Events

Jul
18
Tue
Summer Bash 2017
Jul 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

On July 18, meet your peers at this festive night of live performance and vibrant networking at Revolution Brewpub for the annual A&BC Summer Bash. Arts and business professionals will mingle and watch short performances highlighting a few of the many arts organizations A&BC serves. We’ll also honor a business professional and a company making a difference in our arts programs.

All of this will take place on Revolution Brewpub’s well-appointed second floor, where there will be an unlimited supply of Rev Brew’s lauded beers and delectable appetizers. Pass this invitation along to a friend who might be interested in participating in Arts & Business Council programs.

$75 per person 

Want more fun or can’t make it to the Bash?  Sign up for the raffle!
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SIGN UP FOR THE SUMMER BASH RAFFLE!

Enter the Summer Bash Raffle! Enter using the form below, or buy tickets at the Bash. You do not need to be present to win!

Prizes include packages of tickets to performances or classes (noted) from: Athenaeum Theatre, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Chicago Sinfonietta, Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, Green Star Movement (class for two), The House Theatre, Lifeline Theater, Lucky Plush, Sideshow Theatre, 16th Street Theater, and more!

The Raffle form is not required to complete your Summer Bash ticket purchase.

 

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Dec
14
Thu
A&BC Holiday Wonder Party @ Elastic Arts
Dec 14 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago invites you and other members of the arts and business communities to our Holiday Wonder party, Thursday, Dec. 14, 6:30-8:30pm, at Elastic Arts in Logan Square.

Feel the warm, sparkly, cinnamon-infused joy of gathering with colleagues to celebrate the successes of 2017 and to anticipate the triumphs of 2018. Bring your team and make merry!

A $25 ticket to this fun and casual event—in partnership with Audience Architects, an ArtCoremember—will include:

  • A 2-drink ticket and small bites
  • Short performances throughout the night
  • Open mic shout-outs to our peers and arts organizations, recognizing the year’s high points
  • Viewing of the current Elastic exhibition – PAZ: Piñatas & Zines, by Oscar Arriola
  • A performance from dance artist and educator Adriana Durant
  • The sparkly sounds of Paul Giallorenzo, Co-Founder of Elastic Arts, on the piano
  • Admission to the 9pm Elastic Arts show following the party: the jazz quartet of Dave Rempis, Jim Baker, Kent Kessler, and Avreeayl Ra (do not miss this!)

Elastic Arts’ address is:
3429 W Diversey Ave, #208 (near Milwaukee).
CTA: Logan Square Blue Line; 56, 76, and 82 buses.

We hope to see you there!

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Mar
20
Tue
Annual Benefit Luncheon – Arts & Business and Capital: Impact Investing in Chicago’s Creative Economy @ Blue Cross - Blue Shield of Illinois
Mar 20 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

“Impact investing is where you’re investing for a financial return but you’re also doing something positive that’s having a social return, like micro-finance, preserving the environment, and fair labor. And you can actually achieve those same social impact goals by investing for impact in the creative economy.”
Laura Callanan

You are invited to A&BC’s annual benefit luncheon, March 20 at 11:30 am at 300 E Randolph. The Luncheon is dedicated to impact investing in Chicago’s creative economy.

Laura Callanan, founding partner of Upstart Co-Lab, an unprecedented collaboration between investors and artists, will present the keynote address followed by a lively audience Q&A moderated by Genevieve Thiers, founder of Sittercity, tech investor, and opera singer.

Arts & Business and Capital: Impact Investing in Chicago’s Creative Economy will mobilize impact investors, creative entrepreneurs, and artists to come together in shared purpose to discuss innovative ways to drive economic development. You will not want to miss this cutting-edge conversation with a creative industry thought leader that’s sure to provide you with stimulating new ideas about the creative economy’s role in generating revitalization, community stability, and social cohesion.

We look forward to seeing you!

Tuesday, March 20, 11:30am
Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Illinois, 300 E Randolph, 30th fl., Chicago

If you wish to become a sponsor and/or purchase multiple tables, please contact Kristin Larsen, klarsen@artsbiz-chicago.org.

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About Laura Callanan

Callanan’s national organization, Upstart Co-Lab, connects artists, impact investors, and social entrepreneurs to create opportunities for artists to innovate in society, delivering scalable social impact. Prior to Upstart Co-Lab’s 2015 launch, Callanan served as Senior Deputy Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts under the Obama administration. With McKinsey & Company, she led work on social innovation, sustainable capitalism, and social impact assessment.

About Genevieve Thiers

Genevieve Thiers, moderator, is an entrepreneur, tech investor, and opera singer based in Chicago. Her first company, Sittercity.com, now has millions of users in the US, UK, and Canada. She was recognized by President Bush at the White House as the Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur Champion of the Year for 2006, and her companies have won over 18 major awards. She is an investor in TechStars and the Firestarter fund, and in female-run new tech startups that target women and lesser-known industries.

May
1
Tue
Breakfast Club: Making Money @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
May 1 @ 8:30 am – 9:30 am

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club supports leaders and staff of nonprofit arts organizations through informal peer-to-peer sharing, casual facilitated conversation, and information dissemination.

Join us Tuesday, May 1st from 8:30-9:30am.

Topic: Making Money

Say it again for the people in the back. Nonprofits can make money! The nonprofit sector often carries a stigma of unprofitable, but business planning is just as important for nonprofit organizations as it is for any business or corporation. Sustainable nonprofits don’t wait around for the next big grant or angel donor. They create several diverse revenue streams to support the organization’s financial well-being. Join Breakfast Club: Making Money to connect with peers over successes and strategies in creating mission-driven generated revenues.

