FAQs
Any questions?
Becoming a Business Council for the Arts (BCA) member offers several strategic advantages for your business, including:
1. Enhanced Corporate Reputation: Supporting the arts demonstrates your company’s commitment to community development, creativity, and culture. This boosts your brand’s public image and strengthens your relationships with stakeholders, customers, and employees who value social responsibility.
2. Employee Engagement and Retention: Arts-related programs foster creativity and innovation in the workplace. By giving your employees access to arts programming and experiences, you can increase morale, inspire collaboration, and enhance problem-solving skills, which contribute to employee satisfaction and retention.
3. Community Impact: The BCA builds bridges between the business and arts communities. By becoming a member, your business can contribute to a vibrant cultural ecosystem, which helps create a dynamic environment that attracts talent and boosts the local economy.
4. Networking Opportunities: Membership connects you with other forward-thinking business leaders who recognize the value of the arts. These connections can lead to strategic partnerships, collaborative projects, and fresh business ideas sparked by exposure to creative industries.
5. Creative Thinking and Innovation: Exposure to the arts inspires unconventional approaches to business challenges. The creative problem-solving skills learned through engagement with the arts can translate into innovative thinking and competitive advantages for your business.
6. Cultural Leadership: Being part of the BCA gives your business a leadership role in advocating for the importance of the arts, culture, and creativity in economic and community development, elevating your company’s influence within your industry and community.
To nominate a business for an Obelisk Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the arts by businesses, individuals, and organizations, follow these steps:
1. Check Eligibility: Ensure the business or individual meets the award criteria. The Obelisk Awards honor companies and people that have made a significant impact on the arts in their community
2. Complete the Nomination Form: Visit the Business Council for the Arts (BCA) website to find the nomination form. It will require detailed information about the business’s contributions to the arts, including specific programs, financial support, volunteer efforts, or other partnerships that have made a meaningful impact.
3. Provide Supporting Materials: Gather relevant materials that support the nomination. These help demonstrate the business’s commitment and the results of their efforts.
4. Submit Before the Deadline: Be mindful of the nomination deadline, as late entries are not typically accepted. Check the BCA website or promotional materials for the exact submission Date.
5. Follow Up: After submitting, keep an eye on communications from the BCA in case they need additional information or clarification regarding the nomination.
The process for applying to the Leadership Arts Institute (LAI) involves several key steps, and the selection committee looks for specific qualities in applicants. Here’s a breakdown:
Application Process:
1. Complete the Application Form:
a. Visit the Business Council for the Arts (BCA) website to find the Leadership Arts Institute application form. It typically asks for personal information, professional background, and reasons for applying.
b. Applicants are often asked to outline their experience in business, arts, or community leadership and describe how the program aligns with their professional and personal goals.
2. Provide a Resume and Headshot:
a. Submit a resume that highlights your professional achievements, leadership roles, and community involvement.
b. Upload a high-resolution headshot
3. Submit Before the Deadline:
a. Ensure your application is complete and submitted by the deadline, which is listed on the BCA website or promotional materials for LAI.
What the Selection Committee Looks For:
1. Commitment to the Arts: The selection committee seeks applicants who have demonstrated a strong interest in the arts, whether through personal involvement, volunteer work, or professional roles. A clear passion for arts advocacy and cultural engagement is key.
2. Leadership Potential: Candidates should have proven leadership experience in their current or past roles. The committee looks for individuals who are ready to step into leadership positions within the arts sector or contribute meaningfully to arts organizations and initiatives.
3. Diverse Professional Backgrounds: LAI is open to professionals from various sectors, including business, law, healthcare, education, and the arts. The committee values diversity in professional expertise, recognizing that a wide range of perspectives enhances the learning experience for all participants.
4. Desire to Integrate Arts with Business through Board Support or Service: The ideal candidate is someone who sees the value of integrating arts and culture with business strategies, community development, leadership and ultimately, board service. The committee looks for those who are forward-thinking and eager to apply arts-based leadership skills in their work environments and on an arts board.
Selection Process:
• After the applications are reviewed, selected candidates will be notified by email.
To participate in On My Own Time (OMOT), a business needs to follow a specific set of requirements and steps. OMOT is an arts competition and exhibition program that allows employees of participating companies to showcase their artistic talents. Here’s what a business needs to do:
Requirements for Participation:
1. Be a Member of the Business Council for the Arts (BCA) and Assign a Company Ambassador The business must be a current member of the BCA. The business must designate a point person (often an HR or corporate culture leader) to manage the program internally and communicate with the Business Council for the Arts (BCA).
