The BCA 10 Honoring Exceptional Businesses
Americans for the Arts recently announced the companies selected as The BCA 10: Best Companies Supporting the Arts in America for 2012. The 2012 honorees are: Alltech, Inc., Bank of America, Chaves Consulting, Inc., Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Earl Swensson Associates, Inc., First Community Bank, Golden Artist Colors, Inc., Jackson and Company, Masco Corporation, and Tampa Bay Times. The Boeing Company will be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame, which honors companies that demonstrate exceptional long-term support of the arts. To find more information about this year’s BCA 10 honorees, visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org. Take Note Pro Bono Pays Off
“Doing pro bono work isn’t just good for your company—it’s good for the people who work at your company.” In an article featured on Bloomberg Business Week, CEO of Hill Holliday Mike Sheehan discusses the benefits of businesses committing to pro bono work. Employees have the opportunity for professional development, growth in company pride, and personal satisfaction. For more insight from ad executive Mike Sheehan, visit www.businessweek.com. M.F.A.s Instead of M.B.A.s?
Many artists start their careers or support themselves by taking “day jobs.” Andy Warhol worked in advertising. Modest Mussorgsky was a civil servant. Franz Kafka investigated personal injury cases for an insurance company. But is an artist in the office one of life’s small cruelties? Not necessarily. Some are suggesting that businesses looking to become innovators might want to consider hiring artists over those with more traditional business degrees. To read the full story, visit ARTSblog. pARTnerships for Pre-K
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. announced a $1 million initiative in grants to eight organizations and other funding in Eastern Carolina. The grants in Raleigh will introduce Grow Up Great, PNC's signature $350 million, multiyear bilingual initiative to improve early childhood education. PNC's initiative brings together Carolina Ballet, the North Carolina Museum of Art, and Wake County Public Schools to create an innovative arts collaborative for the region's youngest students. For more information, visit www.prnewswire.com. Bravo for Beneficial Partnerships!
HM Electronics, Inc. donated a state-of-the-art wireless system to the Globe in San Diego to better manage communications between crew members, performers, and their audiences. The Old Globe sits amidst San Diego’s chaotic radio frequency zone, whose signals interfered with the performers’ high-tech wireless mics and the crew’s walkie-talkies. Through this partnership, both the arts and business were able to benefit: HME was able to test their newest inventions in a real-time setting in a professional theater and the Old Globe gets to use the latest equipment for free. To read more about this partnership and other success stories, visit www.pARTnershipmovement.org. 
| As a way to celebrate successful partnerships, Bill, the Shakespeare of Litigation made an appearance in the Central Penn Business Journal through the work of The Cultural Enrichment Fund in Harrisburg, PA. Want to learn how to place ads in your own community? Check out our tool kit for information. | WEBINAR: Building Relationships with Business: Volunteering for the Arts
July 18 at 3:00 PM EDT
Volunteers are a critical component for any arts organization—from ushers to professionals offering pro-bono consulting and board service. They are also an excellent point of entry for establishing a relationship with businesses. Hear from business volunteers about why they choose to volunteer for the arts and how it has helped them grow in their business careers. Also get tips from Business Volunteers for the Arts program managers about successfully managing the volunteer process. To register, visit http://eo2.commpartners.com. Remember to look for more upcoming webinars. And don't forget, you can always use the archives as a helpful resource. Facts & Figures The Arts Mean Business: AEP IV
According to Arts & Economic Prosperity IV (AEP IV), the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $135.2 billion of economic activity, which breaks down to $61.1 billion in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations, plus an additional $74.1 billion in event related spending. In addition to stimulating the economy, the arts and culture industry also supports 4.1 million jobs and generates $22.3 billion in government revenue. By focusing on the quantitative economic impact of the arts, Arts & Economic Prosperity IV illuminates the connection between the arts and the economy and validates the arts as a resilient industry with cultural and economic benefits. For more information, www.AmericansForTheArts.org. Working in a Connected Culture: IBM CEO Study Results
A new IBM study of more than 1,700 chief executive officers from 64 countries and 18 industries worldwide reveals that CEOs regard interpersonal skills of collaboration (75 percent), communication (67 percent), creativity (61 percent), and flexibility (61 percent) as key drivers of employee success to operate in a more complex, interconnected environment. The study also reveals that external partnering is now at an all-time high. In 2008, slightly more than half of the CEOs IBM interviewed planned to partner extensively. Now, more than two-thirds intend to do so. For more information, www.ibm.com. If you are interested in partnering with an arts organization to help your employees increase their interpersonal skills and flex their creative muscles, please visit the www.pARTnershipmovement.org. Speaking From Experience
"Arts programs are essential to our communities. We make it a priority to support these programs with volunteer time, board participation, and financial contributions." —Walt Smith, Managing Partner, Baker Botts L.L.P. and a 2011 BCA 10 Winner 
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