A cereal bar, tea, and coffee will be provided.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Price: $5.00

Cancellation Policy:

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any Breakfast Club for which registrants will receive a full refund.

No refunds are issued for cancellations. No refunds are issued for “no shows.”

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May
5
Sat
Board Training: Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
May 5 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Topics include:

  • Structures of arts organizations and their boards—staffing, income, and programming models
  • Life cycle of arts organizations, from the founding board to the working board and the governing board
  • Relationship between the board and staff, and challenges posed by staffing and board transitions

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations. For details on registering for this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

May
16
Wed
On BOARD: Spring Meet the Boards @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
May 16 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Meet the Boards is a networking session for On BOARD candidates and arts organization boards to meet and learn about each other. Attendees discuss the mission and history of the organization, current and upcoming initiatives, and how new board members can contribute to the organization.

Interested organizations must fill out an arts client On BOARD application – the deadline for which is April 13, 2018.

Meet the Boards is by invitation only.

May
18
Fri
2112: Tour, Networking, and Dialogue @ 2112
May 18 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Meet us at 2112, the creative tech incubator where Lady Gaga and Chance the Rapper have worked, and up-and-coming innovators and their companies have put down roots.

Tour the 160k square foot facility. See the inner workings of a high-powered creative incubator developing entrepreneurs in music, film/video, and creative industry-focused technologies. Hear a presentation by Rob Tovar, one of its directors. Have some food and drink while discussing impact investing in the Chicago arts scene with other arts supporters. This evening will give you insight into the burgeoning creative/tech scene in Chicago as well as bragging rights that you had an inside peek at this powerhouse.

Members $25/Public $40. Please contact contact Karen YatesEngagement Manager to receive membership pricing.

This event is also our Membership Program kick-off! Members receive $15 off their ticket price. To learn more about our Membership Program and how you can stay engaged with the Arts & Business Council of Chicago year-round, go here.

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May
21
Mon
Lab: Arts Administration 101 @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
May 21 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Tony Award-winning Steppenwolf Theatre Company was born from an idea a couple of former high school classmates had to produce a play in a suburban church. Four-time Grammy award-winning ensemble, Eighth Blackbird, have called Chicago home since 1996. With the right foundation in place, the growth potential for Chicago arts organizations just like yours is immense.

In Arts Administration 101, smARTscope Consultant Lisa Tylke will guide emerging arts organizations through two key pillars of stability: understanding the roles and responsibilities of a board of directors and concept development for the artistic and administrative visions of organizations. These pillars are vital for mastering the basics; understanding who you are, what you do, and how you do it.

This Learning Lab is most appropriate for emerging organizations that have:

  • Unpaid or stipend-payed staff and artists
  • A few sources of contributed income
  • Hands-on Boards of Directors that fulfill administrative roles and do minimal fundraising
  • Average budgets of $0 – $100,000
  • A strong desire to grow and develop!

Price: $65

Fill out my online form.

Jun
5
Tue
Breakfast Club: Moving From, “We Think” to, “We Know” @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Jun 5 @ 8:30 am – 9:30 am

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club supports leaders and staff of nonprofit arts organizations through informal peer-to-peer sharing, casual facilitated conversation, and information dissemination.

Tuesday, June 5th from 8:30-9:30am. 

Topic: Moving From, “We Think” to, “We Know”

Arts and cultural organizations should be data-driven; using real information from real experiences to inform programs, marketing, fundraising, and audience engagement. But, that’s much easier said than done. Your work is so fast-paced that it often feels impossible to fully segment your mailing list or dig into survey responses.

Are you looking to connect with colleagues in the field to discuss ideas about data collection, evaluation, interpretation and more? Share successes and strategies in effective data practice at Breakfast Club: Moving From, “We Think” to, “We Know.”

A cereal bar, tea, and coffee will be provided.

Price: $5

Fill out my online form.

Jun
9
Sat
Board Training: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities; Non-governing Boards @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Jun 9 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Speakers:

  • Michael Clark, Partner, Sidley Austin LLP

Learning objectives include:

  • Non-governing boards and committees
  • Laws governing nonprofit boards of directors
  • Bylaws
  • The role of the director: responsibilities & restrictions
  • Role of the lawyer on the board
  • Fiduciary duties
  • Conflict of interest
  • Directors & Officers insurance
  • Contracts
  • Strategic Planning

Price: $150

For details on registering for this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

Jul
14
Sat
Board Training: Fundraising Landscape @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Jul 14 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

SpeakerCharles Katzenmeyer, VP Institutional Advancement, The Field Museum

Learning objectives include:

  • Funding landscape for nonprofit arts organizations and sector-wide trends in giving
  • Defining sources of philanthropic support
  • The role board members play in securing funds
  • How to structure the “ask”
  • Creating a donor cultivation calendar
  • Identifying ways to get the “get”

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations. For details on registering for this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

Jul
25
Wed
It’s Not All About the Give/Get: A New Model for Assessing Board Contribution
Jul 25 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

A superb board member brings a wealth 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 is to reflect the community it serves, the sector must consider more equitable models of assessment.

Arts & Business Council of Chicago Executive Director Kristin Larsen will present her innovative, point-based, assessment model for boards of directors. Larsen – with A&BC Board Governance Chair and COO of HBR Consulting, Evan Trent – will guide you through using game theory and a points-based evaluation system to reduce anxiety around giving capacities and create an equitable board of directors that is welcoming to marginalized groups.

