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Become a Volunteer Consultant
Are you a business professional with an interest in the arts and a desire to make a difference in the community? Is the vibrant arts and culture scene one of the reasons you live and work in the Philadelphia region? If so, Business Volunteers for the Arts may be the perfect opportunity to develop your professional skills while lending your business expertise to a nonprofit arts organization.
Benefits of volunteering
- Receive training and gain access to resources that will help you succeed as a volunteer consultant.
- Apply and stretch your business knowledge by working in a new environment.
- Develop your management, consulting and problem-solving skills.
- Create a substantial, long-term impact on an arts organization.
- Meet like-minded people who share an interest in the arts.
Is BVA for you?
The ideal BVA candidate has a minimum of 5 years of management experience with expertise in any of the following areas: accounting/financial management, human resources, marketing, public relations, strategic planning, special events planning or other disciplines that can be applied in the arts community. Successful candidates generally have a strong interest in the arts and some prior experience as a volunteer in the community. Candidates should be willing to commit 5 to 10 hours a month on a consulting project; BVA projects typically take 3 to 12 months to complete.
"It is gratifying that the skills I have developed in business are also considered valuable by the arts organization I am working with."
Steven J. Cousart, Professional Sales First Vice President, CB Richard Ellis
Training Date and Location
- The next training session will be held:
Saturday, September 27, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, located at 200 South Broad Street (Broad and Walnut Streets) in Philadelphia. - The training program includes an overview of the region’s cultural landscape, panel discussions with arts managers and active BVA volunteers and opportunities to practice your consulting skills through case studies and role-playing exercises.
How to Apply
- You can apply online. Before you begin, please be sure you have an updated resume available electronically—you will be prompted to upload your resume into the application.
- Once we receive your application, we will contact you to schedule an interview to discuss your interests and skills as they relate to BVA.
- Once accepted into the program, you will participate in a 6-hour BVA Leadership Training session to learn about issues facing nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and to prepare you to be an effective consultant in an arts setting.
- After you've completed the training session, we'll place you with an arts organization with a clearly defined project that aligns with your area of expertise. We'll stay in touch with you throughout the project, offering counsel and resources to help you succeed.
Participant Fee
There is a training fee of $250 per participant. Many companies subsidize this fee, recognizing that having employees involved as BVA volunteers offers both professional development opportunities and a way to enhance the company's presence in the community.
"My BVA experience has expanded my horizons and provided me with an opportunity to give back to the community."
Jean R. Haskell, President, Haskell Associates
Questions?
Please email:Eileen Cunniffe,director of Business Volunteers for the Arts, or call 215.790.3621.