Arts & Business Council

Individual artists have an impact on a given community through the dynamic aspects of their work and the realization of their creative vision. Often these artists have a lot of people assisting in the delivery of their art. They may be associated with an arts organization. They may have production and administrative teams dedicated to helping them achieve their vision, not to mention the support of family and friends. And, if they are lucky, there may be a cadre of patrons and donors who believe in what they do.

There is another cohort of individuals, more than 200 strong, which taken together also has a large impact on Chicago’s arts community—the many dedicated people from the business community who donate their time and talent to assisting arts organizations every day as Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA).  

During A&BC’s most recent fiscal year, the skilled volunteers in our BVA program donated professional pro-bono consulting to small and medium size arts organizations throughout the Chicago area valued at $230,160 (figure calculated using the $120 per hour rate recommended by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy). If our arts organization clients were to hire professional services on their own, they would most likely end up paying an even higher rate—or, more likely, not hire such services at all given their budget limitations. The BVA volunteers, on the other hand, are available to arts groups for a nominal fee.

Working closely with A&BC’s consultants, artists and arts groups of all types, sizes and stages of development have been able to better define their goals and identify strategies and plans/procedures to help them achieve greater organizational stability and sustainability. Indeed, several arts organizations have benefited from sequential projects through the BVA program as they work systematically and deliberately to address various aspects of their organizational development.

Here’s how one arts administrator describes his organization’s BVA project:

“This whole BVA project/process has been a bit of a marvel! It provided us with timely skills and brought increased balance to how we work.  We feel positioned for success and now have a roadmap for our future direction.”

 - Joseph Houseal, Artistic & Executive Director, Core of Culture Dance Preservation

Working on projects ranging from Strategic, Business and Marketing Plans to Financial Systems and Human Resource Policies, Chicago arts organizations have taken the initiative to improve their business management and planning by working with BVA volunteers. The program draws skilled individuals from companies such as IBM, McKinsey & Company, Abbott Laboratories, Doblin Group, KPMG and many, many others. It’s heartening to know that individuals and companies throughout the city support such community involvement and often have formal programs in place that facilitate volunteering. Our Programs Department will work directly with companies who are interested in identifying opportunities for their employees.

Many of our volunteers also find their way to us on their own as they seek ways to give back to their community while enhancing their leadership skills and applying their knowledge to new challenges. In fact, during any given year many of our consultants willingly participate in multiple projects. And, by participating in additional training, they can gain opportunities to lead a team and to further enhance their skills.

“All of my BVA cohorts have been great project partners, and I also have enjoyed every client, personally and professionally. Each project has been challenging in its own way, but rewarding for both the BVA team and (I hope!) the client. I have learned so much from the arts organizations, my fellow BVAs and also the Arts & Business Council staff.”

 

 -  Jennifer Harris, BVA and Principal, Harris Associates

 

Business Volunteers for the Arts is the founding program of A&BC and has been in operation for over 25 years. Thanks to a dedicated corps of skilled business professionals and the leadership of Katie Kurcz, Program Manager, the program is as robust and vital as ever. We have already trained 37 new consultants this year, adding to the 63 that were trained in 2010. As of this writing, there are approximately 90 consultants actively engaged on projects. The program is on pace toward having a year of particularly strong impact on the Chicago arts community.

Contact A&BC to find out how to join the BVA program as a business volunteer. The next consultant orientation session date is on October 7^th with applications due by Friday, September 23^rd. Arts clients can apply for projects at any time. If your organization is not yet a client and has not met with our team, contact A&BC for details.

If you are interested in participating in our BVA program, or for more information, please contact Katie Kurcz, (312) 372-1876 x229. A special thanks to the Polk Bros. Foundation for their generous support of the BVA program.