Facts & Figures
Americans for the Arts Announces the National Arts Index
The National Arts Index measures the health and vitality of arts in the United States. The Index fell 4.2 percentage points in 2008, reflecting losses in charitable giving and declining attendance at larger cultural institutions—even as the number of arts organizations grew. “As with key business measures like the Dow or the GDP, we now have a way to measure the health of the arts in America. The arts are a key industry in the U.S. economy, creating jobs, contributing to the vitality of our communities, uplifting the spirits of our nation, and helping to develop the creative and innovative workforce needed to remain globally competitive. The National Arts Index is a major advancement in measuring the components of the health of the arts in America,” said Albert Chao, president and CEO of Westlake Chemical in Houston and a member of the Business Committee for the Arts. For information, www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
Increase in Anonymous Giving
According to Giving USA anonymous giving nationwide rose from $315 million to $579.5 million in 2008. Many Chicago-based organizations have experienced this jump in this particular type of giving. Organizations including the Art Institute of Chicago, the YWCA, and the Chicago Haiku Festival have all recently been gifted to by anonymous donors. For information, www.chicagobusiness.com.
Awarding Innovation
The MetLife Foundation has announced the six winners of the nationwide 2009 MetLife Innovative Space Awards which recognize outstanding efforts in the design and development of affordable artists’ space. In total $100,000 was awarded to the six winning organizations. The grand prize of $50,000 went to the International Sonoran Desert Alliance for its development of the Curley School which is assisting in community revitalization through the arts in Ajo, AZ, the Tohono O’odham Nation, and Sonora, Mexico. For information, www.csrwire.com.
Nominations Open for THE BCA TEN 2010
We’re looking for the best companies supporting the arts in America and would love your input! Take a few minutes to submit a nomination to THE BCA TEN: Best Companies Supporting the Arts in America. Anyone can nominate a company so visit our site to tell us about the great support in your community. Nominations close February 26. To nominate, www.AmericansForTheArts.org/go/BCA10.
Take Note
Nominations for Americans for the Arts Half-Century Summit
Each year, Americans for the Arts presents awards to honor those who are committed to building communities through the arts. This year, the Michael Newton Award will be presented at the Americans for the Arts Half-Century Summit to an individual with a distinguished career in the united arts field, a commitment and dedication to the united arts fund movement, and exemplary management and leadership skills. To nominate, www.AmericansForTheArts.org/awards.
Ovation TV and Arts Education
Ovation TV has collaborated with Cable in the Classroom to create an arts education curriculum which can be accessed through the Cable in the Classroom portal. CEO of Ovation TV Charles Segars said, “Advocating the importance of the arts in the education of our youth is a critical part of Ovation TV’s mission.” To make this project happen the television network worked with the NYC Department of Education, visual arts teachers and their students, and Columbia Business School Executive M.B.A. students. For information, www.prnewswire.com.
Volunteer with Disney
Disney is offering a one-day, one-park ticket to the Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort free to volunteers that give a day of service to organizations in their communities. Those looking to volunteer through this initiative must sign up with a participating organization through Disney.com. Arts and culture organizations are easily searchable through the web program. For information, disneyparks.disney.go.com.
Speaking From Experience
"From our founding in the mid-1800s right up to today, we at Dollar Bank believe that support for the arts means more than just making contributions to arts organizations. Over the years, we have tried to create opportunities for our citizens to enjoy the arts, from historic stone sculptures, to magnificent murals, to free concerts to emotional and inspired films about people and places important to all of us." - Robert P. Oeler, President & CEO, Dollar Bank and 2009 THE BCA TEN Winner |