In practice, Larsen has seen this fresh accountability system increase committee participation, mobilize current board members to prospect new members and donors, and ignite a sense of self-governance that reduces stress and time for the Executive Director. You’ll leave this lab with an action plan to define the entire scope of what your board of directors can bring to the organization and design your own point-based assessment model that’s not all about the give/get.

 

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Aug
3
Fri
Summer Orientation – Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA) @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Aug 3 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

BVA Orientation – August 2018

New business volunteers must attend a BVA Orientation before starting on a project. We offer the BVA Orientation four times a year— winter, spring, summer and fall on Friday afternoons from 2:00 – 5:00 pm in downtown Chicago.

The Summer application deadline is July 21. Apply here.

For more information about the BVA program, click here.

Aug
4
Sat
Board Training: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues @ WeWork River North, 5th Floor
Aug 4 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Speaker: Megan Angle, CPA, Porte Brown LLC; A&BC Core Instructor

Learning objectives include:

  • Financial oversight and safeguarding of assets and nonprofit status
  • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Understanding nonprofit financial statements
  • Taxes including payroll and UBIT
  • Filing with the IRS and other government entities
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations.

For details on registering for this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

Aug
7
Tue
Breakfast Club: Finding Success in Succession @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Aug 7 @ 8:30 am – 9:30 am

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club supports leaders and staff of nonprofit arts organizations through informal peer-to-peer sharing, casual facilitated conversation, and information dissemination.

Join us Tuesday, August 7th from 8:30-9:30am.

How do you move forward when replacing leadership? Succession Planning. Preparing for transition within an organization includes hiring new leadership, replacing a board member or chair, or implementing strategy for when a founder steps down. Succession planning is a challenging process to start, but can provide newfound direction and opportunities for growth with fresh vision and leadership. Come learn about other’s experiences with succession planning and see how your organization can improve, change, or start succession planning of your own.

When registering below, please describe your greatest challenge in succession planning. This may include identifying responsibilities within your organizational charts, gathering board support, or not having the resources necessary to put together an in-depth plan. Whatever your challenge, Breakfast Club can provide ideas and thought-provoking conversation to help with your process.

A cereal bar, tea, and coffee will be provided.

Fill out my online form.

Sep
11
Tue
Breakfast Club: Better Communications. Better Audiences. @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Sep 11 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

Join us Tuesday, September 11 from 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

Topic: Better Communications. Better Audiences.

Artistic program descriptions are constantly laced with jargon – heavy and technical terminology that only makes sense to individuals who deeply understand the art form. It can be impossible for an “outsider” to understand and speak this foreign language. So much so, they often can’t see the value of the art or don’t think they will understand it. If arts and culture organizations want to introduce new audiences and patrons to their work, they must strive to produce accessible communications.

Attendees are encouraged to bring two copies of an artistic programming description they wish to workshop and revise based on feedback from peers.

A cereal bar, tea, and coffee will be provided.

Fill out my online form.

Sep
15
Sat
Board Training: Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Sep 15 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Presenter: Kristin Larsen, Executive Director, Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Panelists:

  • Seth Boustead, Executive Director, Access Contemporary Music
  • Erica Hawkinson, Marketing & Operations Director, Green Star Movement
  • Marilyn He, Board Member, Access Contemporary Music; On BOARD Alum
  • Ben van Loon, Board Member, High Concept Labs; On BOARD Alum

Topics include:

  • Structures of arts organizations and their boards—staffing, income, and programming models
  • Life cycle of arts organizations, from the founding board to the working board and the governing board
  • Relationship between the board and staff, and challenges posed by staffing and board transitions

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations. For details on registering for this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

Sep
26
Wed
On BOARD: Fall Meet the Boards
Sep 26 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Meet the Boards is a networking session for On BOARD candidates and arts organization boards to meet and learn about each other. Attendees discuss the mission and history of the organization, current and upcoming initiatives, and how new board members can contribute to the organization.

Interested organizations must fill out an arts client On BOARD application – the deadline for which is August 17, 2018.

Meet the Boards is by invitation only.

Oct
2
Tue
Breakfast Club: Board Coaching @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Oct 2 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

Tuesday, October 2 from 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

Board Coaching is back! We know that each board of directors is unique; they carry varied skill sets, they have different financial capabilities, and possess rare connections to the communities they live and work in. It’s no surprise that prescribed board composition templates or governance best practices don’t always apply! All-star Business Volunteers for the Arts Jennifer Harris and Kristen Evans will join Breakfast Club to provide focused board coaching and facilitate connections between peers who may be experiencing similar challenges.

When registering below, please describe two of your greatest challenges when working with your organization’s board of directors. This may include governance, creation of new bylaws and policies, cohesive understanding of the organization’s mission, etc.

A cereal bar, tea, and coffee will be provided.

Fill out my online form.

 


Jennifer Harris is a seasoned PR and marketing communications professional focused on the development and promotion of thought leadership content. With experience in senior public relations firm management, Jennifer brings more than 20 years’ experience serving the professional services, technology and arts sectors, including clients such as JLL, Ernst & Young, Stewart Title and KeyBank. Passionate about the arts, Jennifer is a veteran Business Volunteers for the Arts consultant and has led A&BC board development workshops. She is currently board president of Rembrandt Chamber Musicians.

