Business Supports the Arts
americans for the arts’ business committee on the arts completed a “survey of business support for the arts” in 2013. it is the only known study of business philanthropy toward the arts that includes small and midsized business giving. The report states, “This is important because smaller businesses continue to be highly focused on philanthropy in their local markets. as such, arts organizations have a natural opportunity to build partnerships with these companies by providing innovative programs that serve broad community audiences. but this year it is the largest businesses that have led the arts giving resurgence with a median gift size that surpasses even the pre-economy downturn year of 2006.” businesses give through not only charitable contributions and sponsorships, but through employee matches, in-kind services, the development of corporate art collections and workplace giving campaigns. The top reason businesses give are, no. 1, it contributes to the economy and the quality of life in the community. sixtytwo percent felt this was the case – good news because arts organizations commonly use this reasoning when approaching businesses for support. Forty-four percent of the leaders surveyed said they believe participating in arts in the community can stimulate creative thinking and problem solving. The next highest reasons to support the arts were because arts events provided valuable networking experiences and encouraged acceptance of diversity. recently, the cultural alliance invited chris bruhl, president and ceo of the business council of Fairfield county, to speak to our executive director’s network. chris used this report to reinforce his strong believe in the value of arts and business partnerships and offered his suggestions on how to build them. The presentation kicked off what will be the cultural alliances year-long series for arts and cultural organizations on “building bridges to business.” To view the full report and to learn more about business and arts partnerships, visit partnershipmovement.org, provided by americans for the arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in america. The business committee for the arts was founded by david rockefeller in 1967 to ensure that arts flourish in america by encouraging, inspiring and stimulating business support for the arts in the workplace in education and in the community.
FCBUZZ
“ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE” AT THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE
What baby boomer does not recall exactly where she (or he) was when the Fab Four first appeared on “The ed sullivan show” 50 years ago Feb. 7, taking the u.s. by storm and forever changing the musical beat in america? at The ridgefield playhouse Friday, Feb. 7, at 8 p.m. – the exact date the beatles landed at what is now JFK airport – more than 20 world-famous beatles tribute musicians will
For more information, visit CulturalAllianceFC.org or email infoCulturalAllianceFC.org or call 256-2329. For events lists, visit FCBuzz.org.
perform the beatles “love” album to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The beatles in america. The “all you need is love” tribute show will be a magical experience for beatles fans and anyone who appreciates the enduring impact of the beatles on popular culture. The tribute musicians will play the love album live, note for note, on all 26 tracks, which include: “helter skelter;” “help!;” “blackbird;” “strawberry Fields Forever;” “octopus’s Garden;” “lady madonna;” “here comes The sun;” “come Together;” “back in The ussr;” “While my Guitar Gently Weeps;” “a day in The life;” “hey Jude;” “all you need is love” and more. an “all shows vip party pass” is available that includes a pre-show cocktail party 6:30-7:15 p.m., with an open bar, hors-d’oeuvre and priority parking. For all tickets, including the vip party pass, call the box office at The ridgefield playhouse, (203) 438-5795 or visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The ridgefield playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center at 80 east ridge in ridgefield.
WOMEN’S LIVES IN AFGHANISTAN AT THE WESTPORT ARTS CENTER THROUGH FEB. 23
Ryan Odinak executive director cultural alliance of Fairfield county
The mission of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is to support cultural organizations, artists and creative businesses by providing promotion, services and advocacy.
Arts & Culture of Fairfield County
lynsey addario uses her camera to speak for the people she photographs. she documents the issues and events on the periphery of war, capturing the emotions as a way to draw in the viewer. addario, who is a Westport native and pulitzer prize-winning photographer, has traveled to war-torn countries such as afghanistan, sudan and libya, to focus her lens on the effects of war. her stunning photographs are featured in “on The Wire: veiled rebellion” this winter at the Westport arts center.
Throughout her numerous visits, addario has trained a close eye through her lens on women’s lives in all areas of afghan society: culture, politics, education, employment and domestic life. “veiled rebellion” was originally published in national Geographic in december 2010. This exquisite exhibition showcases 34 color photographs by addario, depicting the plight of women in Talibancontrolled afghanistan. addario photographs for The new york Times, national Geographic and Time magazine. she was awarded the macarthur Fellowship, also known as the “Genius Grant,” in 2009 and, along with a team from The new york Times, won the pulitzer prize for international reporting for her photographs in “Talibanistan,” in 2008. “i graduated from staples high school in 1991, and since then, my travels and work as a photojournalist have taken me to over 60 countries,” says addario. “it is infinitely gratifying to be able to show this body of work on women in afghanistan at the Westport arts center, after having originally exhibited it at The nobel peace center in oslo.” For more information, visit westportartcenter.org.
Visit FCBuzz.org for more information on events and how to get listed. 18 Week of February 3, 2014 • FairField County Business Journal
Presented by: Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County