arts & business council

MetLife Foundation National Arts Forums Series

Arts & Business Council of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Taking the Torch: Young Professionals Learn from Leaders
01/14/2004

Moderator: Craig R. Hamilton, WHYY

Panelists:

• Maida Milone, Executive Director, Creative Artists Network
• Michael Donato, Vice President, Patriot Bank, SBA
• Naomi Grabel, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
• Whitney Hunter, Vice President, Leasing and Management, Jones Lang LaSalle

Forum Goals:

The following goals are targeted to the young professionals attending this forum:

• Understand why it is good business to support the arts
• Learn about the personal and professional rewards for arts participation
• Showcase examples of successful professionals who have used participation in the arts to further their careers or their company’s interests
• Highlight the many different ways to be involved

Forum Content:

Part One: Presenter’s Remarks
The forum opened with a presentation by Mr. Mills, who made the following points about participation in the arts as a board member and through company support in his introductory remarks: The majority of the audience represented the business community, so it was relevant that Mr. Mills explained the concept, "what’s good for the arts is good for the region, which is good for business." He emphasized that the arts create a vibrant, diverse community that encourages an active social and cultural life for its residents.

By discussing his own career path and why PNC has supported various arts events and institutions, Mr. Mills revealed how partnerships were developed with a strategy in mind—aligning arts support with personal passion and developing long-lasting relationships where impact is far-reaching.

Mr. Mills identified the challenges and rewards involved with arts support/participation. An interesting combination of challenge/reward is that the most powerful results are realized over a period of time. To effect change and make a difference, professionals need to find the right fit of their interests and skills with an arts organization’s mission and needs. When that is reciprocal, mutually beneficial relationships are established and then expanded over time, and all involved reap rewards that may not have been experienced without that partnership.

There are many different levels of participation, explained Mr. Mills. He pointed to the various programs of the Arts & Business Council—ranging from Business On Board^®, which recruits, trains, and places senior-level business executives as board members with arts organizations, to Business Volunteers for the Arts^®, which matches business professionals with managerial experience in strategic planning, financial management, and human resource development—as offering a wide range of opportunities for all types and levels of business professionals to get involved with arts support.

In further discussing business participation in the arts, Mr. Mills explained that it’s a long-term proposition where participants see results over time, and that getting "young professionals" involved could begin life-long support of the arts, as well as expedite a business professional’s career path by three to five years. Volunteering for arts organizations helps young business professionals develop a new skill set and "invites them to sit at the CEO table"—opportunities often out of reach in their early career path.

Mr. Mills discussed what he looks for in "young rising stars" at PNC that makes them stand out from others—the top traits are passion and dedication. He further explained that volunteering and involvement in the arts reveals these key characteristics and motivates professionals in their work life.

Mr. Mills also explained that smaller and midsized businesses have the same opportunity and ability to contribute, participate, and support the arts as large corporations like PNC have. Yet PNC serves as a great example for what larger companies can do, by taking 1 percent of its annual revenue and putting it back into the community through civic outreach efforts, including support of Arts & Business Council programs and initiatives.

Part Two: Panel discussion
Maida Milone discussed her unique perspectives of working in the corporate world and leaving her senior legal position to work in the arts sector. By managing operations of an emerging, perhaps unknown creative organization, Ms. Milone explained the financial struggles of searching for funding needed to continue providing the much-needed services and support the organization provides to the creative community. She also addressed how the Creative Artists Network is often utilized by young, up-and-coming artists trying to pave their early career paths—which would be nicely complemented by young business professionals contributing time and skills as volunteers concerned with many similar issues. Ms. Milone explained a number of ways that a young professional could get involved—from serving on a board to administrative work to behind-the-scenes support. She further encouraged involvement of young business professionals by detailing the rewards possible in the nonprofit arts management arena—although not often a financial reward, those in the corporate arena contemplating volunteerism or a career change can find value in appreciation, gratitude, skill enhancement, mobility and diversity along career path, and leading a fulfilling life that speaks to personal passion.

Michael Donato discussed a number of issues, including how skills developed by partnering with and participating in the arts impact the business bottom line. He explained how his board involvement with the Arden Theatre Company has helped with negotiating abilities, understanding when and how to compromise, working as a diverse team to achieve the same goal, and more. Professionally, through his involvement with the Arden, his employer (based in the Philadelphia suburbs) gains exposure and recognition among partners, customers, etc. when handling business in Center City. And by serving as a board member, he builds relationships with senior-level business executives from various companies and organizations throughout the region that he may not have otherwise met. In answering audience questions, Mr. Donato discussed how he got started with board service by completing the Council’s Business On Board training and placement program, and detailed the scope of involvement and requirements (time, skills, etc.) for young professionals seeking to participate in the program, while encouraging them to also consider starting with committee involvement before serving on a board if they want to "taste" what opportunities are available.

Naomi Grabel spoke to the opportunities for young professionals within a large arts and cultural institution and the interesting, weaving path that a career in arts management can take. She detailed her career history that took her around the country working for artistic institutions of varying size and discipline, explaining how, perhaps like any other job, building skills, contacts, and relationships is integral in career development. In addition, developing skills and partnerships outside of one’s work life—whether board service, committee work, or other volunteerism—is just as important. Ms. Grabel echoed sentiments of other panelists regarding rewards of working in nonprofit arts management, saying that contributions are tangible and often visible, specifically in the Greater Philadelphia Region, which has become so vibrant due to the impact and recent growth of the arts sector. By contributing to the arts, in whatever capacity, she expressed that the city and region is a better place—to live, to work, just better communities overall. Ms. Grabel encouraged young professionals in attendance who wanted to become leaders in the region to have passion for what they do and take initiative for what they want.

Whitney Hunter discussed the changes and challenges he encountered as a board member of the The Balch Institute when it merged with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The merger amplified what was already a unique learning experience and provided a view of how arts handle business. Mr. Hunter also described his committee work with the Flower Show and the Academy of Music and encouraged young professionals interesting in beginning volunteerism or a career path in the arts to consider participating on a committee to learn some basic skills needed in the nonprofit arena and create new relationships that educate and inspire. He also compared board training opportunities available to executives in the region, naming the Arts & Business Council’s Business On Board program and Leadership, Inc. Mr. Hunter also explained there is a time commitment for such programs and the board placement that follows, but that the rewards of participation are plentiful—personally and professionally.