Concerned Citizens of the Temple Theatre
The Temple Theatre: what the public record shows
Records current through October 31, 2026. Every item is labeled by how we know it.
How to read this page
The Temple Theatre belongs to this community, and people are being asked to support it during a closure. This page collects what is on the record so that anyone can check it for themselves. It does not tell you what to think about any person.
- Public record Filed with or issued by a government body: IRS Forms 990, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), the Vernon County Register of Deeds, or the Vernon County Circuit Court. Anyone can look these up.
- Organization document The organization's own bylaws, minutes, or letters, obtained by community members. We have reviewed them but cannot verify them beyond the document itself.
- Our reading A conclusion we drew from the records. Others may read them differently.
- Open question Something we have not confirmed. We do not treat it as fact.
We are not neutral about one thing: we want the Temple to succeed under open, accountable governance. That position is stated in one marked place (Our position). Everything else here is meant to be checkable. Where we are unsure, we say so. If we have something wrong, tell us and we will correct it publicly.
Snapshot
Net assets
$1,739,175 to $771,221
From 2011 to August 2025, a drop of about 56 percent.
Public recordOperating results
A loss in all five periods we reviewed
About $499,000 in total across 2017 and fiscal 2022 to 2025. Other years are not yet reviewed.
Public recordCash vs. advance sales (Aug 31, 2025)
$26,552 vs. $70,552
Cash on hand compared with advance ticket sales owed for future shows.
Public recordCredit lines
Up to $50,000 and up to $90,000
Two revolving mortgages to Bank of Cashton, signed November 2025 and July 2026. These are limits, not balances.
Public recordState filings
$2,881.44 tax warrant
Docketed October 5, 2026. DFI listed the organization as delinquent on October 1, 2026.
Public recordBoard size
Appears to be four
The 2016 bylaws require 9 to 17 directors. The 2023 bylaws require at least 5. No current roster has been published.
Our readingTimeline
- Dec 2, 1994 The organization, now called Associates of the Restored Temple Theatre (ARTT), is incorporated. Its articles refer membership provisions to the bylaws. Public record
Register of Deeds, doc. 346721 - June 1995 The Vernon County Historical Society (VCHS) deeds the Temple to ARTT. Public record
Register of Deeds, doc. 349571 - Feb 2009 ARTT buys the adjoining north strip, now the vacant Encore storefront, for about $70,000. Public record
Register of Deeds, doc. 449703 - Nov 9, 2016 Members adopt bylaws stating that "the government of this organization is vested in its members." Organization document
- 2017 The return reports $329,323 in donor-restricted net assets. Later returns do not show them, and we have not found where they went. Open question
Form 990, calendar 2017 - Nov 17, 2019 The most recent annual meeting of members for which we have minutes. Six directors are elected by voice vote. Organization document
- Feb 12, 2020 The board renames memberships "Friends of the Theatre." No member vote is recorded. Organization document
Board minutes - 2023 to Mar 2024 Tax-exempt status lapses and is later reinstated (March 2024, per the IRS records we reviewed). Earlier community notes put the start of the lapse in 2022. We have not reconciled the dates. Open question
- May 25, 2023 The board ratifies new bylaws stating "There shall be no members of the Corporation." The new bylaws place the executive director on the Executive and Nominating Committees. Organization document
- June 5 to 12, 2023 An articles amendment eliminating members takes effect June 5 and is filed with DFI June 12. Public record
DFI, Form 104 - Sept 27, 2023 Board minutes authorize a $30,000 withdrawal from endowment principal. Organization document
- Aug 31, 2025 Fiscal 2025 ends with a $106,241 loss, $26,552 in cash, and $70,552 in advance ticket sales. Public record
Form 990, FY2025 - Nov 2025 First Bank of Cashton line of credit, up to $50,000, is signed. Recorded December 2025. Public record
- Apr 22, 2026 In a WXOW interview, the executive director says tickets are at about 60 percent of pre-pandemic levels, concessions are down 80 percent, and the future "could be in jeopardy." Public record
WXOW television - July 8 and 13, 2026 The board president resigns on July 8. On July 13, the second Bank of Cashton line, up to $90,000, is signed. Its legal description covers the Encore storefront. Public record
- Oct 1 and 5, 2026 DFI lists the organization as delinquent. A state sales tax warrant of $2,881.44 is docketed in Vernon County Circuit Court (case 2026TW000051). Public record
- About Oct 20, 2026 ARTT announces an "intermission," cancels upcoming events, and asks for donations. As we read the announcement, it does not state the specific repairs, their cost, a fundraising goal, or a reopening date. Our reading
Finances
These figures come from ARTT's IRS Forms 990. Years 2016 and 2017 are calendar years; fiscal 2022 and later run September through August. Fiscal 2018 to 2021 have not yet been reviewed. Public record
| Period | Contributions | Total revenue | Total expenses | Operating result | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $80,222 | $171,179 | $184,547 | -$13,368 | $1,574,009 |
| 2017 | $23,134 | $103,155 | $207,004 | -$103,849 | $1,470,160 |
| FY2022 | $3,956 | $64,253 | $151,233 | -$86,980 | $1,084,276 |
| FY2023 | $4,484 | $249,399 | $367,332 | -$117,933 | $966,390 |
| FY2024 | $24,895 | $284,117 | $368,510 | -$84,393 | $876,862 |
| FY2025 | $24,639 | $233,507 | $339,748 | -$106,241 | $771,221 |
Net assets were $1,739,175 in 2011. The drop to $771,221 in August 2025 is $967,954, or about 56 percent.
