BUSINESS FOR THE ARTS STRATEGIC PLAN 2014-2017

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

The following strategic plan provides a framework of goals and objectives that will guide the growth, direction and management of Business for the Arts over the next three years (2014-2017).

As Canada’s only national charitable organization of business members who support the arts, Business for the Arts was founded in 1974 (then known as the Council for Business and the Arts in Canada) by a group of leading business CEOs in Canada. They saw a need to encourage strong relationships between business and the arts in order to strengthen our cultural institutions, support our artists and improve quality of life for all. Forty top businesses in Canada were brought on board to launch the organization as founding members, many of whom remain with Business for the Arts today.

KEY CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE BftA WAS FORMED Business for the Arts has grown from a two-person organization focused on advocacy in 2006 (lobbying government on policy initiatives) to a program-based organization working on the ground at a grassroots/community level to build capacity in the cultural sector by facilitating partnerships between business and the arts. The launching pad was artsVest™, piloted in Oakville in 2002. In 2006, the program received funding for an Ontario-wide project, and in 2011, received funding for a national roll-out to fulfill Business for the Arts’ national mandate. As the Canadian arts sector continues to grow, new funding models are critical to the growth and sustainability of the sector. Business for the Arts is well positioned to address these challenges through its programs and initiatives, and through its outreach, research and advocacy efforts to educate business on the value of investing in the arts and coach arts organizations on how to approach business with sponsorship opportunities.

HOW WE DIFFER FROM OTHER ARTS GROUPS Business for the Arts advocates for measures that will stimulate greater business support of the arts, and works to create partnerships between the business and arts communities by encouraging investment, volunteerism and employee engagement. We provide programs, training and educational resources (sponsorship and board governance) to arts organizations to partner more effectively and successfully with business. Our goal is to develop the next generation of creative thinkers, innovators, influencers and leaders with the knowledge, skills and resolve to guide arts and culture organizations in their financial and artistic management.

HOW WE ARE FUNDED • • • • •

Corporate memberships Corporate Partnerships Board of Directors / Ambassadors Annual National Awards Federal and Provincial Grants

MANDATE CRA Charity Type: Education

CATEGORY Cultural Activities and Promotion of the Arts

VISION TO INSPIRE CANADA’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO PARTNER WITH THE ARTS TO ENSURE A THRIVING CULTURAL SECTOR.

MISSION WE CONNECT, EDUCATE AND INVEST TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND THE ARTS.

OUR PROGRAMS

artsVEST™ A unique, multimillion dollar matching incentive and sponsorship training program that provides small to mid-sized arts and culture organizations with in-depth sponsorship training, matching incentive funds and community networking events to develop sponsorship opportunities with local business.

artsSCENE™ A network of leading young business professionals who support the arts through volunteerism and patronage.

boardLINK™ A free matching program connecting young business professionals to volunteer board positions with arts organizations in their cities through live matching events.

CANADIAN ARTS SUMMIT A national leadership forum that brings together arts and culture leaders to develop the strengths required to support Canada’s arts and culture sector.

ANNUAL NATIONAL AWARDS Annual awards celebrate the extraordinary contributions made by individual arts and business leaders and companies across the Canada who have shown outstanding commitment to the arts through philanthropy, volunteerism, and unique and innovative partnerships and programs.

MEASURING OUR IMPACT FROM STRENGTHENING LOCAL CULTURAL ASSETS AND CREATING CROSS-SECTORAL PARTNERSHIPS TO ENCOURAGING VOLUNTEERISM AND ENGAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTS LEADERS, OUR PROGRAMS IMPACT EVERY COMMUNITY WE ENTER.

artsVEST™ NATIONAL

artsVEST™ VANCOUVER

Since the introduction of the program in Ontario in 2002 to 2013, 1,571 businesses have partnered with 465 cultural organizations through artsVest — 968 of these businesses were firsttime sponsors of the arts. A total of $2.92 million in matching funds generated over $6.12 million in private sector sponsorship and resulted in an influx of more than $9.048 million to the cultural economy.

For 2012-2013, a total of 39 arts organizations partnered with 118 businesses, 69 of which were first time sponsors of the arts. The Vancouver community reached its artsVest matching funds goal of $275,000. Above this, the 39 arts organizations raised $480,790 in sponsorship funds from the business community, creating an influx of nearly $756,000 to the Vancouver economy.

artsVEST™ ONTARIO

artsVEST™ SASKATCHEWAN

From 2002 to 2013, 835 businesses have partnered with 275 cultural organizations through artsVest — 557 of these businesses were first-time sponsors of the arts. A total of $1.36 million in matching funds generated more than $2.71 million in private sector sponsorship and resulted in an influx of more than $4.07 million to the cultural economy.

