Events

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.

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.

[wufoo username=”artsbizchicago” formhash=”zt2gkvx0k9ah09″ autoresize=”true” height=”1476″ header=”show” ssl=”true”]

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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Sep
25
Wed
On BOARD: Fall Meet the Boards
Sep 25 @ 6:00 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 23, 2019.

Meet the Boards is by invitation only.

Oct
1
Tue
Breakfast Club: Board Coaching @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Oct 1 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Each board of directors is unique; they carry varied skill sets, 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!

Experienced board coaches from the Arts & Business Council’s Business Volunteers for the Arts program will join Breakfast Club to provide focused board coaching and facilitate connections between peers on issues like:

  • governance and leadership;
  • creation of new policies;
  • creating cohesive understanding of the organization’s mission;
  • being an ambassador for the organization; and more!

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.

 

[wufoo username=”artsbizchicago” formhash=”zkj8sgh1f2lge7″ autoresize=”true” height=”1739″ header=”show” ssl=”true”]


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.

Oct
19
Sat
Board Leadership Lab: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Oct 19 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

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

Learning objectives include:

  • Financial oversight; policy creation and compliance; and safeguarding of assets
    • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Achieving financial accountability
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow
  • Taxes including payroll, UBIT, and changes to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles)
  • Maintaining nonprofit status through tax compliance – filing with the IRS and other government entities

Price: $150

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

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

 

[wufoo username=”artsbizchicago” formhash=”rfjm3wa0c2ivdp” autoresize=”true” height=”2351″ header=”show” ssl=”true”]

Nov
5
Tue
Breakfast Club: #GivingTuesday @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Nov 5 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

#GivingTuesday (December 3, 2019) is a global day of giving to nonprofit organizations and causes that are tackling critical issues and bettering communities all over the world. Arts, cultural, and creative organizations often find great success in their #GivingTuesday campaigns, but it can be hard to break through the noise and effectively tell your story to potential donors. Join Breakfast Club to connect with peers on preparing your campaign, hitting your goals, and setting a plan for continued stewardship for your donors.

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.

[wufoo username=”artsbizchicago” formhash=”zt2gkvx0k9ah09″ autoresize=”true” height=”1476″ header=”show” ssl=”true”]


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.

Nov
16
Sat
Board Leadership Lab: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities; Non-governing Boards @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Nov 16 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Presenters:
Patricia Marx, Attorney, Quarles & Brady LLP
Cris Beilstein, Consultant

Learning objectives include:

  • Laws governing nonprofit boards of directors
  • The role of the director: responsibilities & restrictions
  • Bylaws
  • Understanding the importance of Directors & Officers insurance
  • Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, and Duty of Obedience
  • Conflict of interest
  • Executive leadership responsibilities
  • Committees and non-governing boards – associate, auxiliary, advisory
  • The importance and process of strategic planning

Price: $150

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

[wufoo username=”artsbizchicago” formhash=”rfjm3wa0c2ivdp” autoresize=”true” height=”2351″ header=”show” ssl=”true”]

Dec
7
Sat
Board Leadership Lab: Fundraising Landscape & Arts Advocacy @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Dec 7 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

 

Speakers:
Charles Katzenmeyer, VP Institutional Advancement, The Field Museum
Jonathan VanderBrug, Policy & Research Director, Arts Alliance Illinois

Learning objectives include:

  • Funding landscape for nonprofit organizations and sector-wide trends in giving
  • The role board members play in securing funds
  • Identifying prospects and creating an “ask”
  • Creating a donor cultivation strategy
  • Understanding current cultural policies and advocacy tips and resources

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.

 

[wufoo username=”artsbizchicago” formhash=”rfjm3wa0c2ivdp” autoresize=”true” height=”2351″ header=”show” ssl=”true”]

Mar
7
Sat
On BOARD® Lab: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members @ WeWork Monroe
Mar 7 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Topics include:

  • Laws governing nonprofit boards of directors
  • The role of the director: responsibilities & restrictions
  • Bylaws
  • Understanding the importance of Directors & Officers insurance
  • Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, and Duty of Obedience
  • Conflict of interest
  • Executive leadership responsibilities
  • Committees and non-governing boards: associate, auxiliary, advisory
  • The importance and process of strategic planning

Presenters: Braden Cleary / Director, Arts Services / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Patricia Spiccia Marx / Attorney / Quarels & Brady

Cris Beilstein / Consultant / Elevation Collaborative

Price: $150

[wufoo username=”artsbizchicago” formhash=”rfjm3wa0c2ivdp” autoresize=”true” height=”2351″ header=”show” ssl=”true”]

Mar
19
Thu
CANCELLED: Arts & Drafts @ Osito's Tap
Mar 19 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS SURROUNDING COVID-19.

 

Thursday, March 19, 2020, 6 – 8 p.m.
Osito’s Tap, 2553 S. Ridgeway Ave.

What’s better than making new connections, sharing ideas, and having a local beer?

Meet us at Arts & Drafts, a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mix of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. If you believe in the power of the arts, want to make a difference in our city, or simply feel like getting to know Chicago a little better, this mixer’s for you!

Arts & Drafts is a casual opportunity to network, expand your circle, meet up with friends, and make new ones. Do you have a question about the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, our 77 Communities Initiative, or Business Volunteers for the Arts? Swing by and get it answered!

FREE to attend and open to all. Come for the networking, stay for the reposado.

For more information, email Kenneth Franco at kfranco@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 ext. 102.

