€9million in new income to the arts sector over 4 years of Business to Arts’ New Stream Programme
April 2nd, 2014
Stuart McLaughlin (Front Row Left) with Brett Egan and Michael Kaiser of The DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the Kennedy Center and participants in the DeVos Ireland Programme
Business to Arts today published the 4th annual evaluation of New Stream, its programme that builds fundraising and management capacity in the arts and cultural sector in Ireland.
New Stream, which began in Autumn 2009, was created by Business to Arts in response to the mounting pressure on public funding to the arts, and supported by Bank of America Merrill Lynch and the wider business membership. The programme delivers fundraising skills, resources and knowledge to organisations and individuals working in the arts.
The evaluation identifies that organisations taking part in the training have raised over €9 million in new income over four years, through applying the techniques acquired on the programme. This €9 million of funds raised represent a return of €16 for every €1 invested by Bank of America Merrill Lynch through the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Further support is also received from the Department of Arts Heritage & Gaeltacht, The Ireland Funds and investment made by participants in New Stream.
New Stream includes elements delivered by the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the Kennedy Center in DC; For Impact Fundraising Training; Brown Bag Briefings; the Development Managers’ Forum; and the New Stream Knowledge Centre online resource.
There were 313 participants in New Stream events in 2013, a 77% increase on 2012, and the skill-level benchmarked by fundraisers in the sector continues to be raised.
Each year, UCD’s Department of Cultural Policy and Arts Management provides a series of external observations on how to enhance the programme.
Business to Arts works to support sustainability in the cultural sector through partnership and professional development. The organisation is funded by support from the business community, foundations, arts organisations and the public sector, all of whom share a belief that collaboration between stakeholders can help enhance creativity and deliver a benefit to society.