From 2011-2013, a total of 401 businesses partnered with 84 cultural organizations, of which 259 businesses were first-time sponsors of the arts. Matching funds of $700,000 generated over $1.72 million in private sector sponsorship and resulted in an influx of more than $2.42 million to the cultural economy.

artsVEST™ CALGARY

artsVEST™ WINNIPEG

From 2011-2013, a total of 93 businesses partnered with 26 cultural organizations — of which 64 businesses were first-time sponsors of the arts. Matching funds of $300,000 generated over $533,000 in private sector sponsorship and resulted in an influx of about $833,000 to the cultural economy.

From 2011-2013, artsVest Winnipeg has created exciting and meaningful partnerships between 131 local businesses and 41 arts groups, with 46 of the businesses being first-time supporters of the arts. Matching funds of $280,460 generated about $634,000 in private sector sponsorship, resulting in an influx of more than $914,000 to the cultural economy.

artsVEST EXPANSION

artsSCENE™ AND BOARDLINK™

artsVest Toronto was launched in May 2013 as well as artsVest Nova Scotia in September 2013. Results will be available later in 2014.

From October 2013 to January 2014, we held eight boardLink events in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Ottawa-Gatineau, Montreal and Halifax. Delivered by nearly 60 artsScene volunteers, the live events engaged almost 460 business professionals with approximately 110 arts organizations. Our accompanying boardLink e-tutorial was viewed 128 times from November to January. 77% of boardLink attendees said that the event helped them identify volunteer opportunities on a committee; 70% said that the event helped them find a board position they were interested in; 85% said they would recommend the event to a friend; 100% said they would like to attend another professional development event hosted by artsScene; and 72% said they would like to volunteer with artsScene.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR 2014-2017

1. BUILD ON CORE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT STRENGTHEN OUR ABILITY TO FULFILL OUR MISSION. 2. INSPIRE ARTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO PARTNER BY PRESENTING A STRONG CASE FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT IN THE ARTS. 3. EDUCATE ARTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS IN VOLUNTEERISM, SPONSORSHIP AND BOARD GOVERNANCE. 4. CONNECT ARTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO ESTABLISH VOLUNTEER, INVESTMENT AND AMBASSADOR RELATIONSHIPS. 5. GENERATE NEW REVENUE STREAMS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

STRATEGIC PRIORITY I:

STRATEGIC PRIORITY III:

Build on core programs and activities that strengthen our ability to fulfill our mission

Educate arts and business leaders in the art of volunteerism, sponsorship and board governance

OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVES

• Develop processes and procedures around project and program management and impact measurement

• Develop artsVest training curriculum for sponsorship and board governance with the goal of creating a certificate program for both

• Improve online resources and services, including website redevelopment, and informational and educational web tutorials

• Improve and implement cross-program collaboration

• Improve information management, data capture, integrated systems, research and data analysis for future use

STRATEGIC PRIORITY IV:

• Develop fully bilingual presence and profile

Connect arts and business leaders to establish volunteer, investment and ambassador relationships

STRATEGIC PRIORITY II: Inspire arts and business leaders to partner by presenting a strong case for business investment in the arts OBJECTIVES • Work to communicate our impact and stories through effective communications, marketing, public relations and branding. • Re-evaluate national awards goals including award categories, and the introduction of an award for community investment managers and outstanding arts professional (2014)

OBJECTIVES • Engage an active and diverse Board of Directors • Create arts membership program and redefine BftA membership for individual, corporate partner or arts member. Engage more with employees through programs at corporate level membership. • Reconvene our roundtable participants to learn about community investment practices • Engage in community collaboration with arts and culture organizations and associations

STRATEGIC PRIORITY V: New revenue streams and funding opportunities OBJECTIVES • Develop opportunities for program revenue generation • Re-evaluate and redefine membership and benefits to engage more corporate support • Develop more sponsorship opportunities through our programs and events

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman - Dr. James D. Fleck, O.C. Chairman Emeritus - Donald K. Johnson, O.C., LL.D Vice Chairs - Anthony R. Graham, Robert J. Foster Treasurer - Robert S. Weiss, F.C.A. President and CEO - Nichole Anderson Honorary Director - Hon. Henry N.R. Jackman, O.C. Directors: David Aisenstat Julie Arsenault A. Charles Baillie, O.C. H. Roger Garland Jean Giguère Robert T.E. Gillespie, P.Eng Lawrence L. Herman Carol R. Hill John (Jake) C. Kerr, C.M. Michael M. Koerner, C.M Brian M. Levitt Philip B. Lind, C.M. Hon. Roy MacLaren, P.C. Jeff Melanson Philippe Meyersohn Gail O’Brien James B. Pitblado, C.M. Greg A. Reed Javier San Juan Gillian Smith Kirstine Stewart Vince Timpano Nina Kaiden Wright Janet Yale Takashi Yamashita

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Business for the Arts 174 Avenue Road Toronto, Ontario M5R 2J1 Phone: (416) 869-3016 [email protected] www.businessforthearts.org