Happy Hour pricing will be available between 6 – 8 p.m.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Parking

A parking lot can be found next to Osito’s Tap (accessible from Ridgeway). Metered parking can also be found off 26th Street and Ridgeway Avenue.

Special thanks to Osito’s Tap and owner Mike Moreno.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
About Arts & Drafts

Arts & Drafts is a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mix of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. The goal: To encourage new partnerships and relationships.

Future Dates:

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
About Osito’s Tap

Osito’s Tap, established in 2019, is a speakeasy-style bar focused on the art of craft spirts, craft beer, and craft cocktails. This community-oriented space, set inside a historic grey stone building, was once the front to an underground bookie joint and, during the early 1900’s, home to a Bohemian bar for Czech immigrants. Today’s incarnation of the bar brings in a modern Latin flair and blend of the Little Village neighborhood’s rich cultural history, giving customers a unique experience filed with exotic and rare drink offerings. Osito’s Tap is a grant recipient of the City of Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund.

Apr
4
Sat
On BOARD® Lab: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues @ Webinar
Apr 4 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Topics include:

  • Financial oversight; policy creation and compliance; and safeguarding of assets
    • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Achieving financial accountability
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow
  • Taxes including payroll, UBIT, and changes to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles)
  • Maintaining nonprofit status through tax compliance – filing with the IRS and other government entities

Presenter: Megan Angle, CPAManager / Porte Brown LLC

Price: $150

[wufoo username=”artsbizchicago” formhash=”rfjm3wa0c2ivdp” autoresize=”true” height=”2351″ header=”show” ssl=”true”]

May
2
Sat
On BOARD® Lab: Fundraising & Arts Advocacy in the COVID-19 Crisis (Webinar) @ Webinar
May 2 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
On BOARD® Lab: Fundraising & Arts Advocacy in the COVID-19 Crisis (Webinar) @ Webinar | Chicago | Illinois | United States

Topics include:

  • Funding landscape for nonprofit organizations and sector-wide trends in giving
  • The role board members play in securing funds
  • Creating a donor cultivation strategy
  • The role of board members in arts advocacy
  • Emerging issues in arts & cultural policy including The CARES Act and the government’s role in COVID-19 response

Presenters: Suzanne Griffith / Navigate Nonprofits

Jonathan VanderBrug / Deputy Director, Civic Engagement / Arts Alliance Illinois

Price: Pay-What-You-Can

All dollars earned from this On BOARD® Lab will go directly toward our efforts to creatively and accessibly provide support and lend expertise to nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 crisis.

Fill out my online form.

Jun
25
Thu
CANCELLED: Arts & Drafts @ Motor Row Brewing
Jun 25 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS SURROUNDING COVID-19.

 

Thursday, June 25, 2020, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Motor Row Brewing, 2337 S. Michigan Ave.

What’s better than making new connections, sharing ideas, and having a local beer?

Meet us at Arts & Drafts, a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mix of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. If you believe in the power of the arts, want to make a difference in our city, or simply feel like getting to know Chicago a little better, this event’s for you!

Arts & Drafts is a casual opportunity to network, expand your circle, meet up with friends, and make new ones. Do you have a question about the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, our 77 Communities Initiative, or Business Volunteers for the Arts? Swing by and get it answered!

FREE to attend. Open to all. See you there.

For more information, email Kenneth Franco at kfranco@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 ext. 102.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
About Arts & Drafts

Arts & Drafts is a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mashup of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. The goal: To encourage new partnerships and relationships.

Future Dates:

Sep
14
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities @ Webinar
Sep 14 @ 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 organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities is part 1 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • Structures of arts and cultural organizations and their boards
  • Phases of development of nonprofit organizations, from the founding board to the working board and the governing board
  • Analysis of the board’s role in planning, governance, staffing & structure, income generation, audience development & marketing, financial management, and facilities management
  • Expectations of board contributions of time, talent, and treasure
  • Relationship between the board and staff, and challenges posed by staffing and board transitions

Presenter: Braden Cleary / Director of Arts Services / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Sep
28
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members @ Webinar
Sep 28 @ 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 organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members is part 2 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • General roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members
  • Key fiduciary duties of nonprofit board members
    • Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, Duty of Obedience
  • Liability and protections for board members, the importance of Directors & Officers insurance
  • Additional considerations for public charities and private foundations with 501(c)(3) status
  • Important reporting obligations at the state and federal level

Presenter: Patricia S. Marx / Associate / Quarles & Brady, LLP

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Oct
1
Thu
CANCELLED: Arts & Drafts @ TBA
Oct 1 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Thursday, October 1, 2020, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: TBA

What’s better than making new connections, sharing ideas, and having a local beer?

Meet us at Arts & Drafts, a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mix of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. If you believe in the power of the arts, want to make a difference in our city, or simply feel like getting to know Chicago a little better, this event’s for you!

Arts & Drafts is a casual opportunity to network, expand your circle, meet up with friends, and make new ones. Do you have a question about the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, our 77 Communities Initiative, or Business Volunteers for the Arts? Swing by and get it answered!

FREE to attend. Open to all. See you there.

For more information, email Kenneth Franco at kfranco@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 ext. 102.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
About Arts & Drafts

Arts & Drafts is a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mashup of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. The goal: To encourage new partnerships and relationships.

