Author: Stewart, Gordon

Publication Year: 1970

Media Type: Book

Summary:

Abstract:

Statistics show that over-all business support for the arts is growing. But that does not necessarily mean that every theatre and dance company in America has gotten support. Eight out of ten companies may give something to the arts, but eight out of ten arts groups have probably not received contributions from business.

However, that is a conclusion, and this brief report is not intended to present conclusions, only a little information.

Some two dozen arts organizations were questioned about their success or failure with business in the hope that others involved in the same process might find their experience useful. The list was not compiled as a statistical sample. It is not representative in terms of geography or genre.

Each arts group trying to insure its survival seeks support in its own way, compatible with its own needs, principles and goals. Corporations have their own reasons for contributing to one organization, interviewing but refusing another, or not responding to requests at all. Coincidences - fortunate and unfortunate - are frequent. Conclusions drawn from these comments would be difficult to support, but perhaps ideas drawn from them will support some successful actions on the part of both givers and seekers.

1. Have you ever approached business for support? If so, how did you go about it, on what basis did you decide which companies to approach, what problems did you encounter?
   
   Almost all of the groups interviewed had approached business for support at one time or another.
   
   
   
2. Why do you think your approach succeeded or failed?
   
   The widest possible variety of explanations was given for the success or failure of both mass campaigns and individual approaches. Occasionally, the reason given by one organization for its success was the one to which another attributed failure.
   
   
   
3. Why do you expect a corporation to support your organization?
   
   The rationales offered by the groups questioned ranged from direct corporate self-interest to long range improvement in the quality of life. Some had elaborated their reasoning carefully over a long period of time. Others change it to fit the needs of each situation. Many try to present as wide a range of appeals as possible. A few simply ask that their work speak for itself.
   
   
   
4. Would you rather have support from (a) individuals, (b) foundation, (c) government (d) corporation? Why?
   
   Most of those questioned did not express any preference in principle for one form of support as opposed to another. Some see corporations as being particularly useful in terms of general support, others in terms of specific projects.
   
   
   
5. Do you see any artistic problems in business support as opposed to any other form of support?
   
   Very few reservations about artistic interference or censorship were put forward, perhaps because, as one director suggested, Business is very unlikely to be involved in the first place with any area of the arts that might be socially or morally controversial. Several others pointed out that most of their corporate contributions were for such small amounts that they could hardly expect company executives to become involved with artistic problems.
   
   
   
6. Do you feel a business should use its support for its public relations value?
   
   This question was expanded to include other benefits to the company - direct sales, employee relations, use of company products, etc.
   
   
   
7. Could you use any form of support from business other than money?
   
   Almost all of the groups questioned were using and/or requesting forms of aid from business other than cash. It is impossible to list all of the forms this aid has taken or to assess its dollar value. For some organizations, such support has meant the difference between success and failure, for others it is a useful supplement, and many have become aware of its value as an aid to their own fund-raising programs.
   
   
   
8. Do you believe there is an inevitable antagonism or conflict between business and the arts?
   
   This was a poor - or at least poorly put - question. Some people who were certain here that there was no necessary antagonism were the most hostile towards businesses in some of their other answers. In the same way, some of those who theorize the greatest antagonism have developed the most practical working relationships.
   
   
   
9. Do you have the impression business interest in the arts is substantial and/or growing?
   
   Without exception, every person asked felt that business interest in the arts had been increasing over the past few years. Many felt, however, that interest had not yet been fully transformed into willingness to act.
   
   
   
10. If you feel business support should be increased, how do you suggest going about it?
    
    Answers to this question generally came in two forms - what the groups themselves might do and what they felt the Business Committee for the Arts might do - mostly the second.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Private Sector