Context that matters
- The pandemic and the recovery. Program revenue rose from $55,122 in fiscal 2022 to $256,624 in fiscal 2024 as shows resumed. Expenses rose faster.
- Depreciation is part of each loss. Roughly $50,000 a year is non-cash depreciation. Before depreciation, the fiscal 2025 loss was about $55,640 and the fiscal 2024 loss was about $34,442. The losses are real, but they are smaller on a cash basis than the headline figures.
- Fiscal 2025 got worse. Theatre performance revenue fell about 21 percent, from $227,349 to $179,134. Performance revenue less performance costs went from a $11,846 surplus to a $16,662 shortfall.
- Cash is thin. Cash and investments fell from $42,278 (August 2024) to $26,552 (August 2025), while advance sales owed rose from $24,503 to $70,552. Liquid assets less advance sales owed were about negative $44,000.
- Donations are a small share of revenue. Contributions were about 9 percent of revenue in fiscal 2024 and about 11 percent in fiscal 2025. Our reading
- Compensation on the fiscal 2025 return does not reconcile. Part VII lists every officer at $0, while line 5 reports $29,196 in compensation of officers and key employees. We do not know the explanation. Open question
Debts and claims
| Item | Amount | What we know | How we know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of Cashton revolving mortgage, Nov 2025 | Up to $50,000 | A credit limit. The property it covers is not yet confirmed. The amount drawn is unknown. | Public record |
| Bank of Cashton revolving mortgage, July 2026 | Up to $90,000 | A credit limit. The legal description covers the Encore storefront. It also grants a security interest in fixtures, rents, and personal property tied to the property. The amount drawn is unknown. | Public record |
| State sales tax warrant | $2,881.44 | $2,323.51 tax, $242.93 interest, $315.00 penalties. Docketed Oct 5, 2026, case 2026TW000051. | Public record |
| Advance ticket sales | $70,552 (Aug 31, 2025) | Most of those shows were delivered by spring 2026. The amount outstanding today is unknown. Refunds may be owed for events canceled in October 2026. | Public record Our reading |
| Gift certificates outstanding | $7,075 (Aug 31, 2025) | Reported as a liability on the fiscal 2025 return. | Public record |
We do not add these up, because the mortgage figures are maximum credit limits, not amounts borrowed. The intermission announcement, as we read it, did not mention either mortgage or the tax warrant. We have not seen board minutes authorizing either mortgage. Open question
Membership and governance
ARTT was formed in 1994 as a membership organization. In 2023 its board adopted bylaws and filed an amendment stating it has no members. The two sets of bylaws read as follows. Organization document
| 2016 bylaws (adopted by members) | 2023 bylaws (ratified by the board) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who governs | "The government of this organization is vested in its members." | "There shall be no members of the Corporation." |
| Board | 9 to 17 directors, elected by members at the annual meeting. Quorum of 5. | Self-perpetuating board, minimum 5. The executive director sits on the Executive and Nominating Committees. Directors limited to two consecutive three-year terms. |
| Annual meeting | Annual meeting of members required. | The bylaws call for an annual meeting each year. Since there are no members, no member vote or notice is provided for. |
| Changing the bylaws | Written board proposal at the annual meeting, then a two-thirds vote of members present. The board cannot repeal member-adopted bylaws on its own. | Ratified by the board. |
What the filings say, and where they differ
- The June 2023 amendment filed with DFI states that ARTT has no members. Public record
- ARTT's IRS Forms 990 for fiscal 2023, 2024, and 2025 each answer "yes" to having members and "yes" to members electing the governing body. The fiscal 2024 return also states that membership dues were collected. Public record
- These descriptions are hard to reconcile. We do not know which is accurate, who the members are today, or how a person can join. Our reading
- We have found no record of a members' meeting, a notice to members, or a member vote connected to the 2023 change. We have not seen minutes showing who attended the board meeting that approved it or how each vote was cast. Open question
- On our count, two of the four apparent directors have served longer than the six consecutive years the 2023 bylaws allow, based on tax returns and minutes. Our reading
- ARTT's Form 990 reports that one director is the father of the executive director, and the executive director sits on the committees that choose directors under the 2023 bylaws. Whether that creates a conflict is for the board and its members to judge. Public record
The building
- The 1995 deed. If ARTT dissolves, the future of the theatre and building is to be decided by a three-person panel: one VCHS representative, one ARTT representative, and a third person. The deed named Fred Nelson for the third seat. He has died, so we read the deed as calling for a third person chosen jointly. Public record Our reading
- No stated limit on mortgaging. As we read it, the 1995 deed does not restrict mortgaging the property. Our reading
- The articles on dissolution. Article 11 of the articles provides that, on dissolution, assets go to purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the tax code or to a government for a public purpose, and that anything else is disposed of by the circuit court. Public record
- The Encore storefront. It was acquired separately in 2009 and is not part of the 1995 deed. It was leased for one year in 2019. Its current condition is unknown to us. Open question
- The Temple itself. The announcement cites building system failures. We do not know what failed, what it will cost, whether the building is heated and winterized, or whether it is fully insured. Open question
Possible paths
Nobody outside the board can know yet which of these is realistic. Both depend on facts only the organization holds. Our reading
1. The organization dissolves
This could happen by a vote, by a court, or by the state if filings stay delinquent long enough. The articles and the 1995 deed would then govern where the building goes. A new organization could potentially receive it through that process. Dissolution is not quick: debts come first, the bank and the state would have to be paid or settled, and the building could sit cold in the meantime.