Future Dates:

Oct
12
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Nonprofit Board Committee Structures & Strategic Planning @ Webinar
Oct 12 @ 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 organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Nonprofit Board Committee Structures & Strategic Planning is part 3 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • An exploration of typical standing and ad hoc committees on a board of directors
  • Appropriate times to form a committee and signs that a committee isn’t a good choice
  • Non-governing boards and their relationships to the board of directors and the organization
    • Auxiliary boards, associate boards, junior boards, advisory boards
  • Defining key vocabulary terms for strategic planning
  • Advantages of creating and using a strategic plan
  • How to approach the strategic planning process and the board’s critical role in planning

Presenter: Braden Cleary / Director of Arts Services / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Cris Beilstein / Consultant / Elevation Collaborative

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Oct
26
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues (Webinar) @ Webinar
Oct 26 @ 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 organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues is part 4 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • Financial oversight; policy creation and compliance; and safeguarding of assets
    • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Achieving financial accountability
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow at a nonprofit organization
  • Taxes including payroll, UBIT, and recent changes to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles)
  • Maintaining nonprofit status through tax compliance
    • Filing with the IRS and other government entities

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Nov
9
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Demystifying Fundraising for Board Members (Webinar) @ 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 organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Demystifying Fundraising and the Role of Board Members is part 5 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • Sources of funding: foundations, corporations, individuals, government
  • Uses of funding: restricted, unrestricted, sponsorship
  • Designing your organization’s strategic fundraising engagement process
  • The three important roles that the board plays in fundraising
  • Developing a culture of philanthropy that is intentional and inclusive

Presenter: Suzanne Griffith / Vega Partners

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Nov
23
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Arts Advocacy for Board Members (Webinar) @ 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 organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Arts Advocacy for the Nonprofit Board Member is part 6 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • The definition of advocacy
  • How to create your story to advocate for arts, culture, and creativity
  • Tactics for delivering your advocacy message to key decision makers or stakeholders
  • Current events and cultural policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels
  • Differences between advocacy and lobbying and the do’s and do not’s for board members

Presenter: Jonathan VanderBrug / Deputy Director – Civic Engagement / Arts Alliance Illinois

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Feb
15
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities @ Webinar
Feb 15 @ 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 organizations. Individuals who participate in the On BOARD® Labs demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Topics in Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities include:

  • Structures of arts and cultural organizations and their boards
  • Phases of development of nonprofit organizations, from the founding board to the working board and the governing board
  • Analysis of the board’s role in planning, governance, staffing & structure, income generation, audience development & marketing, financial management, and facilities management
  • Expectations of board contributions of time, talent, and treasure
  • Using committees and non-governing boards to amplify the work of your organization

Presenter: Braden Cleary / Director of Arts Services / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Price: $35

Fill out my online form.

Apr
12
Mon
On BOARD®: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members @ Webinar
Apr 12 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
On BOARD®: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members @ Webinar | Chicago | Illinois | United States

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 organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

 

Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members is part 2 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To learn more about the full program curriculum, click here.

Topics include:

  • General roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members
  • Key fiduciary duties of nonprofit board members
    • Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, Duty of Obedience
  • Liability and protections for board members, the importance of Directors & Officers insurance
  • Additional considerations for public charities and private foundations with 501(c)(3) status
  • Important reporting obligations at the state and federal level

Presenter: Patricia S. Marx / Associate / Quarles & Brady, LLP

Price: $35

Fill out my online form.

Jun
14
Mon
On BOARD®: Understanding the Numbers: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues @ Webinar
Jun 14 @ 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 organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues is part 3 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • Financial oversight; policy creation and compliance; and safeguarding of assets
    • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Achieving financial accountability
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow at a nonprofit organization
  • Taxes including payroll, UBIT, and recent changes to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles)
  • Maintaining nonprofit status through tax compliance
    • Filing with the IRS and other government entities

Presenter: Megan Angle / Partner / Porte Brown Accountants and Advisors

Price: $35

Fill out my online form.

Aug
16
Mon
On BOARD®: The Importance of Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations @ Webinar
Aug 16 @ 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 organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

The Importance of Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations is part 4 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum.

Topics include:

  • Defining key vocabulary terms for strategic planning
  • Advantages of creating and using a strategic plan
  • How to approach the strategic planning process and the board’s critical role in planning

Presenter: Cris Beilstein / Consultant / Elevation Collaborative

Price: $35

Oct
18
Mon
On BOARD® Demystifying Fundraising for Board Members @ Webinar
Oct 18 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

There is always going to be chaos, a crisis, or disruption – an economic downturn, funders’ shifting priorities, and some years- it’s a pandemic.

How are you managing the moment?

Join us for this participatory workshop focusing on the tried-and-true principals of fundraising that will help you weather any storm.

In this moment, your greatest asset is your staff and board’s ability to communicate and steward stakeholders. In fact, the smaller you are the better positioned you may be to grow your contributed revenue.

Topics to be discussed:

  • Designing your organization’s strategic fundraising engagement process
  • The three important roles that the board plays in fundraising
  • Developing a culture of philanthropy that is intentional and inclusive
  • And with all the Relief funding being made available: Uses of funding: restricted, unrestricted, sponsorship

Presenter: Suzanne Griffith, Founder and Managing Principal of VEGA Partners a firm that focuses on leveraging companies and philanthropies social impact solutions.

Dec
6
Mon
On BOARD: Arts Advocacy for the Nonprofit Board Member (on demand only) @ On Demand Webinar
Dec 6 @ 12:00 am

Arts Advocacy for the Nonprofit Board Member, the final session (6/6) of the full On BOARD® curriculum is available on demand.  