Kristen Evans is a brand strategist, entrepreneur, consultant, and meeting facilitator who turns insights into action. Her career has spanned corporate sponsorship management for collegiate athletics, business development, data-storytelling, and consumer insights at Proctor & Gamble (where she contributed innovation strategies to global brands COVERGIRL, Pantene, and more), and Kraft Foods. Kristen currently focuses on her company, The Strength & Grace Group, a health and wellness holding company. Outside of business and wellness, Kristen is a dance educator, choreographer, and teaching artist with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

Oct
13
Sat
Board Training: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities; Non-governing Boards @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Oct 13 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Learning objectives include:

  • Non-governing boards and committees
  • Laws governing nonprofit boards of directors
  • Bylaws
  • The role of the director: responsibilities & restrictions
  • Role of the lawyer on the board
  • Fiduciary duties
  • Conflict of interest
  • Directors & Officers insurance
  • Contracts
  • Strategic Planning

Price: $150

For details on registering for this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

Oct
15
Mon
Lab: Making the Ask @ WeWork Kinzie
Oct 15 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Leaders in non-profit organizations – board members, executive directors and everyone else – should be comfortable asking for money.  But, too few of them are actively doing it.

In this fast-paced, interactive session, fundraising veterans Christopher Jabin and Charles Katzenmeyer will offer a practical framework for identifying and cultivating prospective donors, engaging them in the work of your organization, getting the meeting, and finally, making the ask.

Participants in this Learning Lab will understand how to:

  • Identify prospective donors for a non-profit organization
  • Build cultivation efforts that help move distant prospects toward being top prospects
  • Request and structure a solicitation meeting
  • Make the ask and answer potential objections
  • Close a gift and begin donor stewardship

 

Fill out my online form.

 

Oct
19
Fri
Fall Orientation – Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA) @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Oct 19 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

BVA Orientation – October 2018

New business volunteers must attend a BVA Orientation before starting on a project. We offer the BVA Orientation four times a year— winter, spring, summer and fall on Friday afternoons from 2:00 – 5:00 pm in downtown Chicago.

The Fall application deadline is September 29. Apply here.

For more information about the BVA program, click here.

Nov
3
Sat
Board Training: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Nov 3 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Speaker: Megan Angle, CPA, Porte Brown LLC; A&BC Core Instructor

Learning objectives include:

  • Financial oversight and safeguarding of assets and nonprofit status
  • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Understanding nonprofit financial statements
  • Taxes including payroll and UBIT
  • Filing with the IRS and other government entities
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations.

For details on registering for this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

Nov
13
Tue
Breakfast Club: Funding Relationships @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Nov 13 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

Tuesday, November 13 from 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

The average nonprofit organization’s budget is made up of 65% contributed income. With the huge amount of philanthropic initiatives: political advocacy, health initiatives, animal welfare, and so much more, it’s crucial to create meaningful relationships and write winning narratives that illustrate your work is worthy of funding from corporate sponsors, foundations, and individual donors.

A&BC’s new Director of Strategic Partnerships, Yvonne Orr-El, will join Breakfast Club to facilitate a conversation around the lifespan of a funding relationship and what it takes to gain your donors’ satisfaction and trust.

 

Fill out my online form.

Dec
1
Sat
Board Training: Fundraising Landscape @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Dec 1 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

SpeakerCharles Katzenmeyer, VP Institutional Advancement, The Field Museum

Learning objectives include:

  • Funding landscape for nonprofit arts organizations and sector-wide trends in giving
  • Defining sources of philanthropic support
  • The role board members play in securing funds
  • How to structure the “ask”
  • Creating a donor cultivation calendar
  • Identifying ways to get the “get”

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations. For details on registering for this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

Dec
3
Mon
Lab: Data-Driven Marketing @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Dec 3 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Are you ready to take a spin in our crash-course on digital marketing? Boost engagement and bring in more revenue by putting your data to workMarilyn He (Analyst at Peapod) leads the final Learning Lab of 2018, focused on accessible data collection and reporting to reach your organization’s revenue goals. Learn the ins and outs of FREE resources to make informed, data-driven choices for your digital marketing.  

Learning objectives include:

  • An introduction to Google Analytics
  • Building quality surveys with Google Forms
  • Principles of A/B testing to maximize your campaigns
Fill out my online form.

 

Dec
5
Wed
Winter Wonder @ Chinese American Museum of Chicago
Dec 5 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Join us for Winter Wonder on December 5!

Arts & Business Council of Chicago, Chicago Cultural Alliance, and See Chicago Dance, three of Chicago’s top art service organizations, invite you to an eclectic event that celebrates the vibrancy of our sector.

Gambol, glide, and roll with movers and shakers in the arts for a fantastic evening of conversation, food, and loads of fun!

Detonate out your inner dancer and learn to salsa with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. Tickle your taste buds with some dim sum. Spin through the Chinese American Museum of Chicago’s exhibitions. Jerk to the jungle and dancehall beats of DJ C.

Forget that it’s winter and come celebrate the wonder of the arts!

Tickets $30
6 pm: Doors open
6:15 pm: Tour of The Way We Wore: Celebrating Chinese Fashion Heritage Exhibition
7 pm: Salsa dancing with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
7:30 pm: DJ & dancing

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Jan
8
Tue
Breakfast Club: Do I Really Need Insurance? @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Jan 8 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

Tuesday, January 8 from 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

Do I really need insurance? Yes. Even if I’m a small nonprofit? Still yes. Arts organization are inherently prone to risk. When you bring audiences into your space for a performance or exhibition, engage volunteers to fulfill your end of year appeal mailing, and throw incredible fundraiser events, you create opportunities for personal and financial risk.

Determining the insurance policies that are right for your organization is tricky. Join the conversation at Breakfast Club to connect with peers who are also in search of the best policies. We’ll discuss some best practices to consider and direct you to a policy that suits your needs.

Register for Breakfast Club here. 

