What is the role of business people on arts boards? Do they play an essential role, or are there just too many suits? A recent article 'When suits tread the boards' in the Sydney Morning Herald explores the issue (16 April 2008).
Consulting firm McKinsey has released the results of its global survey into corporate philanthropy, and the results make interesting reading. Only about a fifth of respondents say that their philanthropy programs meet their business goals very successfully, while 29 per cent say they are only a little or not at all successful. (29 February 2008)
New business arts partnerships have been announced: resources company Woodside is helping people in remote areas of WA become involved in filmmaking, by sponsoring the Film and Television Institute WA and Screenwest. And in Sydney, the Sofitel Wentworth has become the official corporate partner of the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is no longer driven only by philanthropy and regulations, but by profit, a new study says. More than two in three of the 250 global business executives surveyed in a recent study by the IBM Institute for Business Value say they have adopted socially responsible practices in the hopes of generating revenue. Business leaders say it is critical to build CSR into all their operations (Philanthropy Journal, 19 February). But the language of corporate sustainability is in danger of becoming the new weasel words - cliches that are parrotted while devoid of meaning, writes Stephen McGraill in The Age. It's hard for companies to bring about genuine change, but action is what is needed, not words. (21 February 2008)
President of the National Gallery of Victoria, Allan Myers QC has announced a $6 million donation to the gallery's Asian art acquisition fund. (The Australian, 15 February 2008).
How good are arts boards at governance? A survey conducted by Ruth Rentschler and Jennifer Radbourne of Deakin University found that arts boards are better at governance and strategic thinking than they are given credit for. (The Age, 5 February 2008). But a broader survey of governance in the not-for-profit sector commissioned by Perpetual claimed that many not-for-profit boards are inept, ineffective and second-rate. They interfere with management, fight with CEOs and lack the right skills, says the report. (Pro Bono Australia, December 2007)
Private investment in the arts is up by more than 10 per cent in the UK, according to a new report released by Arts & Business. The total private investment in 2006-7 was £599 million, with almost exactly half coming from individual donations. The biggest increase was in theatre, with museums, festivals and crafts also doing well. (30 January 2008)
In what stands to be Australia's biggest act of philanthropy, property developer turned iron ore magnate Clive Palmer has set up a $100 million foundation to support Aboriginal communities in the Pilbara, as part of a planned $1 billion giveaway. (30 January 2008) Listen to the discussion on Radio National Breakfast by Eve Mahlab, Clive Palmer and Professor Bruce Robinson (1 February 2008). Leon Gettler in The Age describes Clive Palmer's business background and wonders how the foundation will work (2 February 2008).
Museum directors in the USA are participating in a leadership program to upgrade the business knowledge of curators. The Center for Curatorial Leadership is a fellowship program that brings leaders in the museum world together with leaders from other fields to discuss essential business topics like attendance, donations, construction, endowments, media attention, governmental support, budgets and more budgets. (New York Times, 30 January 2008).
Queensland University of Technology Australian Centre for Philanthropy and non-Profit Studies has podcasts available on issues of importance to the not-for-profit sector, such as law, finance, research, policy and much more. (28 January 2008)
The numbers speak for themselves. Adding up box office and sponsorship, The 2008 Sydney Festival is the biggest earner yet, with box office takings of $6.7 million, more than $1 million higher than last year's record figure. Sponsorship was valued at an impressive $7.2 million, writes Matthew Westwood in The Australian. (28 January 2008) Meanwhile the new director of the Perth International Arts Festival, Shelagh Magadza says that next year's festival will be bigger than ever. (The Australian, 7 February)
A new website is providing music fans the opportunity to invest in promising new bands. Slicethepie.com claims to have raised $150,000 already for new unsigned bands. (20 January 2008).