In this session you will walk away with 1-3 actions that you can bring back to your organization to help sustain its mission through advocacy. 

Topics include: 

  • Current events and cultural policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels that affect your organization
  • How to use this moment to tell your story and advocate for arts, culture, and creativity
  • Tactics for delivering your advocacy message to key decision makers or stakeholders
  • Differences between advocacy and lobbying and the ““do’s and don’ts” for board members 

Presenter: Jonathan VanderBrug, Director of Civic Engagement, Arts Alliance Illinois. Jonathan coordinated the process of updating Illinois’ arts learning standards, as well as played a lead role in advocacy to include the arts as an indicator in Illinois’ ESSA State Plan.  Jonathan has also served as Health Care Justice Director, Campaign for Better Health Care; Calumet Community Educator, The Field Museum; Executive Director, St. Louis Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition; and Policy Adviser, Michigan House of Representatives.  He earned his Master of Nonprofit Administration degree from North Park University and B.A. in English Literature from Calvin College. All of Jonathan’s work has carried the spirit of the civil rights efforts of his parents, who fought for school desegregation as residents of North Lawndale in the 1960’s.

 

Oct
20
Thu
On BOARD: Demystifying Fundraising for Nonprofits @ Online
Oct 20 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

At the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, we are creating a world where creativity is universally valued as a resource with limitless potential for social and economic impact. We are an arts service organization focused on serving Chicago’s cultural workers and enterprises through consulting, programming, and mentorship to ensure community vitality and an equitable creative economy. 

One of the ways in which we fulfill our mission is through On BOARD®, the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership learning program. Throughout six sessions, we prepare individuals ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations to understand and own their role as board members successfully.  

On BOARD®: Demystifying Fundraising for Nonprofit Board Members 

One of the many responsibilities of Board Members is to leverage their strengths to engage donors and supporters. But asking for money and advocating for the support of an organization is scary – for new and existing Board Members. In this interactive Learning Lab, you’ll get to know where the money comes from and gain practical know-how on how you will be expected to fundraise and activate your networks.  

Participants will learn: 

  • The board’s role in fundraising  
  • The primary uses of funding board members can solicit from their networks 
  • Principles of designing your organization’s strategic fundraising engagement process 
  • Tactics for creating a compelling case for support that board members can use to solicit support and advocate for your organization 
  • How to develop a culture of philanthropy that is intentional and inclusive 

Content Expert: Braden Cleary, Client Engagement Lead at VEGA Partners

Price: $50 (2-for-1). Register and invite a friend to participate in this event!

Register here

Braden Cleary (he / him) is the Client Engagement Lead at VEGA Partners, a social impact consulting firm that works with businesses, government, philanthropies, and nonprofits to develop powerful strategies that deliver sustainable results. Braden works with clients in a variety of different issue areas and sectors, but has background and interest in arts & cultural management, board governance, and philanthropy. Dedicated to making meaningful contributions to the social impact sector, Braden currently serves on the Excellent Emerging Organizations Committee at North Park University’s Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management and is a former member of the Philanthropic Advisory Group at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Questions about this event? 

Email Constanza Mendoza, A&BC’s Director of Programs, at cmendoza@artsbiz-chicago.org 

Dec
14
Wed
On BOARD 2022: Board Cultivation. Actionable Insights on Board Recruitment, Engagement & Assessment @ Online
Dec 14 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

At the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, we are creating a world where creativity is universally valued as a resource with limitless potential for social and economic impact. We are an arts service organization focused on serving Chicago’s cultural workers and enterprises through consulting, programming, and mentorship to ensure community vitality and an equitable creative economy. 

One of the ways in which we fulfill our mission is through On BOARD®, the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program. Throughout six sessions we prepare individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations to successfully understand and own their role as board members.  

On BOARD®: Board Cultivation. Actionable Insights on Board Recruitment, Engagement, and Assessment 

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 their treasure ‘capacity’? If a board of directors is to reflect the community it serves, the sector must consider more equitable qualifications.   

Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC) Executive Director Kristin Larsen will present her innovative, point-based, planning and assessment model to engage boards of directors. Larsen 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 groups that have been historically marginalized.  

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.  

We encouraged Executive Directors, Artistic Directors (directly interfacing with board of directors), Board Presidents, and Chairs of Board Governance committees to participate in this session.

Learning objectives  

  1. Attendees will understand how to translate their board’s Roles & Responsibilities into supporting the organization’s annual operating and work plans  
  2. Attendees will understand how to use this tool to ease board recruitment practices  
  3. Attendees will gain skills in motivating current board members to contribute to prospecting and communicating within their own networks  
  4. Attendees will understand how to utilize this tool to increase committee participation and motivate self-governance, reducing their stress and time in board management  
  5. Attendees will understand how to use this tool to increase board attendance at special events and fundraisers; also motivate board members to bring new guests to special events and fundraisers  
  6. Attendees will gain knowledge of how this tool can create board equity (socioeconomic, gender, race, access, etc.)  
  7. Attendees will expand the tenure of their board members using this tool as it presents a visible and tangible representation of a board member’s contributions 

 

Content Experts: Kristin Larsen, Executive Director at the Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC), and Simi Gambhir, Board Member at A&BC.

 

Price: $50 (2-for-1).

Session format: 90 minutes of content

 

Jan
24
Tue
On BOARD 2023: Nonprofit Organizational Structures @ Online
Jan 24 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

On BOARD®: Nonprofit Organizational Structures – Looking at Transformative Governance Models

This session is part 1 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. You can attend this single session or register for the full program here.

