Business Volunteers for the Arts® (BVA) connects skilled Chicagoans with arts, cultural, and creative communities in need of assistance. We guide you through our consulting process, match you with projects, and empower you to get things done!

How it Works

Applicants who complete orientation are added to our volunteer corps. There are two ways to volunteer:

• BVA Projects: Our team-based consulting projects consist of groups of 2-5. These projects last between 2-6 months long. Consultants and Art Partners agree on deliverables and an anticipated completion date prior to the project start.
• BVA On-Demand: Our one-on-one consulting allows volunteer consultants to help tackle our Art Partners’ pressing issues, organizational challenges, and burning questions. Volunteers serve as coaches and thought partners to help our Art Partners problem solve and address challenges on a short-term, one-off basis.

At this time, all meetings are being conducted virtually.

Become a Volunteer

Are you ready to be of service, lend your abilities, and champion the city’s creative economy?

BVA welcomes applications from Chicagoans in a variety of vocational fields, including but not limited to: nonprofit and business administration; marketing, media relations, and public relations; strategic and business planning; accounting and finance; leadership and talent development; real estate and asset management; visual and UX/UI design; and human resources.

Volunteer applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. We will contact you to schedule an introductory interview, following application submission.

Upcoming Orientations

Applicants are required to attend a program orientation prior to service. Orientations for volunteers looking to engage in BVA Projects and BVA On-Demand are offered throughout the year and require a one-time participation fee of $125.

BVA Portal

Our consultants receive access to the BVA Portal, an online dashboard of volunteer opportunities, nonprofit management resources, project samples, and more. Please note: This information is confidential and should not be shared with individuals outside the program.

Recent Art Partners Served

Questions?

For more information, contact Kristin Larsen, at klarsen@artsbiz-chicago.org or 312-372-1876, ext. 101