The Art Gallery of South Australia's most generous benefactor, William Bowmore, has died aged 98. A passionate collector, he gave gifts worth over $17 million to the Gallery across the last 15 years. His philanthropy has directly translated in acquisitions of invaluable European and Islamic art. (10 January 2008)
AbaF's WA manager Henry Boston explains why business arts partnerships provide widespread benefits. (26 September 2007)
The economy's booming - so why isn't more business support going to the arts? It's time to do more, argues AbaF's CEO Jane Haley. (10 August 2007)
| Australians' obsession with sport is reminiscent of the former East Germany, according to chief economist of the ANZ Saul Eslake (right). Business should look to the arts for the skills and attitudes required in business, he argued. (31 July 2007). |  |
In this podcast Liz Ann McGregor, Director of Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, and Damien Tampling discuss the parallels that exist in the worlds of art and business. Parallels such as problem solving, motivation, trust, values, leadership, ways to think outside the norm and open one’s mind to new things. (3 August 2007)
The mega rich are getting even richer, but they are following the lead of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett and giving it away. Philanthropy by the mega rich is increasing, according to an article in The Age (4 July 2007)
Need to know about tax for your not-for-profit (pdf)? The Australian Tax Office has updated its guide on Tax Basics for Non-Profit Organisations which explains taxes and concessions that affect Not for Profit organisations. The document is directed at a treasurer, office bearer or employee involved in the administration of a NFP organisation. (2 July 2007)
Almost one in five Australians aged over 15 does voluntary work and women are leading the charge, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data 2006. Pro Bono Australia has the story. (2 July 2007)
Check the language of business and it's mostly about war and sport. Businesses would do better to put their money into the arts, urges AbaF chairman Terry Campbell. (21 June 2007)
Corporate community investment has gone from an ad hoc activity to a key business strategy, according to Corporate Community Investment in Australia, a report published by the Prime Minister's Community Business Partnership. The report assesses the views and practices of over 100 leading Australian companies on why and how they invest in communities. (30 June 2007). In a recent speech, Patrick Cescau of Unilever argued that "corporate responsibility is not only central to business strategy but will increasingly become a critical driver of business growth." (25 May 2007)
Non-profits can be more accountable. One of Australia’s top accounting bodies has put up a plan that will force Australia’s non-profit sector to get its books in order. (31 May 2007)
Charity giving is on the rise in Australia, according to a report released by the Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Philanthropy. Australians in 2005 donated $1.47 billion, up $307.32 million on the previous year - that's an increase of 26 per cent. (7 June 2007)
Corporate social responsibility is gimmickry and hocus pocus, says well- known philanthropist and businessman Harold Mitchell, who recently delivered the 2007 Brookes Oration at Deakin University. The text of the oration is available at the website of MOSS - Models of Success and Sustainability. (2 May 2007)
A is for Assessment. B is for Brand. C is for Culture. British arts leader Sir John Tusa has compiled an ironic ABC of arts terminology. This extract from his book, 'Engaged with the Arts", was published in The Guardian. (21 February 2007)
One of Australia's most well known art dealers, Gene Sherman is bowing out of the commercial art world to set up a not-for-profit foundation, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. (6 February 2007). Meanwhile in the public galleries world, support from private corporations is an important part of the revenue mix, reports The Age, reviewing an exhibition of art from the UBS corporate collection at the National Gallery of Victoria. (5 February 2007)
An anonymous businessman has loaned a $10 million violin to the Australia Chamber Orchestra, to be played by Richard Tognetti. (31 January 2007).
Business is booming, and more business people are turning to philanthropy, as changes to the tax laws make giving it away easier than ever, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. (30 December 2006). Want to set up your own charitable fund or PPF? Get some advice on the right strategy. (The Age, Money section, 20 December 2006).
What is the business contribution to international development? The high-powered International Business Leaders Forum has made a joint commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative to organise a series of Leadership Dialogues. The Role of Business in Society: An Agenda for Action discusses issues like globalisation, and how economic growth impacts on society and the environment.
