Inclusion of Multicultural Perspectives in Art, Culture & Theater
Diversity gives cultural institutions new vitality, increased earning potential and the advantage of "first perspective" as they seek to fulfill their missions and deepen connections to communities of color. The now completed three-year IMPACT Project, 2007-09, directly assisted major participating cultural institutions in their ongoing efforts to recruit board members who reflect the diversity of the Chicago area by introducing them to eligible and qualified board candidates of color. IMPACT focused on the needs of both board candidates and participating arts organizations to maximize the potential for meaningful connections.
As a result of the three-year IMPACT Project, nine persons of color were placed on the boards of six of the participating cultural organizations by winter, 2009. The completed program is no longer accepting new candidates or participating institutions.
For information about A&BC's continuing arts board training and placement program, On BOARD, follow these links: On BOARD for volunteers trains business volunteers for board service with arts organizations. On BOARD for Arts Organizations helps match organizations with prospective new board members.
Participating IMPACT Institutions, 2007-2009
- Adler Planetarium*
- Brookfield Zoo*
- Chicago Architecture Foundation*
- Chicago Botanic Garden
- Chicago Children’s Museum
- Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
- Goodman Theatre
- Hubbard Street Dance Chicago*
- Kohl Children’s Museum
- Lincoln Park Zoo*
- Merit School of Music*
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Music Institute of Chicago
- Shedd Aquarium
* Institutions Receiving Board Placements via IMPACT
An independent written evaluation of the IMPACT project is available in pdf format. IMPACT Evaluation Report.pdf The status of any post-IMPACT initiatives that might emerge from the evaluation will be reported via the A&BC website on this and other relevant pages.
Lead support for the IMPACT project was provided by The Joyce Foundation, with additional support from the Chicago Community Trust and Boeing.
TheJoyceFoundation 
The Boeing Company