Jan
25
Fri
Winter Orientation — Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA) @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Jan 25 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

BVA Orientation – January 2019

New business volunteers must attend a BVA Orientation before starting on a project. We offer the BVA Orientation four times a year— winter, spring, summer and fall on Friday afternoons from 2:00 – 5:00 pm in downtown Chicago.

The Winter application deadline is January 11. Apply here.

For more information about the BVA program, click here.

Feb
2
Sat
Board Training: Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Feb 2 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Presenter: Kristin Larsen, Executive Director, Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Topics include:

  • Structures of arts organizations and their boards—staffing, income, and programming models
  • Life cycle of arts organizations, from the founding board to the working board and the governing board
  • Relationship between the board and staff, and challenges posed by staffing and board transitions

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations. For details on registering for this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

Feb
5
Tue
Breakfast Club: Advocacy and the Nonprofit Voice @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Feb 5 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

In preparation for Arts Advocacy Day, join us to learn how you can approach your legislators to champion the cultural policy issues that are most important to you and your organization. Jonathan VanderBrug, Policy and Research Director at Arts Alliance Illinois, will join the conversation on how your nonprofit organization can use its voice to advocate for important issues such as the CREATE Act or full-funding for the NEA and the NEH without losing your 501(c)3 status. With the upcoming Chicago Mayoral election, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Tuesday, February 5 from 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

Register for Breakfast Club here. 

Feb
12
Tue
Headshot Happy Hour @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Feb 12 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm

The Arts & Business Council (A&BC) invites you to an evening of cocktails & conversation with The  LinkedIn Professor, Tajuana Ross. Show yourself some love by learning how to create an impressionable LinkedIn profile that stands out! Network with others and get a FREE professional headshot that showcases your personality, builds your personal brand and shows you in your best light!

New year, new YOU, new headshots & libations, too!

Tickets
A&BC Members
 $35
General $50

Registration will close at 12:00pm on February 12, but walk-ups at the event will be accepted!

Get a discount for this event & lots of other great benefits by joining our Membership Program today!

Membership Benefits >>

 

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Feb
13
Wed
On BOARD: Winter Meet the Boards
Feb 13 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Meet the Boards is a networking session for On BOARD candidates and arts organization boards to meet and learn about each other. Attendees discuss the mission and history of the organization, current and upcoming initiatives, and how new board members can contribute to the organization.

Interested organizations must fill out an arts client On BOARD application – the deadline for which is January 11, 2019.

Meet the Boards is by invitation only.

Feb
20
Wed
Lab: Building the Nonprofit Business Plan @ WeWork Grant Park
Feb 20 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Nonprofit organizations are born from creative ideas and passions for social good. To execute your mission and create real impact, you need to have a business plan. A business plan is your guide to defining your organization’s identity, developing solutions to your problems, and setting and measuring goals. You don’t need an MBA to run a successful organization, but you do need a plan to manage finances, be accountable to your vision, organize your team, and generate revenue and control expenditures to keep your ideas and passions alive. “Building the Nonprofit Business Plan” will help you do just that!

Instructor: Irv Michaels, Founder – Michaels Consulting, Ltd.
Click here to read Irv’s bio.

Learning objectives include:

  • Define your identity in the marketplace and your “problem worth solving”
  • Gain a clear understanding of your product / service and its relevance in the market
  • Explore financial aspects of the plan: developing generated revenues and necessary expenses
  • Learn the importance of setting goals, measuring results and responding to inevitable changes
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Presenter Bio:

Irv Michaels majored in accounting at college where his interest in the arts grew. His first job post-college was at Chess Records, where he worked as an administrator and nascent record producer. This led him to the intersection of traditional and creative businesses. He practiced at a local CPA firm, attaining senior partner status, serving entrepreneurial businesses. He 1986, Irv founded Michaels Consulting, Ltd., providing financial, business development, technology and human resources advice to graphic design firms, architecture firms and other creative organizations. The firm’s focus is to help creative businesses thrive.

Certifications: C.P.A.; Strategic LivePlan (business planning application) Expert Advisor; QuickBooks ProAdvisor; TSheets Pro Certified

Memberships: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Illinois CPA Society; Chicago Creative Coalition; Art Institute of Chicago; Business Solutions Network

 

 

Mar
2
Sat
Board Training: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities; Non-governing Boards @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Mar 2 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Learning objectives include:

  • Non-governing boards and committees
  • Laws governing nonprofit boards of directors
  • Bylaws
  • The role of the director: responsibilities & restrictions
  • Role of the lawyer on the board
  • Fiduciary duties
  • Conflict of interest
  • Directors & Officers insurance
  • Contracts
  • Strategic Planning

Price: $150

For questions about this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

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Mar
5
Tue
Breakfast Club: Board Coaching @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Mar 5 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

Tuesday, March 5 from 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

Board Coaching is back! We know that each board of directors is unique; they carry varied skill sets, they have different financial capabilities, and possess rare connections to the communities they live and work in. It’s no surprise that cookie-cutter board composition templates or governance best practices don’t always apply! All-star Business Volunteers for the Arts Ashleigh Brookshaw and John Bierbusse will join Breakfast Club to provide focused board coaching and facilitate connections between peers who may be experiencing similar challenges.

When registering below, please describe two of your greatest challenges when working with your organization’s board of directors. This may include governance, creation of new bylaws and policies, cohesive understanding of the organization’s mission, etc.

A cereal bar, tea, and coffee will be provided.