2. Internal Art Exhibition:
Each participating business hosts its own in-house art exhibition. Employees are invited to submit their artwork in a variety of categories (e.g., painting, photography, sculpture, etc.). The business must facilitate this process, which can include setting up display areas for the art, handling submissions, and promoting the event internally.
3. Jurying of Work:
The Business Council for the Arts assembles a team of local art professionals to evaluate the artwork and literature. The judging process will determine which pieces advance to the larger North Texas OMOT Exhibition hosted by NorthPark Center (visual) and Dallas College (literary event).
4. Promote Employee Participation:
Encouraging employees to participate is key. The business should promote OMOT within the company through newsletters, email communications, or company-wide announcements. Providing employees with details on submission deadlines, guidelines, and exhibition dates is essential.
5. Register and Pay the Participation Fee:
There is a registration fee required for businesses to participate in OMOT. This fee covers the costs of program materials, support from BCA, and the opportunity for employees’ artwork to be showcased in the broader OMOT exhibition and events.
6. Participate in Recognition Events:
Employees whose artwork is chosen for the regional exhibition or literary night event have the chance to attend a reception hosted by BCA, where winners are announced, and their artwork is displayed alongside that of employees from other participating companies.
Key Benefits of Participation:
• Employee Engagement: OMOT promotes creativity and self-expression within the workplace, giving employees a unique opportunity to share their artistic skills and passions.
• Boosting Corporate Culture: It creates a positive and supportive work environment, helping to foster community and interaction across different departments.• Public Recognition: Participating companies gain visibility and recognition for supporting the arts within their organization, and employees may receive public recognition for their talents.
The Business Council for the Arts (BCA) was founded in 1988. Since its inception, BCA has been fostering partnerships between businesses and the arts in North Texas, promoting arts engagement as a key driver for community development, creativity, and business success.
1. Become a Member: Join as a Business Council for the Arts member. Membership provides financial support for BCA’s initiatives and allows your business to engage in arts advocacy, attend exclusive events, and benefit from programs that connect the arts and business communities.
2. Sponsor Programs or Events: Support BCA by sponsoring one of its many programs or events, such as the Obelisk Awards, Leadership Arts Institute, Art@Work, or On My Own Time. Sponsorships help fund these initiatives, allowing BCA to continue building relationships between businesses and the arts while providing visibility for your company.
3. Participate in Programs:Encourage your business to participate in BCA programs like Leadership Arts Institute, Art@Work, or On My Own Time. Active participation not only supports BCA but also fosters creativity and leadership development within your organization.
4. Nominate a Business or Individual for an Obelisk Award
The Business Council for the Arts (BCA) stands out from other arts organizations because of its unique focus on building partnerships between the business and arts communities. Here’s how BCA is different:
1. Focus on Business-Arts Partnerships: Unlike traditional arts organizations that focus solely on producing or promoting art, BCA works to bridge the gap between businesses and the arts. It helps businesses leverage the arts to foster creativity, innovation, and community engagement. BCA’s mission is centered on how the arts can support business success and community development, rather than just promoting the arts for art’s sake.
2. Leadership Development: BCA offers leadership programs, such as the Leadership Arts Institute, which trains business professionals in arts leadership and board service. This program equips leaders from various industries with the skills and knowledge to support and lead arts organizations, creating a pipeline of business executives who advocate for and guide arts organizations. This emphasis on developing arts-minded leaders is a unique aspect of BCA.
3. Programs for Employee Engagement: Through initiatives like On My Own Time and Art@Work, BCA helps businesses engage their employees in creative expression and art appreciation. These programs are designed to strengthen corporate culture and employee morale by integrating the arts into the workplace—something that most traditional arts organizations do not focus on.
4. Advocacy for Arts in Business: BCA actively advocates for the integration of the arts into business practices and community development. It promotes the idea that art is not only valuable culturally, but also economically and socially. While many arts organizations focus on promoting artists or art exhibitions, BCA is dedicated to demonstrating the economic and innovation benefits the arts bring to businesses and communities. BCA is the North Texas leader and point of contact for the Americans for the Arts, Arts & Economic Prosperity study.
5. Business-Oriented Awards: The Obelisk Awards, hosted by BCA, honor businesses and leaders who have significantly contributed to the arts. This focus on recognizing businesses for their arts involvement differentiates BCA from arts organizations that typically focus on recognizing artists or artistic achievement alone.
6. Economic and Community Impact: BCA positions the arts as a key driver for economic development and community vitality. While other arts organizations may focus on artistic creation, BCA emphasizes the arts as a tool for enhancing the workforce, improving quality of life, and attracting talent to the region.
Julia Crossland, Finance Manager
Jill VanGorden, COO and Head of Programs