BVA Preconference Wrap-up
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Travel Information - Agenda - BVA Preconference Wrap-up
Changing Communities/Evolving Best Practices: Innovations in Arts & Business Programs
The Arts & Business Council annual Affiliate Meeting brought the national office of the Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts together with the network of Arts & Business Council chapters and local program partners to explore critical issues affecting their organizations and programs. Best practices and innovative programs were shared, and professional development sessions were offered.
Affiliates of the Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts include organizations that operate the Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA) program, the National Arts Marketing Project (NAMP), and the MetLife Foundation National Arts Forum Series, as well as Arts & Business Council chapters. Both board and staff attended, as did those organizations that are on their way to establishing themselves as a site for one of the Arts & Business Council programs.
For additional information on the BVA Preconference, to receive lecture notes as
well as speaker information, please contact Jay House or Julie Peeler
or call 212.223.2787.
June 1, 2006
State of the Affiliates Address, Gary P. Steuer, Vice President of Private-Sector Affairs and Executive Director of the Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts
Gary covered a variety of issues including a merger update that addressed how ABC programs might expand their reach via the UAF network and how ABC/BVAs can be more active in this process; what’s next in replicable programs; a status report of the branding/messaging project and expected marketing support from Americans for the Arts; suggestions for making the case to business and individual givers; potential for a national funder/sponsor of BVA; and a big picture view of arts and business partnerships.
BVA 101: Establishing an Effective Business Volunteers for the Arts Program
BVA program managers discussed logistics of start-up as well as actual problems faced by established BVA programs. This session was designed for new BVA managers as well as for those organizations considering adding this program to their stable of offerings. There was a simultaneous session of UAF 101 for those organizations considering starting an employee giving program in their city.
Presenters: Michael Boberg, Associate Director, Arts Services Office, Fine Arts Fund, Cincinnati; Wai Look, BVA Manager, Arts & Business Council of New York; Laura Bruney, Executive Director, Arts & Business Council of Miami; Julie Peeler, Vice President of Arts & Business Programs, Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts
Research Report: What Do We Know about Who We Are and What We Do? What Do We Need to Know?
Randy Cohen presented new statistics on 2005 activities and addressed broader issues of private-sector support.
Presenter: Randy I. Cohen, Vice President, Research and Information, Americans for the Arts
The Importance of Relevant Messaging (Part One): The Big Picture—Making the Case for the Arts
How can we make an effective case for the value of the arts to business communities at large? Anne Katz and Jim Armstrong discussed the success of the Grow Wisconsin Creatively PSA campaign currently making the case in Wisconsin. They stressed the need for the mission to be the cause for communicating the entire campaign.
Presenters: Anne Katz, Executive Director, Arts Wisconsin, Madison, WI; and Jim Armstrong, Creative Director of Good for Business, Madison, WI
Resources: www.goodforbusiness.com and www.artswisconsin.org
The Importance of Relevant Messaging (Part Two): The Local Level—Making the Case for Your Arts & Business Council This session reviewed the new branding scheme for Americans for the Arts and showed how ABCs and BVAs fit into the plan. The group agreed to work to develop messaging systems for both programs so the network can begin speaking with one voice in order to help build a national brand. Attendees were asked to bring ABC/BVA case statements and public messaging from marketing materials or grant/sponsorship proposals.
Presenters: Julie Peeler, Vice President of Arts & Business Programs, Americans for the Arts; Neill Archer Roan, The Roan Group, Bethesda, MD
June 2, 2006
A Corporate Conversation: The Changing Dynamics of Corporate Giving
Edward Zore and the Northwest Mutual Foundation believe in supporting the arts to improve the quality of life in the community. Employees are attracted by a stimulating environment and want to work for companies that support the community. Voluntarism was highly encouraged in addition to contributions.
Presenter: Edward J. Zore, President and CEO of Northwestern Mutual, Milwaukee, WI; Gil Llanas, Director of Community Relations, Northwestern Mutual Foundation
BVA Best Practices Project: A Report to the Field
A committee of BVA program managers and national staff has been working on determining the best practices in each of the key functional areas of the BVA program (initially presented in 2005 by Suzanne Jenkins of ABC/Boston). The group worked together to refine the findings, then brainstormed on how these practices can be disseminated among the affiliates, and how they can inform the training of new BVA directors and the development of new BVA affiliates.
Presenters: Suzanne Jenkins, Program Manager, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston; Jay House, Private-Sector Programs Coordinator, Americans for the Arts
Keynote Lunch: So, we think we're in the business of creativity?
Tim Decker explored the creative process through cartooning exercises. He also addressed how we as arts groups and as individuals can better capture and deliver a creative advantage to our communities.
Presenter: Tim Decker, Creative Director and former award-winning Animation Director/Art Manager of Disney Interactive/Buena Vista Games
Volunteer Development
This session looked at the work of volunteer cultivation, from single-event volunteer to Business Volunteers for the Arts to campaign manager to board member. Karen Davis focused on national programs for volunteer and board training and placement while Patrick Rath spoke of specific efforts on the local level.
Presenters: Karen Davis, President and CEO, Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, PA; and Patrick Rath, Vice President of Development/Campaign Director, United Performing Arts Fund, Milwaukee, WI
Programs: Past, Present, and Future
Among the more popular sessions at our annual meeting is Program Sharing. We’ve already discussed the BVA Program, now in its 30th year of operation and continually evolving to meet market needs. Now let’s look at innovative programs developed by affiliates. This year we will hear from ABC/Miami on its new partnership with the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs for board development, from BAC/San Francisco about its new board development program, and from ABC/Boston on its Artists Professional Toolbox, among others. The session will culminate in a brainstorming session on the needs of the arts community and how the national staff can help develop and find funding for new programs.
Presenters: Laura Bruney, ABC/Miami; and Debbie Margol, Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs