Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading non-profit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, today announced that Robert Buchsbaum, Chief Executive Officer of Blick Art Materials, will receive the 2016 BCA Leadership Award. Presented by the Business Committee for the Arts (BCA), a division of Americans for the Arts, the annual award recognizes individuals for their extraordinary vision, leadership, and commitment to supporting the arts and for encouraging other businesses to follow their lead. 

 

Buchsbaum joined Blick in 1996 and successfully restructured the company, helping turn Blick into the nation’s premier art supply source. In 2013, Blick absorbed Utrecht Art Supplies and now has more than 70 retail stores across the country, selling art materials that cater to the full spectrum of artists — from the youngest child to gallery-represented professionals. Over the past 15 years, under Buchsbaum’s leadership, Blick has made financial contributions of at least $475,000 a year to programs and organizations that support the arts and arts education.  

 

Buchsbaum’s commitment to leadership is also shown through Blick’s support of the National Art Education Association, the Arts Action Fund — a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization affiliated with Americans for the Arts — and the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, as well as his personal board representation with the National Art Materials Trade Association and Marwen, a non-profit dedicated to educating and inspiring under-served young people through the visual arts.

 

The legacy of Buchsbaum’s leadership is connected to his grandfather, Robert Metzenberg, who bought the company from Dick Blick in 1948 and was instrumental in its post-World War II growth. Metzenberg’s dream was to see that every artist, art teacher, and sign painter had mail-order access to the tools of the trade. 

 

“I am honored to be named BCA’s 2016 Leadership Award honoree, in recognition of Blick’s long history of advocating for and supporting the arts,” said Buchsbaum. “We look forward to continuing our support of the Arts Action Fund in creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate the arts.” 

 

“I congratulate Robert Buchsbaum, whose long history of dedication, forward-thinking leadership, and support for the arts has been unwavering. He truly believes in the power and benefits of the arts in everyday society,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.  

 

BCA Leadership award honorees are selected by the BCA Executive Board. Buchsbaum will receive his award at the BCA 10: Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts in America gala on October 5, 2016, a black-tie affair at the Loeb Boathouse in New York City’s Central Park. 

 

Every year, through the BCA 10 awards, the Business Committee for the Arts honors 10 U.S. companies for their exceptional commitment to the arts through grants, local partnerships, volunteer programs, matching gifts, sponsorships, and board membership. 

 

The 2016 BCA 10 honorees are Austin Energy; Badger Meter; CopperPoint Insurance Companies; Dealer.com; Dogfish Head Craft Brewery; Dunlap Codding; Johnson & Johnson; M Powered Strategies, Inc.; Northern Trust; and Procter & Gamble. In addition, Aetna Inc. will be presented the 2016 BCA Hall of Fame Award, which recognizes companies that have exhibited exceptional long-term vision, leadership, and commitment to developing alliances with the arts.

 

For information regarding BCA 10, please contact Jessica Gaines, Business Committee for the Arts Coordinator at (212) 223-2787or via e-mail at [email protected].

 

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

 

Founded in 1967 by David Rockefeller, the Business Committee for the Arts (BCA), a division of Americans for the Arts, encourages, inspires, and stimulates businesses to support the arts in the workplace, in education, and in the community. The Business Committee for the Arts merged with Americans for the Arts in 2008. Visit www.pARTnershipmovement.org for more information.

 

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