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12 people are interested
Love the Arts? Share your (business) skills with local creatives
ORGANIZATION: Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Please visit the new page to apply.
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12 people are interested

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago is looking for skilled Chicagoans to help local artmakers and creatives rebuild from the effects of the pandemic.
Through our Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA) program, you can assist on a variety of issues related to audience development, marketing, communications, strategic planning, business planning, financial planning.
We're looking for individuals interested in working on both long-term (2-6 months) and short-term consulting engagements that range from 1-4 hours long.
Take your next step today: Apply Here https://artsbiz-chicago.org/volunteer/bva/
All volunteers must attend an Orientation, The next Orientation is Saturday September 23 from 9:30am-to 12:30pm.
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BVA volunteers have experience in a variety of vocational fields, including nonprofit and business administration; marketing, media relations, and public relations; strategic and business planning; accounting and finance; leadership and talent development; real estate and asset management; visual and UX/UI design; and human resources.
Volunteers are onboarded through A&BC’s orientation process, matched with available projects, and
provided guidance through the consulting process. Individuals can volunteer their services in two ways:
1. BVA Projects: Volunteers serve on team-based consulting projects consisting of groups of 2-5. These projects last between 2-6 months long. Consultants and Art Partners agree on deliverables and an
anticipated completion date prior to the project’s start.
2. BVA On-Demand: Our one-on-one consulting allows volunteer consultants to serve as coaches and thought partners to help problem solve and address challenges on a short-term, one-off basis.
Projects are beginning to meet in person, and it is encouraged. On-Demand takes place by phone or virtually.
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A&BC currently has over 130 active BVA volunteers, with approximately 15 new volunteers joining per year. Last year, 60+ of our volunteers were matched to serve on one of 16 BVA projects, time valued at $358,365 - a 16% increase from 2021.
The 2022 volunteers worked on the following campaigns: 5 Marketing / Communications Plan, 2 Strategic Plans, 2 Concept Development (mission, vision, values) Plans: 2 Board Development Plans, 1 Financial Plan, and 1 Succession Plan.
A&BC continues to diversify its volunteer corps to better represent the communities and Arts Partners we serve. Of the 85% of the 130+ volunteers whose zip codes are known and/or within Chicago, 15% live on the Southside; 15% Loop; 7% Westside; 31% Northside.
Volunteering with the A&BC can help individuals:
- Apply and practice their skills across a variety of projects, working with diverse artistic disciplines
- Get back in touch with their entrepreneurial instincts
- Sharpen their project management and team building skills
- Network and connect with peers in Chicago's business and arts communities
- Get involved and give back in a personally satisfying way
- Make a difference in Chicago’s arts community
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What our Volunteers say about the unique value they find through the A&BC that they do not find elsewhere":
- The opportunity to connect with great people around the city of Chicago.
- A focus on ALL the arts. They're all important, and it's great to see what's happening in areas that maybe don't get as much press.
- Connecting with other people interested in supporting the arts through organizational capacity development.
- The connection between business professionals and art institutions.
- Using my business skills to help accelerate growth and development of arts organizations.
- Opportunity to get as involved as my time and expertise allow.
- Chances to apply my professional skills with organizations that might not otherwise have the resources to afford them.
More opportunities with Arts & Business Council of Chicago
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Location:
4725 N. Rockwell, Chicago, IL 60625, US
Mission Statement
Our programming serves Chicago’s cultural workers and enterprises to ensure community vitality and an equitable creative economy. VISION We see a world where creativity is universally valued as a resource with limitless potential for social and economic impact. VALUES • Relationships Matter - We value kindness, sincerity, and honesty as they inspire empowerment and transformation. • Diversity Builds Capacity - We value the inclusion of multiple identities and perspectives, enabling us to make better decisions. • Mutuality is Essential - We value partnerships with those who also champion policies and practices of social equity and justice.
Description
Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC) is an Arts Service Organization which enhances organizational resiliency through capacity building. Capacity building is an intentional effort to improve an organization's effectiveness and sustainability, resulting in the organization successfully executing its mission.
Since 1985 A&BC has engaged with over 600 unique arts and culture organizations, enhancing their organizational resiliency through sequenced capacity building (known as our "continuum of care"), using tools including assessment, direct consulting, educational, and networking programs that strengthen management, administrative and organizational systems.
A&BC serves all arts and cultural producers, by working with administrative and artistic leaders, staff, and volunteers from Chicago’s creative community from a range of budget sizes and longevity, no matter their artistic discipline. We primarily serve emerging to mid-sized organizations with operating budgets under $1.5M.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
Multiple locations Chicago, IL 60625
DATE POSTED
April 21, 2023
SKILLS
- Marketing & Communications (Mar/Com)
- Financial Planning
- Business Planning
- Reporting & Dashboards
- Fundraising
- Community Outreach
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Orientation or Training
- Long term BVA Projects range between 2-6 month commitment. Short term/ BVA On Demand consulting is 1-4 hours per Arts Partner/ client.
- Applications are being accepted now through September 8, 2023. Volunteers are required to interview and attend the BVA Orientation on Saturday September 23, 2023 from 9:30am-12:30pmCST. TBD- virtual or in person.