In response to valid and ongoing concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic, the Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC) has cancelled all in-person events. Please see our COVID-19 Support Center to access resources and information to help navigate this period of disruption.

Lending Expertise.
Providing Support.
Facilitating Partnerships.

What We Do

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s mission is to strengthen nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.

We do this by building working relationships between arts and cultural organizations and highly-qualified business professionals, providing training in all aspects of management and board function, and highlighting research in leading and emerging issues related to the world of arts nonprofits.

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Services & Opportunities

FOR CREATIVE BUSINESSES

Are you looking for ways to strengthen your organization or business? Perhaps new relationships, board members, volunteer consultants, or learning? Our programs and services connect you to these and more.

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FOR VOLUNTEERS

We’re looking for remarkable people. People who get things done and enjoy seeing others succeed. Whether you’re looking to upskill, reskill, get to know Chicago a little better, or simply give back to our city, A&BC has a program for you!

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Upcoming Events

Nov
9
Mon
11:30 am On BOARD® Lab: Demystifying Fund... @ Webinar
On BOARD® Lab: Demystifying Fund... @ Webinar
Nov 9 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit[...]
Nov
18
Wed
11:30 am Learning Lab: Partnering for Imp... @ Webinar
Learning Lab: Partnering for Imp... @ Webinar
Nov 18 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Learning Lab: Partnering for Impact During Uncertain Times @ Webinar
During times of great uncertainty, it’s natural for nonprofits to seek out efficiencies – particularly in the form of organizational partnerships. In this Learning Lab, we will explore two types of nonprofit partnerships; the Collective[...]
Nov
23
Mon
11:30 am On BOARD® Lab: Arts Advocacy for... @ Webinar
On BOARD® Lab: Arts Advocacy for... @ Webinar
Nov 23 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit[...]
Dec
7
Mon
6:00 pm Learning Lab: It’s Not All About... @ Webinar
Learning Lab: It’s Not All About... @ Webinar
Dec 7 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Learning Lab: It's Not All About the Give/Get @ Webinar
A superb board member brings a combination of time, treasure, and talent to an organization. So why do we continue to evaluate and prospect board members strictly on financial capacity? If a board of directors[...]

News

Since launching…

On BOARD

Over 300 volunteers trained and matched

Business Volunteers for the Arts

Over $10 million in pro bono consulting services

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago is supported in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts.