press release archive

10/30/2008

Contact:
Beth Garcia
Goodman Media for Americans for the Arts
212.576.2700 ext. 242 or bgarcia@goodmanmedia.com

Americans for the Arts and Business Committee for the Arts Merge Operations

Washington, DC — October 30, 2008 — Americans for the Arts and Business Committee for the Arts (BCA) announced today that BCA will merge its operations with Americans for the Arts, creating the largest-ever advocacy group for the arts in the private sector. The partnership will further enable the organization to generate increased private-sector support for the arts and arts education by engaging and educating business leaders nationwide on the economic impact and value of the arts in business and community settings.

"The vision of Business Committee for the Arts naturally aligns with the long-term goals of Americans for the Arts," stated Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. "The private sector's relationship with the arts has shifted dramatically in recent years. Despite recent modest gains in overall giving, the market-share of private funding for the arts is nearly one-third less than it was in the early 1990s. By combining our interests and strengths, we will be able to effectively address the challenges ahead."

"Corporations are a critical piece of the arts funding equation in the United States. BCA is committed to continue to provide the very best services and programs to businesses that will advance the arts in their communities. Americans for the Arts is an ideal partner for us to achieve our goals," said BCA Executive Board Chair J. Barry Griswell, chairman of The Principal Financial Group.

With the approval of each organization's board, Americans for the Arts and BCA have entered into a merger agreement, as the transaction requires approval of the New York Attorney General and the New York Supreme Court. Both groups are working with the state authorities and expect the transaction to close in the next six to nine months.

Private-sector support for the arts from individuals, foundations, and corporations represents a critical piece of arts funding in America. In these uncertain economic times, it is important now more than ever to invest in the arts. It's an investment that improves quality of life for all, advances a company's visibility and brand, improves employee morale, and provides economic benefits to the entire community. And in the new global economic landscape, real value and competitive advantage will be created by workers who drive creativity and innovation. These workers are fueled by the arts in their lives, and in their education as young people.

In 2005, Americans for the Arts merged operations with Arts & Business Council Inc. to create a private-sector affairs department that combined the strong national and local efforts being done to advance business support for the arts. Partnering the existing Americans for the Arts constituencies with the Business Committee for the Arts affiliates and national programs will create an even stronger and direct link to business leaders and increase business support of the arts throughout the U.S. Among these stakeholders are some 5,000 local arts agencies and United Arts Funds, Arts & Business Councils, and twelve BCA affiliates that together will have improved tools for reaching business leaders.

BCA will become a programmatic division of Americans for the Arts and will continue to build the array of services and events targeted at developing and increasing business support for the arts including The BCA TEN and BCA Forum Series, Robert Lynch will remain president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, overseeing operations and combining of some programming initiatives. The Business Committee for the Arts board of directors will continue to exist and function as a BCA Executive Board providing direct input to the programs and services developed to reach the business sector.

For more information, visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org/BCA.

The Business Committee for the Arts, Inc. (BCA) was founded in 1967 by David Rockefeller to bring business and the arts together. Since then, business support to the arts has grown from $22 million in 1967 to $3.16 billion in 2006. BCA's mission is to ensure that the arts flourish in America by encouraging, inspiring and stimulating business to support the arts in the workplace, in education and in the community.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of 48 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

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