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AF
Alan F Horn Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
AW
Alan Whitman Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
AB
Ali Bastani Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BS
Brenda Stevenson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CB
Calvin B Gross Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CG
Carole Goldberg Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CS
Caryll S Mingst Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CA
Colleen A Caballero Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CL
Colleen Lee Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DW
David W Cartwright Vice Chair & Secretary 1.00 hrs/week
FJ
Federico Jimenez Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
GW
Grant Withers Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
GM
Greg Martin Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JA
Jacqueline Autry Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JR
James R Parks Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JR
James Rea Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JN
Jane Nakagawa Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JH
Jay H Grodin Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JR
Jodie Rea Chair 1.00 hrs/week
JZ
Johnny Zamrzla Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KW
Keith W Renken Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
LR
Lois R Rice Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
LV
Lynn Valbuena Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MC
Marian Craver Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MH
Michael Heumann Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
PC
Patricia Chavez Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RD
Rebecca Dutka Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RB
Robert Barton Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RL
Roberta L Turner Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
SR
Sharon Rogers-McKay Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
SS
Stanley Schneider Treasurer 1.00 hrs/week
TC
Theodore Craver Jr Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
TL
Thomas L Lee Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
VC
Vince Caballero Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DB
Dean Beresford Finance Committee Chairman
GS
Gary Schneider Audit Committee Chairman

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$1.9M

Highest Paid

$348K

Stephen Aron

Compensated Officers

10

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Stephen Aron President & CEO $334,418 $13,819 $348,237 40
Gaspare Benso CFO & EVP Of Business Operations $227,630 $43,154 $270,784 40
Cristian Hamilton VP Of Advancement $196,282 $35,286 $231,568 40
Joe D Horse Capture VP Native Collec & Ahmanson Curator $152,317 $23,945 $176,262 40
Jennifer Samsel SR. Director, Major Gifts $163,267 $12,026 $175,293 40
Amy Scott EVP, Research & Interpretation $148,916 $23,061 $171,977 40
Lalena Lewark VP Exhibition & Collection MGMT $154,038 $14,379 $168,417 40
Patrick Heustess SR. Director, Corp & Major Gifts $131,798 $13,773 $145,571 40
Maria Florio SR. Director, FDN & GOVT Giving $118,732 $24,713 $143,445 40
Michael Garcia Director Of Facilities $106,644 $10,192 $116,836 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$134K Grants Received
5 Organizations

Top Funders

5 total
FP
First Peoples Fund
$50K
FF
Foundation For Advancement In
$37K
TF
Tides Foundation
$24K
MS
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc.
$15K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$8K
First Peoples Fund Foundation For Advancement In Tides Foundation Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
First Peoples Fund Foundation For Advancement In Tides Foundation Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with Autry Museum Of The American West

Phone

(323) 495-4279
Visit Website
4700 Western Heritage Way Los Angeles, CA 90027