Business Volunteers for the Arts

Business Volunteers for the Arts provides technical assistance to arts and cultural organizations by recruiting business experts to help those organizations improve their management practices. Fields of recruiting consist of but are not limited to: accounting, marketing, public relations, graphic design, computer systems, organizational management, strategic planning, board development and more. View a list of match program topics.

Here are some basics about our program:

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Who Are Our Volunteers and What is Expected
. Business professionals who have at least three year's experience in their field of expertise are eligible to participate as volunteer consultants.
. Each prospective volunteer is interviewed by the executive director to determine qualifications and areas of expertise.
. Volunteers attend a required orientation program to acquaint them with special needs and issues relevant to managing nonprofit arts organizations. Orientation is held two times a year.
. Volunteers are expected to devote three (3) hours per week to projects and serve one year on roster.
. Volunteers generally consult after work hours, on the weekends or at times mutually convenient to the volunteer and the arts organization staff.

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What is Required of Arts Organizations
. BVA is available to any 501(c)(3) arts organization or umbrella organization in the Phoenix metro area.
. Application must be requested and submitted for consulting assistance from BVA.
. Applicant organization must obtain board approval for BVA consultation.
. Applicant organization must be prepared to commit the time and resources to a project involving a volunteer. Time and resources requirements will be determined during the initial assessment.
. Arts organization representatives will meet with BVA staff to discuss needs and identify projects on which business volunteers will provide assistance. Initial assessment lasts approximately two hours.
. Organizations must notify BVA of project completion or decision to terminate the project.
. Arts organizations are encouraged to show appreciation to their business volunteers by providing free tickets to their events and exhibits.

Let BVA help your organization now - click here to apply.

Matching Process
. Identified projects will be initiated based upon availability of appropriate volunteer expertise.
. Consulting volunteer(s) will be selected for identified projects.
. Selected volunteer(s) and arts organization representatives will meet with BVA staff to discuss the proposed project and determine scope of work and expected schedule. This is called the Match Meeting.
. An agreement between volunteer(s) and the arts organization will be outlined.
. Expected project duration is determined by the nature of the project.

Organizations that have utilized the services of A&BC

Testimonials

“The Arts and Business Council of Greater Phoenix has provided exceptionally trained volunteers to work with DuoWest on business aspects in which our expertise is limited.   Renee Loge, BVA, has integrated easily into our Board with her very personable style, while helping the Board gain focus and direction through her expertise in strategic planning.  We look forward to continuing to work with the Arts and Business Council as our organization grows.”

Sherry Lenich

Duo West

“On behalf of iTheatre Collaborative, I want to thank you for the hard work you and your staff have contributed to making the Arts in Phoenix successful.  The two volunteers that you gave us, Rosemary Friggens and Steve Ramsbacher, were do successful in completing our tasks that it’s going to be hard to let them go.  However, I am looking forward to a new year with new volunteers.  Please know that you are part of our success.”

Rosemary Close, Executive Director
                                                                                                                                iTheatre Collaborative

“The Phoenix Conservatory of Music (PCM) has had much success in working with The Arts and Business Council from insightful trainings for our administrative staff, highly effective Business Volunteers for the Arts Consultancies in board development, strategic planning, marketing, and development; and being a Business on Board Partnering Organization, allowing us to expand our board with trained caring individuals and provide professional development for our current board members.  These are opportunities that an expanding arts organization would not otherwise have access to.  With assistance and training, PCM has been able to grow it's capacity by 25% annually both fiscally and in the number of community members that we serve.  We have grown our board, are diversifying our revenue (achieving stability and sustainability), and strategically moving forward.  These results are in large part due to the assistance that we have received from the Arts and Business Council of Greater Phoenix and we are forever grateful for the excellent work that they do!"

Regina Nixon, Executive Director
Phoenix Conservatory of Music

“The Arts and Business Council’s assignment of Jeff Jameson to conduct a review and update of the organization’s Personnel Policies and Procedures amounts to the proverbial gift that keeps on giving. We received quality and timely service and the insights and expertise of a top human resources professional that we otherwise couldn’t have afforded. And, we got a product, a Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, that reflects best practices and is a user-friendly resource to our staff. Thank you, BVA."

Herb Paine, Executive Director
Arizona Humanities Council