2. The organization is rebuilt
Membership is restored, members elect a full board, the books are opened and reviewed independently, and the debts are worked out or refinanced. This keeps the Temple's name, history, and tax status. It also inherits the mortgages, the tax warrant, any IRS corrections, and the loss of trust. It works only if the current board agrees to bring members back in.
Our position
This section is opinion, not record. We believe the Temple is best served by:
- A membership with a real vote and an annual meeting that actually happens.
- A full board drawn from across the community, with term limits and a written conflict-of-interest policy.
- Published budgets and regular financial reports, and an independent review of the books.
- A written plan for caring for the historic building.
- Accessible pricing, an accessible building, and easy ways to take part for everyone in the community.
We are not asking anyone to take sides against a person. We are asking for a structure that works for the community the Temple serves.
Questions we would like answered
None of these costs money, and most healthy nonprofits answer them as a matter of course.
- Who are the members today, and how does someone join? When is the next annual meeting?
- What did the board decide in 2023 about the membership, who attended, and how did each person vote? Can the minutes be shared?
- How much has been drawn on each line of credit, what was it spent on, and which board votes approved the borrowing?
- What failed in the building, what will it cost, is it heated and insured, and what is the condition of the Encore storefront?
- Where are the restricted gifts: the $329,323 in donor-restricted net assets reported in 2017, the marquee fund ($37,836 raised by February 2020, per board minutes), and the endowment?
- How will ticket and gift-certificate holders be refunded for canceled events, and when will the sales tax and state filings be brought current?
- Does the board have a written conflict-of-interest policy, and does the full board review each tax return before filing?
- Can the compensation figures on the fiscal 2025 return be reconciled?
- Can the board make a public statement or hold a public meeting?
What we have not confirmed
- Recording numbers and attachments for both mortgages, and the balances on both lines.
- The exact dates of the tax-exempt status lapse.
- Annual reports filed with DFI since 2021, and Forms 990 for fiscal 2018 to 2021.
- Current building insurance status.
Sources
You can check every public-record item yourself:
- IRS Forms 990: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, search "Associates of the Restored Temple Theatre." Any tax-exempt organization must provide its last three returns on request.
- State corporate records: Wisconsin DFI business entity search, entity ID A033017.
- Deeds and mortgages: Vernon County Register of Deeds, documents 346721 (1994 articles), 349571 (1995 deed), and 449703 (2009 deed), plus the two Bank of Cashton mortgages.
- Tax warrant: Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP), Vernon County case 2026TW000051.
- News: WXOW television interview, April 22, 2026.
Corrections and right of reply
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, write to us at [CONTACT EMAIL] and we will correct it publicly and note the date of the change.
ARTT's board and staff are invited to send a statement. We will publish it in full, unedited, alongside this page.
About us
Concerned Citizens of the Temple Theatre is a group of community members who want the Temple to thrive. [CONFIRM AND DESCRIBE THE GROUP: for example, former ARTT board members, original donors, local business owners.]
We are not affiliated with ARTT or the Historic Temple Theatre, and we are not collecting donations. We disclose these interests so you can weigh what we say:
- A volunteer who contributed research to this page serves on the board of the Vernon County Historical Society, which deeded the Temple to ARTT in 1995 and would name one member of the deed's dissolution panel.
- This site is hosted by Fourthstream Net Inc, a Viroqua nonprofit. In 2023 Fourthstream approached the Temple about using it as a rain venue for its events. [CONFIRM WITH THE FOURTHSTREAM BOARD: describe any role Fourthstream has discussed in the Temple's recovery.]
Last updated November 4, 2026. Records current through October 31, 2026. This page presents public records and community-obtained documents for information. It is not legal advice.