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Mar
12
Tue
Annual Benefit Luncheon | Arts & Business and Capacity: Exemplifying Cultural Equity
Mar 12 @ 11:30 am


Pictured: Xavier Ramey

Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 11:30 a.m.
Blue Cross-Blue Shield Building, 300 E. Randolph St., 30th Floor Event Center

 

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC) invites you to Arts & Business and Capacity: Exemplifying Cultural Equity.

The arts sector has a major impact on Chicago’s culture and commerce, supporting thousands of jobs and adding value to our civic lives. But does it truly reflect the people who call our city home? How can we, as individuals and organizations, contribute to Chicago’s vibrancy by lifting up our cultural diversity? Keynote speaker Xavier Ramey, chief executive officer of Justice Informed, joins this year’s luncheon to share why cultural equity should matter to your business, how it benefits the communities we serve, and why Chicago’s success depends on it. Ricardo Gamboa, award-winning artist, activist, and academic, will moderate discussion.

Come discover how the fusion of arts, our demographic composition, and economic development all tell a story about the vibrancy and future of Chicago!

For more information, email info@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312-372-1876, ext. 101.

Proceeds from this event benefit A&BC’s capacity building efforts throughout Chicago.

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago recognizes the generosity and lead sponsorship of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Illinois, MERGE, Segal Consulting, Aon Hewitt, Goodman Theatre, Willis Towers Watson, Boston Consulting Group, the Joffrey Ballet, and Elkay Manufacturing.

Sponsorship Opportunities >>

 

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– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

About Xavier Ramey
Xavier Ramey is the CEO of Justice Informed, LLC, a social impact consulting firm based in Chicago, IL. He is an award-winning social strategist, noted public speaker, and conflict mediator. Combining his background in economics, extensive management and social impact experience, and direct-action campaigning in the Black Lives Matter movement, Xavier leads a company that brings a wealth of experience and network to clients seeking catalyzed strategies for inclusion, philanthropy, CSR, and community engagement. A native Chicagoan, he is a recognizable voice on the topics of community and economic development, policing and policy violence, and connecting the Christian faith to our lived experience.

Xavier served as the lead of the Social Innovation and Philanthropy strategy in the University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement, managed multi-million dollar philanthropic portfolios to stimulate employment, and worked as a nonprofit Director of Development in Chicago’s North Lawndale community. Xavier is a founding member of the #LetUsBreathe Collective, an artist-activist organization committed to addressing State violence against people of color. He is a Board member of Young Chicago Authors, and the newly opened Chicago Center for Arts and Technology.

Mar
23
Sat
Board Training: Fundraising Landscape @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Mar 23 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Speaker: Charles Katzenmeyer, VP Institutional Advancement, The Field Museum

Learning objectives include:

  • Funding landscape for nonprofit arts organizations and sector-wide trends in giving
  • The role board members play in securing funds
  • How to structure the “ask”
  • Creating a donor cultivation calendar

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations.

For questions about this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

 

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Apr
2
Tue
Lab: QuickBooks Online @ WeWork State Street
Apr 2 @ 9:00 am – Apr 3 @ 12:00 pm

Tuesday, April 2 from 9:00am – 12:00pm
Wednesday, April 3 from 9:00am – 12:00pm

QuickBooks Online gives you many ways to improve your accounting efficiency and choose the processes and reports that are most important to your nonprofit organization. This hands-on Learning Lab will show you tips and shortcuts that’ll help you cut down on time spent working, while maximizing the accuracy of your accounting.

You’ll learn:

  • Overall settings and structure
  • User access
  • Memorized and automated transactions
  • Banking downloads and account reconciliations
  • Clients vs. vendors
  • Detail vs. summary transactions
  • Payroll setup, timesheets, and processing
  • Importing options to reduce data entry (i.e. from third-party payroll, PayPal, etc.)
  • Exporting data
  • Financial reports and notes
  • Audit preparation and attachments

And more! This Learning Lab is limited to 10 people. Registration will close once capacity is reached. Attendees must be available for both sessions.

Instructor: Yvonne Afable
Managing Partner, Accounting
Afable Consulting

Click here to read Yvonne’s bio.

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Presenter Bio:

Yvonne P. Afable is the Managing Partner of Accounting Services for Afable Consulting LLC, a firm providing accounting and technology support to not-for-profit organizations and small businesses. She earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting & Finance from DePaul University and is a Certified Management Accountant. After starting her career in public accounting, she decided to focus on the nonprofit industry and joined the management staff of American College of Surgeons and Rotary International.

For the past 18 years, she’s been consulting with nonprofit organizations and small businesses, helping them understand and tell their financial story. Using Intuit/QuickBooks and Sage products, she and her team offer services to meet each client’s needs: accounting system set-up and training, bookkeeping services including payroll processing, audit preparation, financial reporting and analysis, and documentation of fiscal policies and procedures.

Yvonne serves as Treasurer on the board of Kartemquin Educational Films and teaches the Financial Management course at the School of Art Institute and Zumba at LA Fitness, South Loop. She resides in Chicago, with her partner, Jose-Albin D. Afable. They have three children (Nicole, Gabrielle, and Justin) and two dogs (Kona and Kai).

Apr
13
Sat
Board Training: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Apr 13 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Speaker: Megan Angle, CPA & Manager, Porte Brown LLC

Learning objectives include:

  • Financial oversight and safeguarding of assets and nonprofit status
  • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Understanding nonprofit financial statements
  • Taxes including payroll and UBIT
  • Filing with the IRS and other government entities
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations.

