LOUISVILLE, KY, JULY 7, 2015 – The Fund for the Arts closed another successful fundraising season, the first under leadership of President & CEO Christen Boone. Led by Tom Partridge, President & CEO Fifth Third Bank Kentucky and with the help of nearly 20,000 donors and corporate partners, the Fund for the Arts raised $8,688,000 for Arts in our region; $8,013,000 for the 2015 Campaign and $675,000 pledged for future campaigns.
“It has been inspiring to see the generosity of our community first-hand,” Tom Partridge said. “A donation to the Fund for the Arts is an investment in our innovative potential, our community and our education. It has been an honor and pleasure to work with Christen Boone, the entire Fund for the Arts Board, staff and volunteers to make this campaign a success.”
Throughout the year, the Fund reimagined critical programming, piloted Arts in non-traditional spaces, engaged students, directed impact and formed new collaborations throughout the community. Overall giving to the Arts in the community increased to the Fund for the Arts and its Cultural Partners by 20% from 2014 to 2015.
“It’s been an outstanding first year with the Fund,“ said Boone. “Art is defined by our donors who help us build a stronger, more vibrant community through the Arts. This has been a great beginning for us and I look forward to many more successful campaigns in the years to come.”
2015 Highlights:
• Delivered general operating support, arts-in-education funding, project support and/or matching funds to 14 Cultural Partners, 141 schools, and 84 Art projects by local organizations;
• 52,000 Arts experiences for students through the Fund for the Arts 5 X 5 program and Teacher Arts Grants, and another 350,000 Arts in Education opportunities through the work of our Cultural Partners;
• Deeper Arts engagement in non-traditional places such as senior care facilities; social service agencies, and community centers;
• Partnering with leading community organizations to leverage the Arts for talent attraction, economic development, cultural tourism and community development.
2016 New Initiatives:
• Expanding Arts in Education initiatives regionally with new programs in New Albany/Floyd, Spencer, and Bullitt Counties;
• Impact Initiative to better measure and track the impact of the Arts and release a “State of the Arts” report;
• Imagine 2025- developing a Master Plan for the Arts for the Region
• Investing in technology with an app to promote the Arts, increase access and engagement
• Deeper Arts engagement with special needs children through the Arts for Kosair Kids® Initiative
About Fund for the Arts
The Fund for the Arts builds a stronger community by investing in world-class Arts organizations, driving collaborative initiatives and fueling innovative arts-in-education programs throughout the region. A national leader in corporate partnerships; business and creative find a unified voice, a more educated workforce, and attract talent through the Arts. The annual Fund for the Arts campaign has generated more than $196 million for the Arts since its establishment in 1949. Nearly 20,000 donors contribute to the campaign each year. For more information visit www.fundforthearts.com.
