About the Program | Current Projects | Volunteers |
Request for Assistance | Becoming a Volunteer

Expand Your Network!  Work with Great People!  Volunteer for the Arts!
The Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island is looking for the best and the brightest business executives with a passion for arts and culture and an interest in making a difference to join Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA) consultancy program.

The BVA program offers professionals the opportunity to use their skills to make a significant impact on an arts organization while broadening personal and professional horizons. It challenges individuals to apply their expertise in new ways and introduces participants to new people and experiences. BVA consultants also expand their professional contacts through social and networking events sponsored by A&BC/RI.

Each year, A&BC/RI trains a select group of business professionals to serve as volunteer management consultants. The BVA training program is designed to educate volunteers in the basic components of nonprofit arts management and in the art of effective consulting. Once trained, BVA consultants work directly with a nonprofit arts organization on a short-term or long-term project that matches their skills and interests with the organization's needs.

Volunteers devote a minimum of one year of service to the BVA program. Most choose to give an average of three years because they find it such a rewarding experience. In 2002 alone, the BVA program provided 3800 hours of consultants' time, valued at over $627,000, to 40 Rhode Island arts organizations.

Current volunteers cite many reasons for getting, and staying, involved: the challenge of applying their business skills in new and interesting ways; the opportunity to develop and strengthen their leadership and interpersonal skills; the competitive advantage they have over others in the workplace; and the reward in knowing they've made a difference in the management and vitality of a Rhode Island arts/cultural group by sharing their talents and expertise.

Candidates should have three years of upper/middle management experience. Expertise is being sought in the areas of:

• Marketing & public relations
• Computers & technology
• Strategic planning
• Fundraising & development
• Accounting/financial management
• Website & graphic design
• Legal (especially nonprofit issues)
• Organizational development
• Economic research/feasibility studies

Volunteers must participate in a training session.

Training
One of the things that sets the BVA Consultancy Match Program apart from other volunteer service programs is our required training for new volunteers. The BVA training program is designed to educate volunteers in the basic components of nonprofit arts management and in the art of effective consulting. While you already possess specific skills, the training prepares you to use these skills effectively within non-profit arts organizations. We train you how to be a consultant in the non-profit arts environment by walking you through likely scenarios you could face.

During the training you will review the basics of being part of the BVA program, explore the match process through examples of other BVA experiences and learn more about the specific needs and management differences of non-profit arts organizations. 

Our training sessions are held periodically. There is a $30 training materials/membership fee to join BVA.  If you are interested in becoming a BVA contact  Linda Peterson or Peter Bramante 401-621-6127 or by email at prgmmgr@artsandbusinessri.org for more information.

Click here for the volunteer application and for more information on training.

If you are interested in expanding your professional horizons, working with inspiring and passionate people, and opening yourself up to new networking opportunities through consulting with arts and cultural non-profit organizations, please call 401.621.6127 or email tonya@artsandbusinessri.org .