Who owns a nonprofit? This question is a bit more complicated than it seems! In this session, we will answer this question and learn about conventional board governance models while critically asking ourselves what it takes to imagine alternative models.

This introductory session will cover it all: from structures of arts and cultural organizations and expectations of board contributions of time, talent, and treasure to imagining new nonprofit governance models rooted in care, social justice, and systemic change.

Topics:

  • Structures of arts and cultural organizations and their boards
  • Phases of development of nonprofit organizations, from the founding board to the working board and the governing board
  • Analysis of the board’s role in planning, governance, staffing & structure, income generation, audience development & marketing, financial management, and facilities management
  • Expectations of board contributions of time, talent, and treasure
  • Using committees and non-governing boards to amplify the work of your organization

Content Expert:

Bryan Perry is Vice President and General Counsel for Northern Illinois University (NIU). He focuses his practice in the areas of governance, labor and employment, NCAA athletics, and complex litigation.

He serves as a member of the President’s senior leadership team and as chief legal advisor and counsel to NIU’s executive officers and Board of Trustees. In the role of General Counsel, he coordinates all legal services for the university and manages the team of lawyers and administrative professionals who serve in the Office of General Counsel, Employee and Labor Relations, and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office.

Bryan chairs the 6,000-member Employment & Labor Law Network of the Association of Corporate Counsel and in 2021 was selected by the National Black Lawyers Top 100, an elite network of legal experts, for inclusion into its list of Top 100 Lawyers.

Bryan currently chairs the monthly conference of Illinois public university general counsels and has served on many NACUA committees through his years of membership.

In his spare time, Bryan is chair of the Board of Directors for the Southside Community Art Center and also serves on the boards of Just The Beginning and Ready @ 5.

Bryan received his BS from Morgan State University and JD from the University of Maryland, where he was a member of the national Jessup international law moot court team.

Price: $50

Mar
28
Tue
On BOARD 2023: Legal and Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members @ Online
Mar 28 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations.  

On BOARD: Legal and Fiduciary Responsibilities + Ethical Considerations for Board Members

What are the spoken and unspoken responsibilities of board members? How can board members enact agency to respond to today’s major issues in the nonprofit sector? 

Serving as a board member can be one of the most challenging and rewarding volunteer assignments. While appointment or election to a board is an honor, board members have significant legal and fiduciary responsibilities that require time, skill, and resources.  

In this session, we will cover board members’ general roles and responsibilities and key fiduciary duties, liability and protection for board members, and corruption and cybercrimes.  

Topics include 

  • General roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members  
  • The Business Judgment Rule  
  • Key fiduciary duties of nonprofit board members  
  • Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, Duty of Obedience  
  • Liability and protection for board members, the importance of Directors & Officers insurance  
  • Corruption and Cybercrimes – Bribery, Fraud, Extortion Considerations  

Presenter: Shermin Kruse, Law Professor at Northwestern Pritzker and Negotiation Consultant  

Price: $50

Mar
31
Fri
Group Leadership Coaching Program
Mar 31 @ 4:00 pm – Apr 16 @ 8:00 pm

 

Group Leadership Coaching Program

 

At the Arts & Business Council (A&BC), we understand the difficulties faced by arts leaders who have recently taken on a senior position in a nonprofit organization. With the added pressure of the pandemic, these leaders are expected to manage their staff, engage with their boards, and envision new models for transforming work culture to support equity.

That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our latest offering, the “Group Leadership Coaching Program.” This six-month pilot program is designed to empower 10 arts leaders from 5 organizations to solve complex issues and lead their organizations with confidence.

As a participant in this program, you’ll be one member of a cohort of ten arts leaders from five nonprofit organizations. Through group and individual coaching sessions, you’ll build meaningful relationships, receive ongoing support, and solve complex problems together.

The Group Leadership Coaching Program is specifically designed for arts leaders who are new to senior roles and are grappling with the pandemic’s impact. Our goal is to provide a supportive space for you to navigate complex issues and develop your leadership skills.

We’re accepting applications from two senior leaders within the same nonprofit, the “lead applicant” being the new arts leader and the “second applicant” being a staff or board member. This approach is designed to help the new leader work with an internal colleague to create shared understanding, team alignment, and collective action toward the priorities affecting the organization’s mission, operations, and management.

We’re proud to collaborate with Emmanuel Neal, a Management Consultant, Executive Coach, and Ph.D. candidate at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, to bring you this program.

If you’re a new arts leader looking to develop your skills and build a supportive network of peers, we encourage you to apply for the Group Leadership Coaching Program. This is your chance to work with a colleague to create team alignment and navigate this time of transformation together.

 

Scroll down to read about:

  • The Coaching Program
  • Eligibility Criteria
  • Application Process
  • Coaches and Facilitators
  • Q&A

 

About the Coaching Program

The International Coaching Federation defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity, and leadership.

The Group Leadership Coaching Program will be co-facilitated by four executive coaches, including Emmanuel Neal, who has been coaching arts leaders for 10 years and has been a volunteer for 3 years with A&BC’s Business Volunteer for the Arts® program.

While Emmanuel and his colleagues are consultants, this program’s nature is to offer 1:1 coaching and encourage group dynamics to solve problems together. To that end, this program is not a consulting service; we won’t be reviewing grants, business plans, or any other consultative tasks. Instead, you will share your current challenges with your cohort and collectively get actionable insights and tools to solve them together. Read about the coaching topics below.

