Now in its twelfth year in Ontario, artsVest is Business for the Arts’ national flagship program that works directly with small to mid-sized arts organizations, equipping them with in-depth training, tools and mentorship relationships. These components are thoughtfully created to build sustainable partnerships between arts and businesses and to spark sponsorship opportunities. As an added incentive, artsVest participants can apply for matching grants - for every one dollar raised in sponsorship, Business for the Arts will match it with another dollar - doubling their sponsorship opportunity.
How does artsVest work?
Once an application is successful, Business for the Arts will bring 10 months of sponsorship training and a defined amount of matching incentive funds to the community. The matching funds range from $15,000 to $50,000 for successful communities.
The training begins with a half-day sponsorship workshop in the community, lead by our expert coach. Arts organizations in the community will learn about best practices in sponsorship and how to apply for the remainder of the program.
Once an organization is successful in their application, they will begin intensive training, via:
- Free live sponsorship training workshop
- Individualized mentorship sessions with Canada's top sponsorship experts
- Peer-to-Peer training workshops
- Webinars, marketing and branding tutorials
- Access to our 6-module e-Learning sponsorship course
- A resource bank of sponsorship tools and templates
In addition to training, they will also have a pre-approved matching fund amount. The matching funds are distributed directly to the local arts and heritage organizations participating in the program and are used as incentives for local businesses to sponsor the arts, knowing that their contribution will be doubled. Arts and heritage organizations are each eligible for matching funds up to $5,000. All of these program components ensure that lasting networks and partnerships are formed across the public, private and arts sectors.
For past program results,
click here.
Program Priorities- To use sponsorship training and mentorship to build capacity within local arts organizations that will help them secure private sector investment and develop diverse and sustainable revenue streams;
- To use matching funds as an incentive for new and innovative business sponsorship of the arts;
- To build partnerships between the public, private and arts sectors that focus on the impact and future of private sector support of the arts at a local level
How can artsVest impact your community?
The artsVest program helps spark funding partnerships between the arts and business community, while leveraging the efforts of government leadership to activate their municipal cultural plans. As a result, the whole community is bolstered by the increased investment in the creative economy. Arts organizations increase capacity and acquire the skills and confidence to seek out private funding, while local businesses better appreciate the value of investing in the arts as well as the economic benefit, including new markets, employee engagement, etc. Business for the Arts has a proven track record of demonstrating that if your community is selected to participate, artsVest will have a strong and lasting impact on its cultural economy.
Eligibility for Ontario Communities
- Past artsVest communities which have not participated in artsVest Ontario 2014/15 or 2015/16 program cycles eligible to re-apply for the program.
- A "community" can be a municipality, town, region or county. Should you be unclear on whether your situation would be eligible, contact artsvest@businessforthearts.org
- All communities must provide supporting documentation illustrating local support of the program.
How to Apply
To apply for artsVest Ontario 2016-17, please read this Program Overview carefully and then complete the Application Form below and provide necessary supplementary information. See below for full application checklist. Between 3-5 Ontario communities will be selected to participate for 2016-17. Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Monday, October 31st, 2016 via the below online application. Please email artsVest@businessforthearts.org or contact Claire Hefferon, National Program Director at 416-869-3016 x225 with any questions.
Evaluation Process and Criteria
Applications are juried based on the demonstration of:
- Multi-tiered support from all sectors in the community
- A need for training/development
- A strong and vibrant arts sector
- Support through letters. Letters are specific, thoughtful and reflect obligations outlined in application
- Commitment from a community liaison, showing clear plan on how to engage the community, advocate for and be involved in the program
- Commitment to diversity
Contribution of Your Community Throughout the artsVest Program
artsVest is a partnership between Business for the Arts and participating communities. The support of the arts, public and private sector communities is vital for the success of the artsVest program. Your application to the program means agreement from all sectors to responsibilities and, if selected, an obligation to play an active supporting role during the artsVest process, as outlined in the application.
How will artsVest rollout in your community if selected?
October 31st, 2016: Deadline for Ontario communities to apply for the artsVest program
November 8th: artsVest Ontario communities are announced. Business for the Arts works with community leadership to plan the launch and roll-out of artsVest in the community.
January 2017: The artsVest program is launched in each community with speaking engagements by the Mayor, with municipal, business and arts leaders in attendance. Business for the Arts leads a workshop and information session for local arts organizations, covering the artsVest application process and best practices in sponsorship. Please keep one day during the weeks of January 16th and 23rd free for the full day workshop and launch.
January/February: Arts organizations apply for artsVest matching funds by submitting an online application.
March: Successful applications from arts organizations are announced and a pre-approved amount is reserved for them from the matching funds pot, which they must raise in sponsorship from the local business community. Our Program Co-ordinator is on hand to lend advice and support throughout the year, and all successful applicants will take part in an in-depth online orientation workshop that will prepare them for the year ahead.
March - September: All training components are delivered during this time, including access to resources, and live mentorship and training sessions. Arts organizations have seven months to go into the community to secure business partnerships. They must complete & submit Sponsorship Confirmation Agreements signed by their business partner(s). Upon approval and completion of a program Final Report, a cheque is issued directly to the arts and heritage organization for the matching funds. Mentorship sessions take place during this 6-month period in group, peer, and one-on-one formats, and continue until June 2016.
November: artsVest Wrap Celebrations are planned to engage the community, recognize the new partnerships that have been formed between the business and arts communities and to announce the local results of the artsVest program. Speaking invitations will be extended to the Mayor and municipal leadership, as well as to the BIA and/or Chamber of Commerce and local arts council.
Application Checklist
Each application to artsVest Ontario must include the following supporting documentation to be uploaded:
- A letter of support from the Mayor
- A letter of support from President of Chamber of Commerce OR BIA OR Equivalent
- A letter of support from Director of the Arts Council OR Culture Department OR Equivalent
- A map or description of the boundaries which eligible arts organizations must have an address in to be included in the program
- A comprehensive list of eligible local arts organizations – see below for eligibility criteria:
- Must be an organization with an operating budget of less than $1.5M for the last two years
- Must be located within your community and provide programming, products or services that are accessible to the public
- Must be an incorporated, not-for-profit and/or registered charitable arts organization
- Must be in existence for a minimum of two years and have a publicly accountable structure with an active Board of Directors
- Must be an organization with arts and/or cultural heritage as its primary mandate and core activity, such as a performing or literary arts organization, orchestra or gallery
- Must be a stand-alone organization (cannot fall under the umbrella of a non-arts/heritage organization – i.e. the municipality, Tourism Alliance, etc)
- If the organization has been in existence for two years but has not been incorporated for a minimum of two years, they may apply under the umbrella of a local arts council (a maximum of 3 initiatives can come under the arts council)
- May be an independently operated not-for-profit arts school (music, visual arts, dance, theatre, film or media arts)
Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Monday, October 31st via the below online application.