Philanthropic Mentoring Program
24 February 2014 at 3:24 pm
The Australia Council for the Arts and Creative Partnerships Australia have partnered in a mentoring program to build leadership in arts philanthropy.
The program is offering up to 10 mentoring opportunities for Australian philanthropy managers or executives who have key roles in philanthropic development.
Organisers say the aim of the mentorships is to support executives and/or development managers in the Not for Profit sector to develop skills and increase revenue via philanthropy.
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 (CPA) 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,” Grybowski said.
“Creative Partnership Australia’s 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,” he said.
CPA CEO Fiona Menzies said that delivering such programs was important to facilitating private sector investment in the arts.
“Creative Partnerships Australia’s 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,” 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.”
The Minister for the Arts and Attorney General George Brandis says the Australia Council and CPA have committed $100,000 each to the program which will provide funding to connect 10 arts development staff with executives in the business sector.
“Private sector support provides an essential supplement to the Government’s funding for the arts and accounts for approximately 10 per cent of all arts funding,” Brandis said. “I believe there is capacity to increase private sector support and with initiatives like this mentoring program we will build more support while developing skills across the arts sector.
“Programs designed to tap into experienced business people through mentoring and skills-sharing will make a significant difference to the long-term ability of Australia’s arts sector to build its base of donors, sponsors and volunteers.”
The Australia Council says 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,” the Council said.
“McCarthy Mentoring will work closely with the participants, their organisations and boards 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. More information, including eligibility criteria and application forms can be obtained here.
Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss their application. For information and questions relating to this opportunity, please contact: Ricardo Peach, Program Manager, Capacity Development, Arts Organisations (02) 9215 9072 or Toll free 1800 226 912 Email r.peach@australiacouncil.gov.au