Format:

  • Group coaching sessions with all organizations
  • 1:1 coaching with (only) new arts leaders (lead applicant)

Duration: July – December 2023

Time commitment: 3 hours per month

  • Group sessions last 2 hours, and meet once per month in person.
  • Individual sessions last 1 hour, and meet once per month online.

The group sessions (2 hours long) will be held on Tuesday evenings between 4 pm to 8 pm. The exact times will be determined with participants after acceptance:

  • July 11th – 1st session
  • August 8th – 2nd session
  • Sept 12th – 3rd session
  • Oct 10th – 4th session
  • Nov 14th – 5th session
  • Dec 12th – 6th session

Location: Hybrid. Group sessions will meet in person (TBD cohort member locations) and individual coaching will be conducted through Zoom.

Topics: The group session topics will be collectively decided based on the general areas shared below

  • Leadership Development
  • Team Building and Collaboration
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Career Development
  • Stress Management and Resilience
  • Financial Management
  • Marketing and Audience Development
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Legal and Compliance
  • Board and Governance
  • Strategic Planning

Coaches (bios below):

  • Emmanuel Neal, Management Consultant and Executive Coach, Ph.D. Candidate at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology
  • Laticia (Dr. Tish) Thompson, Ph.D., Founder & Chief Business Psychologist at Legacy Blueprint, LLC
  • Chandra McPherson, Ph.D., Founder CLM Executive Coaching & Consulting
  • Lawrence James, Ph.D., Managing Partner at Lawrence James Jr & Associates

Cost: Participation in the program is free.

 

Eligibility Criteria

For this pilot program, we are seeking new leaders (executive, administrative, or artistic staff) to apply with a another/ second leader (staff or board) from their organization. We define “new leaders” as having been in their current role for less than 18 months.

To qualify for this opportunity, your answers to the following statement must be “yes”:

  • The lead applicant is a senior staff leader who has been in their role for less than 18- months
  • The applicant is representing a Chicago-based arts organization that has been in existence for at least 7 years
  • The organization has a board of at least 5 members, not including staff
  • Another leader (staff or board) within the organization has agreed to participate in this program. (It is not necessary for the second applicant to be new to their role.)

The coaches with A&BC staff will evaluate applications based on:

  • Organization’s commitment to racial equity
  • Alignment of motivations and needs with the program’s coaching topics
  • Availability to attend group coaching sessions.

 

Application Process

Please follow this link to submit your application before April 16th, 2023, 5:00 pm CST.

We recommend having the following documents handy before applying:

  • IRS letter designating 501c3 status
  • Bios of applicants if no LinkedIn or website link

All applicants will be notified by A&BC no later than May 5, 2023. Five organizations, with two leaders from each, will be invited to join the cohort.

If your organization is invited to be a cohort member, the Lead Applicant will be required to reply by May 12, 2023, agreeing to:

  • Officially join the cohort and engage in 1:1 and group coaching between July and December 2023
  • Complete the survey to indicate topics for group coaching sessions
  • Read and accept the standards of conduct
  • Attend 4 of the 6 group coaching sessions
  • Complete a post-engagement survey

In the meantime, please save the dates of the 6 group coaching sessions to be held on Tuesdays evenings between 4 pm – 8 pm:

  • July 11th – 1st session
  • August 8th – 2nd session
  • Sept 12th – 3rd session
  • Oct 10th – 4th session
  • Nov 14th – 5th session
  • Dec 12th – 6th session

If you have any questions, please contact Kristin Larsen, A&BC’s Executive Director, at klarsen@artsbiz-chicago.org, and Emmanuel Neal at emmanuel.neal@hotmail.com.

 

Coaches

Emmanuel Neal is a coach, consultant, and creative individual currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Psychology (Consulting) at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

He takes an inquiry-based, facilitative, and experiential approach to coaching, recognizing each client as a whole person and subject matter expert. Emmanuel aims to serve as an accountability partner and accessible resource to help clients grow both personally and professionally. His coaching style is empathetic, patient, direct, and aligns with organizational goals.

Emmanuel holds a Master’s in Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago and is a member of the Society of Consulting Psychologists and the Institute of Coaching through Harvard/McLean Hospital. He volunteers as a consultant with the Arts & Business Council of Chicago and serves on the board of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project.

Dr. Laticia (Tish) Thompson, Ph.D., is a renowned business psychologist, Founder, and Chief of Legacy Blueprint, LLC, a management consulting firm that helps people develop respectful and productive relationships in the workplace. With a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior, Dr. Tish recently completed her Ph.D. in Business Psychology from the Chicago School for Professional Psychology, emphasizing consulting.

Dr. Tish’s ability to bring about sustainable change in organizations and create fun and thought-provoking learning experiences is widely recognized. She has received the title of best-selling author for her personal story titled “I Am Not My Hair,” and her TEDx talk “I Am… Bold, Bald and Beautiful” showcases her expertise in leadership, change, organizational culture, and self-discovery.

Dr. Tish is passionate about working with organizations across various industries that value people as their most valuable asset and strive to build the best possible organizational culture. Her approach to driving change is engaging, empathetic, and insightful.

Dr. Chandra L. McPherson, Ph.D., is the Founder and Principal Business Psychologist of CLM Executive Coaching, LLC, a management consulting firm that specializes in empowering Sales Managers and their teams to effectively manage rejection and stress in the workplace, enabling them to excel in their sales roles. Dr. McPherson is a leading authority in teaching women how to use positive psychology and transformational tools to enhance their happiness, improve communication skills, and eliminate overwhelm and self-sabotage in the workplace.