For more information, or accessibility accommodations, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

 

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Apr
20
Sat
Business Volunteers for the Arts: Spring Orientation @ Teamwork Englewood
Apr 20 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Business Volunteers for the Arts® (BVA) connects skilled professionals with arts and cultural organizations in need of management assistance. Are you ready to join our pro bono consulting program and lend your professional abilities? Apply in time for our next volunteer orientation!

Orientations are offered in the winter, spring, summer and fall. Individuals wishing to join must submit a volunteer application, and participate in an introductory interview, prior to an orientation.

Application Deadline: Friday, April 12. Apply here.

For more information on the BVA program, click here.

May
7
Tue
Breakfast Club: Proposal Writing @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
May 7 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

Tuesday, May 7 from 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

Writing a stellar proposal to government, corporate, and foundation funders can be the key to getting support for your organization and special projects. As institutional funders lean more and more into demonstrable impact, how can arts and cultural organizations secure the funding they need to thrive? Alexandra Nelson of Juno Consulting joins Breakfast Club to guide a peer-to-peer conversation on successes and strategies in proposal writing.

A cereal bar, tea, and coffee will be provided.

This Breakfast Club is at capacity and can not accommodate any additional registrations. If you’d like to be placed on a waitlist, please contact Braden Cleary at bcleary@artsbiz-chicago.org.

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May
15
Wed
Lab: Budgets and Boards @ WeWork State Street
May 15 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

What function does the annual budget play in your organization? What decisions should a board make in setting or approving an annual budget? Although budgeting is a central duty for many boards, the answers to these questions can vary between organizations and different perspectives can lead to confusion and conflict. This Learning Lab will explore several frameworks for organizational budgeting and practices that can make the budget a more useful tool for planning and accountability throughout the year. This will include the processes of creating, approving, monitoring, and amending a budget.

Who should attend:

  • Executive Directors & Finance Staff
  • Board Members & Finance Committee Members

What you’ll learn:

  • How board and staff can create, approve, monitor, and amend a budget;
  • How your budget can be used as a tool for planning, reporting, control, and accountability; and
  • Who among board and staff hold responsibility for these functions.

Instructor: Corrigan Nadon-Nichols / Corrigan Consulting

Click here to read Corrigan’s bio.

For more information, and accessibility accommodations, email Braden Cleary at bcleary@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 x 105.

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Presenter Bio:

Corrigan helps people create healthy organizations where they can achieve their shared goals. He has assisted dozens of groups through initial formation, start-up, growth, and recovery phases. He provides training and consulting for boards to improve financial, management, and governance systems that suit the unique context and goals of each organization.

Jun
11
Tue
Breakfast Club: Marketing with a Mission
Jun 11 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

Tuesday, June 11 from 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

As arts administrators, we’ve all had moments where we feel like our message wasn’t clear, compelling, or different enough to land with the right audience – and get the results we want. Sometimes there can be an easy fix, but more often, these messages miss because they were never thoughtfully aligned with our missions. Business Volunteers for the Arts consultant Ben van Loon joins Breakfast Club to guide a peer-learning conversation around how organizations can truly understand their mission, identify needs, and meet their strategic goals through marketing and communications. Attendees will collaborate on challenges and identify resources to help organizations of all budget sizes market with a mission.

A cereal bar, tea, and coffee will be provided.

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Jul
18
Thu
Summer Bash 2019 @ Bridgeport Art Center
Jul 18 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

 

 

Thursday, July 18, 2019, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Bridgeport Art Center
1200 W. 35th Street

 

Summer Bash is BACK!

This year’s festivities will take place at the spectacular Bridgeport Art Center, a working space peppered with artist studios, galleries, and sculpture.

Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a summer soundtrack by DJ C (Jake Trussell). Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to sip on cool drinks, enjoy live entertainment from The Chicago Cuatro Orchestra Project, peruse a market of local creative enterprises, and mingle with fellow arts supporters – all in support of Chicago’s culture and commerce!

Food truck Tazacos Gourmet Tacos will be on deck with a variety of edible delights for purchase. For those who might find themselves wanting to capture the unforgettable evening, a Vivid Image photobooth awaits! Complimentary après performance sweets are also yours for the taking courtesy of Panache Ganache, culinary creators of decedent urbane cakes and confections.

And just when you think this evening can’t sound any better… The pièce de résistance: UNLIMITED ICED SHANDY, SANGRIA & BEER (brought to you by Marz Community Brewing Co., Aldi’s, and Aloe’$ Truck)!

Summer Bash celebrates the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s work and the many Chicagoans who make it happen. This year’s festivities also support our goal of reaching all 77 of the city’s community areas, by 2020. Grab your tickets and champion the city’s arts!

      

For more information, email info@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876, ext. 101.
Proceeds from this event directly benefit the Arts & Business Council of Chicago and the Bridgeport area nonprofits they serve.

Our Partners & Supporters

 

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago recognizes the generosity of Bridgeport Art Center and support from Paul Levy, former A&BC board chair and VP, Prairie Management Corporation.

Parking

 

Open parking is available at Bridgeport Art Center’s north parking lot.

About Bridgeport Art Center

 

The Bridgeport Art Center was established in 2001 and is a visually breathtaking creative home for artists, designers, and working professionals. Located in the former Spiegel Catalog Warehouse, this 500,000 square foot building features high ceilings with wood beams, exposed brick, and large windows with incredible city views.  This raw industrial work space is suitable for inspiration, woodworking, metal design, office spaces, and manufacturing / distribution.

Bridgeport Art Center also boasts two stunning event venues and three curated art galleries.  Our goal is to continually serve as a resource for imaginative minds and to be a home to the emerging and evolving Chicago area art scene.

