Inspire Your Creativity

Passion. Drive. Creativity. These words come to mind when thinking about an artist. Artists need passion to drive their ability and creativity to continue to be successful in their specific craft. These words can also describe entrepreneurs who aspire to use their creativity and drive to build a business that they are passionate about.

While the arts and business worlds may seem far apart, the truth is that each sector can offer the other invaluable tools to succeed.

In fact many entrepreneurs find the Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA) program of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia to be a good investment that helps various areas of their business.

From networking to generating goodwill, BVA aims to enhance the skill sets of volunteers while also bettering the arts community. Business leaders are constantly looking for new ways to increase their network and build their marketing strategy. By participating in BVA training and other Council sponsored events, entrepreneurs can meet like-minded business people, which can inspire new ideas and thinking to help meet business goals.

The BVA training program, sponsored by Ernst & Young, prepares business leaders to be volunteer management consultants with all types of arts organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region. Volunteers may find themselves assisting a performance group, a theater group, or even helping a community art center or local museum with business planning, finance issues, marketing and more. No matter the focus of the consulting project, BVA guarantees that the experience will be engaging and rewarding.

The Council, a Chamber affiliate, is currently accepting applications for the next BVA training class which will be held on October 2, 2010 at the Arts & Business Council offices in Center City Philadelphia. Classes fill up fast so make sure to sign up as soon as possible!

Register now. The program requires a small, one time enrollment fee of $250 which covers a full day of the leadership training and offsets a portion of program costs. To find out more contact BVA program director Eileen Cunniffe at ecunniffe@artsandbusinessphila.org or 215-790-3621.

A stronger relationship between the arts and business sectors can only strengthen the economy, and your business, so let BVA inspire your creativity.

The Arts & Business Council gratefully acknowledges Ernst & Young for its generous sponsorship of BVA and the participation of many Ernst & Young employees as BVA volunteers.