20 February 2014

New mentor program for arts philanthropists

The Australia Council for the Arts and Creative Partnerships Australia have partnered on a new program to build leadership in arts philanthropy.
The Philanthropic Mentoring Program will provide up to 10 mentoring opportunities for Australian philanthropy managers or executives in the not-for-profit arts sector whose key role is to fundraise for their arts organisation. Those selected will be matched with a mentor who will develop their skills to increase revenue through philanthropy. Australia Council Chief Executive Officer Tony Grybowski said he was delighted Creative Partnerships Australia had agreed to jointly support the program. Since 2005 the Council has offered a philanthropic mentoring program, through McCarthy Mentoring, to Major Performing Arts companies to help increase private support of the arts, Mr Grybowski said. Creative Partnership Australias support enables us to extend the program to all arts organisations that employ a philanthropy manager and have an annual operating turnover of more than $2 million. Philanthropy and sponsorship of the arts continues to grow, and our research shows private sector income to our Major Performing Arts companies has increased from $31 million in 2004 to $68 million in 2013, which is about a 120 per cent increase. Creative Partnerships Australia Chief Executive Officer Fiona Menzies said that delivering such programs was important to facilitating private sector investment in the arts. Creative Partnerships Australias core mandate is to facilitate sustainability in the arts and creative sectors, and this new mentoring program will deliver on this by building leadership in arts philanthropy throughout Australia, Ms Menzies said. This is our first program to be delivered with the Australia Council and I look forward to working more closely with them in the future in order to extend the reach of capacity building initiatives across all artforms throughout the nation. This program offers a unique opportunity to work one on one with an experienced executive. The mentors will draw on their experience in business, not-for-profits and as company directors to provide strategic advice and practical insights on business development, partnerships and philanthropy. Mentors will help participants build their confidence, increase their networks, boost their skills and provide the necessary inspiration and motivation to be successful in this field. McCarthy Mentoring will work closely with the participants, their organisations and board to develop key goals for their philanthropic program and ensure their mentor is able to help achieve them. The program is open to organisations in all artforms and runs for 12 months. All applicants must have significant support from their organisation, including confirmation from their executive and chair confirming their commitment to the program. Applications close on 24 March. To apply go to: http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/grants/2014/PhilanthropyMentor-Program

Media contact Karen Smith 02 9215 9030 | 0498 123 541 k.smith@australiacouncil.gov.au

Brooke Daly 03 9616 0311 | 044 990 0466 brooke.daly@creativepartnershipsaustralia.org.au

The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australian Governments arts funding and advisory body