Jul
24
Wed
Learning Lab: It’s Not All About the Give/Get @ WeWork Monroe Street
Jul 24 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

 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 is to reflect the community it serves, the sector must consider more equitable models of assessment.

By considering the entire scope of what an organization’s board of directors contributes in a year, organizations can ignite a sense of self-governance that increases committee participation and reduces stress on the Executive Director – all while meeting or exceeding board contribution goals.

In this workshop, you will learn:

  • To streamline your board of directors’ roles and responsibilities in the organization’s annual work plan;
  • To reduce board anxiety around giving capacities and prospecting new donors in their networks;
  • To create a framework for an equitable board of directors that is welcoming to marginalized groups (socioeconomic, gender identity, race, accessibility, etc.); and
  • To design a points-based assessment model that’s not all about the give / get

Presenters: Kristin Larsen / Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Joel Farran / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Click here to meet the presenters.

For more information, and accessibility accommodations, email Braden Cleary at bcleary@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 x 105.

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Meet the Presenters:

Kristin Larsen rejoined the Arts & Business Council of Chicago in 2017 after serving as Director of Programs in the early aughts. Prior to returning to A&BC, Kristin was Executive Director of Stage 773 (2013-2017), a performance venue in Lakeview and  Executive Director of Remy Bumppo Theater Company from 2002 to 2012. From 1995 to 2000 Kristin was a business representative with Actors’ Equity Association after many years of being an Equity Stage Manager. Kristin has her BFA in production management from The Theatre School, DePaul University and her MA in facilitating organizational effectiveness in the arts from DePaul University’s School for New Learning. Kristin serves on Americans for the Arts Private Sector Council, The Actors Fund Central Region Advisory Council, Pivot Arts Advisory Council and volunteers with DePaul’s Alumni Sharing Knowledge program and the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee. Kristin is an active member of the Unitarian Church of Evanston.

Joel Farran is the Chair of the Board of the Arts and Business Council of Chicago. Farran is the former Chief Brand Officer of Health Care Service Corporation.

Jul
27
Sat
Business Volunteers for the Arts: Summer Orientation @ Chicago Public Library – Little Village Branch
Jul 27 @ 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

Business Volunteers for the Arts® (BVA) connects skilled professionals with arts and cultural organizations in need of management assistance. Are you ready to join our pro bono consulting program and lend your professional abilities? Apply in time for our next volunteer orientation!

Orientations are offered in the winter, spring, summer and fall. Individuals wishing to join must submit a volunteer application, and participate in an introductory interview, prior to an orientation.

Application Deadline: Sunday, July 7. Apply here.

For more information on the BVA program, click here.

Aug
21
Wed
Lab: What Is Public Relations and Why is It Important? @ WeWork State Street
Aug 21 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Photo: Dawn R. Stephens

What is public relations? There are many different responses to this question, but arts and culture leaders should be most concerned with managing their organizations’ public image and reputation.

Whether you are connecting with media outlets, community members, or target audiences, a strong public relations plan can help increase your name recognition. By strategically communicating your mission your organization can build audiences and generate revenue like never before.

In this workshop, you will learn to:

  • Define public relations and understand how it affects your business;
  • Increase your brand recognition by using low cost (and no cost!) public relations tools;
  • Implement strategies to develop target audiences for your organization; and
  • Create credibility by managing your image and reputation.

Presenter: Vanessa Abron / Agency Abron Public Relations

Click here to read Vanessa’s bio. 

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Meet the Presenter:

Vanessa Abron is a public relations professional with expertise in securing positive media coverage for brands in national and local media outlets such as Good Morning America, Extra, The Insider, The Huffington Post, The Breakfast Club, the Associated Press, and ABC News to name a few.  Some of her past client work includes, but aren’t limited to, Aflac, Illinois Lottery, Chicago 2016, Pringles, Adidas, Salesforce.com, ComEd, American Optometric Association, Mercedes-Benz, Nike, Interscope Records, Def Jam Recording, Virgin Records and Reebok.  Vanessa’s experience represents a broad range of public relations initiatives in a variety of industries, making her a valuable asset to any campaign. She accredits her success on her passion for continuously building positive relationships with a broad spectrum of individuals combined with her steadfast commitment to ensuring that the media, community and the client all receive mutually beneficial rewards from any project.

Sep
10
Tue
Breakfast Club: Working at the Intersection of “Arts &” @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Sep 10 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

It’s time for a reality check: “art for art’s sake” may be a thing of the past.

Arts and cultural nonprofits (as well as those who fund them) are shifting to uplift social causes in our communities. Organizations working in areas like arts & housing, arts & health, and arts & veterans’ affairs are now leading the way in America and reframing the role of art in our society. But are you prepared for this new funding landscape?

Join Breakfast Club to learn from organizations working in and exploring this new space: the “arts &” intersection.

Who should attend: nonprofit administrators, creative practitioners, board leadership, and artist-activists

Registration: $5
A cereal bar, coffee, and tea will be provided.

For more information, and accessibility accommodations, email Braden Cleary at bcleary@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 ext. 105.

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About Breakfast Club
The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

Sep
14
Sat
Board Lab: Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Sep 14 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Presenter: Kristin Larsen, Executive Director, Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Topics include:

  • Structures of arts and cultural organizations and their boards
  • Life cycle of nonprofit organizations, from the founding board to the working board and the governing board—board governance, staffing and structure, income generation, and programming models
  • Expectations of board contributions of time, talent, and treasure
  • Relationship between the board and staff, and challenges posed by staffing and board transitions

This training also features a panel of an arts administrator leaders and On BOARD alumni.

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations. For questions about this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

 

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