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, who 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). Read more

Professionally, I help organizations to be sustainable through their people processes. I value people learning and having fun while they get results. I am a Talent Management and Organization Development Leader with extensive experience in the Healthcare, Consumer Products and Government sectors. I have worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield, Quaker, Pepsico, and the Internal Revenue Service. My introduction to the Arts & Business Council of Chicago sprang from a brief, and seemingly casual conversation Read more

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC) strives over time to provide each of its arts organization clients with a carefully thought-out sequence of services that coincides with the group’s capacity, developmental stage and increasing proficiency—what we like to call a “continuum of care.” An excellent example is A&BC’s ongoing relationship with Chicago’s Oistrach Symphony Orchestra (OSO). Read more

A&BC is pleased to announce the formal launch of its latest FREE consulting service to individual arts managers and executives. Read more

How a BVA Business Plan helped Chicago Mosaic School focus its goals Read more

National Volunteer Week is the perfect time to spotlight how A&BC’s Business Volunteers for the Arts are making a difference throughout Chicago’s cultural community. Read more

Training business volunteers leads to stronger outcomes. Read more

There are many reasons why people volunteer. Some of A&BC’s BVAs share why they do it. Read more

The benefits of a BVA business plan project. Read more

BVA Program Manager Katie Kurcz shares her insights on the BVA program and the volunteers at the heart of its success. Read more