For Immediate Distribution
June 19, 2020
Business and Arts NL is excited to announce that 25 arts organizations will transform their fundraising practices over the next 18 months through ArtSupport NL.
At a time when artists and arts organizations are reimagining their work, their business models, and their communications, this opportunity to lean on professional support to reach new donors is invaluable.
The first phase of this project concluded in March, 2020 and saw 10 of our province’s largest arts organizations receive professional fundraising training and coaching over the course of two years, resulting in a collective increase of 55 per cent in fundraising revenues. 15 additional organizations have joined the program, as of June 1. These organizations will receive training and work one-on-one with fundraising professionals to build efficient, impactful fund development practices between now and December 2021.
The arts sector has been and will continue to be severely affected by social distancing as a result of COVID-19. Performing arts organizations are redeveloping programming and planning to account for the possibility that audiences may not fill concert halls and theatres again until a vaccine is widely available. Through all of this, individuals and businesses in our community see these dangers and are looking for ways to reach out and support culture. This program will help organizations create opportunities to welcome and foster this support.
Canadian Heritage, through the Strategic Initiatives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, is investing $189,307 over two years for the project.
“Our government is proud to stand with organizations like Business and Arts NL in the province throughout this difficult time. We are pleased to support this project that targets the needs of organizations with limited capacity, staffed by part-time employees or seasonal workers, particularly in rural and remote areas. Through the Strategic Initiatives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, Canadian Heritage continues to support small to medium-sized arts organizations that dedicate time and energy to procuring sponsorships and building sustainable partnerships with the business community, especially during these uncertain and unprecedented times.”
—The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through TCII’s Regional Development Fund, is investing $69,006 in this project.
“This is a great program that offers new ideas and creative approaches to help organizations improve their fundraising practices and diversify their revenue. Building on the success of phase one of ArtsSupport NL, our government is pleased to support phase two, which will assist smaller ventures in assessing their organizational strengths and fundraising practices, while setting measurable goals.”
- Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“The COVID pandemic is going to shake our financial stability across the world for a long time to come. However, we have already seen in the last crazy months that people and businesses across Newfoundland and Labrador are reacting by looking for ways to share, help and give. This program is going to help arts organizations access that generosity, build resilient organizations, and continue to feed the rich cultural life of our province.”
Amy Henderson, Executive Director, Business and Arts NL
For more information, please contact Amy Henderson, Executive Director (709) 745 1611 ahenderson@businessandartsnl.com
