Author: Grodmen, Suzanne Koblentz

Publication Year: 1981

Media Type: Book

Summary:

The purpose of this report is to serve as a guide or manual for corporations, professional firms and businesses, of whatever size, regarding the numerous ways in which they can help cultural organizations and individual artists while at the same time promoting their own interests. Arts organizations should also be able to use this report in developing new ways to improve their relations with potential corporate supporters. While the report is based on the examples and experiences of New York City companies, the information it provides and the suggestions it makes are applicable to companies everywhere.

Abstract:

The purpose of this report is to serve as a guide or manual for corporations, professional firms and businesses, of whatever size, regarding the numerous ways in which they can help cultural organizations and individual artists while at the same time promoting their own interests. Arts organizations should also be able to use this report in developing new ways to improve their relations with potential corporate supporters. While the report is based on the examples and experiences of New York City companies, the information it provides and the suggestions it makes are applicable to companies everywhere.

The report discusses specific ways in which companies are now involved with the arts and cultural institutions, why they have undertaken these programs, and how they have structured and managed them. For those companies interested in beginning similar activities or expanding their current programs, the manual offers information and examples of companies now carrying out a number of functions:

• How they underwrite exhibitions, performances, and programs that, even on relatively small budgets, help the companies as well as the arts groups reach important audiences.
  
  
• How they use the corporate membership programs offered by some arts organizations to provide their employees with special advantages such as free museum admission or discount tickets.
  
  
• How they plan, administer, and evaluate the effectiveness of contributions programs, often with only a small contributions staff or none at all.
  
  
• How they advise cultural institutions on management problems and provide them with manpower through employee volunteer activities, and how they donate equipment or merchandise, give or lend the use of physical facilities, and provide pro bono services to needy institutions, all for little or no direct cost.
  
  
• How they stimulate increased giving to cultural institutions through matching gift programs. (Preface, p.7-8)

CONTENTS
Preface.
Examples of arts/business collaboration.
Who can use this guide.
Other ideas and information sources.
Current support levels.

1. Arts support: an investment with rich returns:

How to choose a project.
How companies can gain.
Large returns from smaller projects.
Advertising: Bringing it all together.

2. Corporate membership programs:

Services available to the company.
Privileges for designated employees.
Benefits for all employees.

3. Designing a contributions program:

Deciding to whom to give and why.
Deciding what types of grants to give.
Joint sponsorship of projects.
Size of grants.
Sources of funds for arts programs.
Tax deductions for contributions.
How to administer a contributions program.
Describing contributions policies and requirements.
Components of grant proposals.
Criteria for assessing proposals.
Evaluating the success of grants.
Sources of advice and assistance for companies.

4. Volunteers for the arts:

How volunteers can be used.
How to encourage volunteers.
Using volunteer placement organizations.
Developing In-House volunteer programs.
Adding incentives for volunteers.
Sources of advice and assistance.

5. Donating materials, space and services:

What materials cultural organizations need.
Direct donations to cultural organizations.
Donating materials through service agencies.
Donating space and facilities.
Temporary use of sites or buildings.
Donating special services.

6. Matching gifts programs:

Deciding which employees qualify.
Deciding which institutions qualify.
Setting criteria for types of matching gifts.
Choosing limits for matching gifts.
Deciding on matching ratios.
How to administer matching gifts programs.

7. Building an art collection:

What a corporate collection can include.
What costs are involved.
How art advisors can help.
Choosing an art advisor.
How to start the collection.
How to commission works of art.
Finding contemporary artists through artists registries.

8. Supporting individual artists:

Buying and commissioning art.
How to bring artists to the workplace.
Support services.
Jobs for artists.
Looking ahead.
Resources.
Corporate membership programs of New York City Cultural institutions.
Bibliography.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Private Sector