This paper brings together Niall FitzGerald, former Chairman and CEO of Unilever and Chairman of Reuters, and corporate responsibility executive, Mandy Cormack, who headed up Corporate Responsibility at Unilever. (12 December 2006)
The performing arts rate well in a new study of sponsorship trends. The inaugural Sponsorship Outlook industry study, conducted by the Australasian Sponsorship Marketing Association and S-COMM Australia, has found that corporate sponsors are spending more than expected. On average 20 per cent of total marketing budgets go to sponsorship and 29 per cent of respondents say they are likely to increase their sponsorship spend this year. While sponsorships are dominated by sport, the arts rate well for value for money. Cause-related marketing is seen as a big growth area, creating opportunities for arts organisations which involved in work related to social causes. See a summary of findings at the ASMA website. (25 September 2006)
The Australia Council's Strategic Arts Marketing Summit took place in Brisbane on 13-14 July 2006. Speakers included Brendan Hughes Schwab, Craig Tapper, Mark McCrindle, Tim Roberts, Sean Kidney, Victoria Doidge, Aaron Curran and Dianne Davis. Some of the best presentations are published by Fuel4Arts. (2 August 2006)
You don't have to be rich to be a philanthropist. Ully Merkel of the Anna Wearne trust is a good example of the changing face of philanthropy. (13 July 2006)
The Australian Major Performing Arts Group (AMPAG) handed down its findings on how corporate sponsorship and donations to Australia's 28 major performing arts companies have changed over the last five years. Total sponsorship and donations to AMPAG companies rose 11.7 per cent in 2005, with the companies generating $42.2 million in sponsorship and donation revenue, compared with $37.8 million in 2004 (up $4.4 million). (14 July 2006)
Business needs to get more involved in corporate social responsibility, says a new report handed down by the parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services. The report recommends, as expected, that the government should not step in to regulate CSR, but it does expect companies to engage more actively in considering the social and environmental impacts of their business. That's good news for arts organisations which are seeking corporate support for their activities in the community. Writing in The Age, Katherine Teh-White considers the implications for business. (22 June 2006)
It's official: James Strong, chairman of the Australia Business Arts Foundation, Insurance Australia Group, Woolworths, the Sydney Theatre Company, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, and a director of Opera Australia is the new chair of the Australia Council. On Radio National's The Deep End, Amanda Smith discussed the appointment with Corrie Perkin of The Australian - you can listen to the discussion here. (2 June 2006)
What makes human beings unique? According to playwright Edward Albee it's our ability to make art. His article appeared in the LA Times. (6 June 2006)
Rich Australians are not nearly generous enough, according to IT millionaire Daniel Petre, who told ABC radio "If you look at high net worth individuals, you’d have to say that in Australia they are not philanthropic." According to a report in The Economist philanthropy is flourishing as the number of super-rich people keeps growing. But the new donors, people like Bill Gates and the Google guys, are becoming much more businesslike about the way their money is used. (29 February 2006).
How many Australians work in the arts sector? Heaps, according to a new report published by the OzCo.
Artswork 2: A report on Australians working in the arts shows that approximately 2.9 million people - more than one in five Australians over the age of 15 - were involved in some form of paid or unpaid cultural work in 2004. Almost one million of these had some paid involvement in culture or the arts.
That includes 790,000 visual artists, 556,000 writers, 424,000 performers and 305,000 musicians. (29 March 2006)
What's the good of music education? An address by Dr Richard Letts, executive director of the Music Council of Australia, was an eloquent statement of the educational and social benefits that follow when young people are trained in the arts generally, and music in particular. "It seems to be difficult to persuade education authorities that music is more than a frill or a thrill - an entertaining add-on," he says, before providing some impressive evidence in support of his case. The talk is published on Arts Hub. (6 March 2006).
What's the value of the arts? Managing Director of London's Barbican Centre and author John Tusa argues in a recent article, Art Matters: "Yes, the arts do stimulate the growth of a creative sector in the economy ... Yet, true as this is, it seems to me to miss the point. The value of the arts is not to be defined as if they were just another economic lever to be pulled. That ... puts us back in the bind of instrumentality." (13 December 2005). John Carey takes issue with Tusa and conventional views of the value of the arts in his recently published polemic What Good are the Arts? reviewed by John Armstrong in The Age.
Private investment in the arts. £452m of private money has caused a 'sea change' in the arts, says Guardian Unlimited (7 December 2005). The arts in Britain are relying more than ever before on money from the private sector. A report released by AbaF's British counterpart, Arts & Business reveals that private support for the arts has leapt from £393m to £452m in the last two years. While we do not have exactly comparable figures for Australia, the most comprehensive research on philanthropy in this country has found that Australians and businesses are giving and volunteering more than ever before, contributing more than $11 billion in 2004. See Giving Australia: Research on Philanthropy in Australia (pdf) (10 October 2005).