With over 10 years of experience in sales, starting with Xerox Corporation, Dr. McPherson inspires other women in sales to love their jobs and lives by avoiding burnout. Her areas of expertise include sales, leadership development, transformational thinking, organizational culture, and executive presence. She has shared her knowledge and upcoming book, “The BOUNCE Method, 15-Proven Techniques to Help Professional Women BOUNCE from Misery to Excellence!” as a frequent guest on various podcasts.

Dr. McPherson holds a Ph.D. in Business Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, with an emphasis in Coaching and Consulting. She completed an ICF-Certified Coaching program from The CaPP© Institute to improve her coaching techniques. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s degree in communications from National Louis University. Dr. McPherson finds inspiration in working with family-owned businesses and women in sales to help them develop a refreshed and inspired mindset, empowering them to achieve their goals.

Lawrence James, Ph.D., is a thought leader in the areas of diversity, inclusion, & belonging, executive development, and executive assessment. Showing a powerful mix of inquisitiveness, insight, and drive, he is an innovator known for his willingness to challenge existing paradigms and create new ones. He has developed a holistic, integrated, and systemic model for growing diverse talent which has been detailed in his seminal white paper “Journey to the Top: developing African-American Executives,” as well as numerous blogs.

With his forward-thinking and innovative whole-organization approach to talent development, he has been an invited keynote speaker at a variety of conferences, symposia, and corporate roundtables. Recently, he was selected to be co-editor of a special issue in the Consulting Psychology Journal entitled “The State of Black Leadership: What Can be Done to Create Sustainable Change,” which will go to press in March 2023.

After 12 years as a partner with RHR International, a premier boutique leadership development consultancy, he started his own consultancy focusing on the systemic development of diverse talent from assessment to coaching, inclusive leadership training and development, diversity strategy and advisory services, and organizational transformation. He is an expert in helping corporations develop cultures of belonging, inclusion, and diversity—so that all employees thrive. During his tenure at RHR, he co-created the firm’s diversity, inclusion, and belonging practice area and co-led the service. Internally, he coauthored the design, strategy, and intervention plan for the companies’ own internal journey which led to an over 40% increase in the hiring of diverse talent coupled with improved employee engagement scores firmwide.

Lawrence received his BA in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a master of education in counseling psychology at Howard University, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is a licensed psychologist in the state of Illinois and is a member of several professional organizations.

Q&A

How are you approaching “coaching”?
We agree with The International Coaching Federation’s definition of coaching, which is “coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity, and leadership.”

Does this program also offer consulting?
No. This program encourages group dynamics to solve problems together and provides guidance around common challenges. To that end, this program is not a consulting service; we won’t be reviewing grants, business plans, or any other consultative tasks.

Where are the in-person coaching sessions taking place?
Although not a requirement, we encourage applicants to host group sessions in their buildings or facilities to advance the collaborative component of the program.

How do you define an “arts leader”?
Arts leaders are individuals who serve in nonprofit arts organizations in senior or executive leadership roles. Even though leadership positions vary from organization to organization, arts leaders usually are decision-makers within their organizations and team leads.

I still have questions. Who can I reach out to?
Please contact Kristin Larsen, A&BC’s Executive Director, at klarsen@artsbiz-chicago.org, and Emmanuel Neal at emmanuel.neal@hotmail.com.

May
24
Wed
On BOARD 2023: Understanding Nonprofit Finances and Financial Transparency @ Online
May 24 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

On BOARD: Understanding Nonprofit Finances and Financial Transparency

Financial management is not only about bookkeeping. Board members should be aware of ethical considerations regarding money management and financial decision-making. We will talk about financial oversights and transparency in nonprofits, from policy creation and compliance, and safeguarding of assets, to audits, managing cash flow, tax compliance, and filing with the IRS and other government entities.  

Most importantly, when pay equity and transparency are a must in the sector, we will discuss significant issues around nonprofit finances and transparency. 

Content Expert: Kate Lorenz

Price: $50

Jul
26
Wed
On BOARD 2023: Strategic Planning for Nonprofits @ Online
Jul 26 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

On BOARD® Lab: Envisioning the Future Through Strategic Planning for Nonprofits 

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 organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Strategic planning can be scary. How to plan in a sector where burnout and putting out fires are the norm? However, learning how to scale strategy and planning to your goals, resources, and priorities can be exciting and an excellent opportunity to build team alignment toward a shared purpose.  

We will cover general governance and the role of the board of directors in strategic planning, the advantages of creating and using a strategic plan, how to approach the strategic planning process, and methodologies used for pre-planning and organizational assessments. 

Topics include:

  • General governance and the role of Board of Directors in strategic planning
  • Advantages of creating and using a strategic plan
  • How to approach the strategic planning process
  • Methodologies used for pre-planning and organizational assessments

Price: $ 50

Content Expert: Brandi Head, CEO Head-On Strategies, LLC

About the context expert

Brandi Head (she/her) possesses more than 20 years of business experience and finance acumen, which she employs while coaching small business and nonprofit clients. She has a passion for helping promising entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders achieve their strategic goals and build solid, thriving organizations. That passion prompted her to start Head-On Strategies, LLC which provides consulting, advisory, and implementation services to small businesses and nonprofit organizations, meeting them wherever they are in their business life cycles. Whether her clients are start-ups or at key inflection points, Brandi is positioned to help businesses develop data-driven strategies and solutions that work.

Additionally, she believes that her technical expertise is only one piece of the advisory puzzle; experience, perspective, and meaningful connection withpeople, organizations, and community complete that puzzle. While working in Commercial Banking (inclusive of Commercial Real Estate), Credit Risk, and Operations Management at blue-chip financial services firms, she has helped business clients and local governments secure financing for their various needs.

As a member of several corporate leadership and project teams, she has spearheaded several key initiatives and has been asked to lead outside of her primary roles, including in Financial Policy, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), and Employee Engagement. Her contributions have benefited her previous clients and employers in terms of growth, cost reduction, and branding.

Brandi has also been a member of various project teams that helped nonprofits with finance strategy, marketing plans, and feasibility studies/strategic alignment. Brandi has an MBA from Purdue University, as well as company-sponsored executive education from Kellogg School of Management. She has served on several boards and committees and currently sits on the board of directors for Red Clay Dance Company where she has been responsible for operationalizing its Finance Committee, including charter creation and policy development, and helping to set long-range financial strategy.

Sep
27
Wed
On BOARD: Designing Inclusive Fundraising Practices @ Online
Sep 27 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

At the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, we are creating a world where creativity is universally valued as a resource with limitless potential for social and economic impact. We are an arts service organization focused on serving Chicago’s cultural workers and enterprises through consulting, programming, and mentorship to ensure community vitality and an equitable creative economy. 

One of the ways in which we fulfill our mission is through On BOARD®, the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership learning program. Throughout six sessions, we prepare individuals ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations to understand and own their role as board members successfully.  

On BOARD®: Demystifying Fundraising & Designing Inclusive Fundraising Practices

One of the many responsibilities of Board Members is to leverage their strengths to engage donors and supporters. But asking for money and advocating for the support of an organization is scary – for new and existing Board Members. In this interactive Learning Lab, you’ll get to know where the money comes from and gain practical know-how on how you will be expected to fundraise and activate your networks.  

Participants will learn: 

  • The board’s role in fundraising  
  • The primary uses of funding board members can solicit from their networks 
  • Principles of designing your organization’s strategic fundraising engagement process 
  • Tactics for creating a compelling case for support that board members can use to solicit support and advocate for your organization 
  • How to develop a culture of philanthropy that is intentional and inclusive 

Content Expert: Braden Cleary

Braden Cleary is the Associate Director, Client Development at Arabella Advisors and former Client Engagement Lead at VEGA Partners. He works with clients in a variety of different issue areas and sectors but has a background and interest in arts & cultural management, board governance, and philanthropy. Dedicated to making meaningful contributions to the social impact sector, Braden currently serves on the Excellent Emerging Organizations Committee at North Park University’s Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management and is a former member of the Philanthropic Advisory Group at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Price: $50

Questions about this event? 

Email Constanza Mendoza, A&BC’s Director of Programs, at cmendoza@artsbiz-chicago.org 

Nov
29
Wed
On BOARD: Board Cultivation. Actionable Insights on Board Recruitment, Engagement & Assessment @ Online
Nov 29 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

At the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, we are creating a world where creativity is universally valued as a resource with limitless potential for social and economic impact. We are an arts service organization focused on serving Chicago’s cultural workers and enterprises through consulting, programming, and mentorship to ensure community vitality and an equitable creative economy. 

One of the ways in which we fulfill our mission is through On BOARD®, the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program. Throughout six sessions we prepare individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations to successfully understand and own their role as board members.  

On BOARD®: Board Cultivation. Actionable Insights on Board Recruitment, Engagement, and Assessment 

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 their treasure ‘capacity’? If a board of directors is to reflect the community it serves, the sector must consider more equitable qualifications.   

Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC) Executive Director Kristin Larsen will present her innovative, point-based, planning and assessment model to engage boards of directors. Larsen 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 groups that have been historically marginalized.  

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.  

We encouraged Executive Directors, Artistic Directors (directly interfacing with board of directors), Board Presidents, and Chairs of Board Governance committees to participate in this session.

Learning objectives  

  1. Attendees will understand how to translate their board’s Roles & Responsibilities into supporting the organization’s annual operating and work plans  
  2. Attendees will understand how to use this tool to ease board recruitment practices  
  3. Attendees will gain skills in motivating current board members to contribute to prospecting and communicating within their own networks  
  4. Attendees will understand how to utilize this tool to increase committee participation and motivate self-governance, reducing their stress and time in board management  
  5. Attendees will understand how to use this tool to increase board attendance at special events and fundraisers; also motivate board members to bring new guests to special events and fundraisers  
  6. Attendees will gain knowledge of how this tool can create board equity (socioeconomic, gender, race, access, etc.)  
  7. Attendees will expand the tenure of their board members using this tool as it presents a visible and tangible representation of a board member’s contributions 

 

Content Expert: Kristin Larsen, Executive Director at the Arts & Business Council of Chicago.

Kristin 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, Executive Director of Remy Bumppo Theater Company (2002-2012), and a business representative with Actors’ Equity Association (1995-2000) after many years of being an Equity Stage Manager.

Kristin has her BFA in production management from The Theatre School at DePaul University and her MA in facilitating organizational effectiveness in the arts from DePaul University’s School for New Learning. Kristin serves on the Americans for the Arts Private Sector Council, The Entertainment Fund’s Central Region Advisory Council, and volunteers with DePaul’s Alumni Sharing Knowledge program and the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee.

Price: $50

Session Duration: 90 minutes

 

Jan
1
Mon
To Be Announced
Jan 1 – Dec 31 all-day