Chesapeake Arts Center Selected as a Grantee of Bloomberg Philanthropies' Arts Innovation and Management Program

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Brooklyn Park – September, 5, 2018 – Chesapeake Arts Center today announced that it is a grantee recipient of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Arts Innovation and Management (AIM) program. The invitation-only program seeks to strengthen the organizational capacity and programming of small and mid-size cultural organizations within Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Denver, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. Through the $43 million multi-year initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies will provide unrestricted general operating support as well as arts management training in areas that include fundraising, strategic planning, marketing and broad development.

“As a past participant of the Capacity Building: Baltimore 2015-2017 program, CAC could not be more thrilled to have been chosen to participate in the Arts Innovation and Management program. It is the largest operating grant we have received thus far. Consulting with like-minded professionals to develop key strategies in the areas of marketing, fundraising and revenue generation is exactly what we need at this time which will usher CAC into our 20 year anniversary” said Belinda Fraley Huesman, Chesapeake Arts Center’s Executive Director.

AIM targets arts non-profit because of the vital role they play in building communities, driving local economies and supporting artists. “The arts inspire people, provide jobs, and strengthen communities,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “This program is aimed at helping some of the country’s most exciting cultural organizations reach new audiences and expand their impact.”

Bloomsberg Philanthropies will develop curricula and conduct seminars for the program in partnership with leading experts, including the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland, led by Institute Chairman Michael M. Kaiser and President Brett Egan. AIM organizations will engage in activities that strengthen their long-term health and goals, and will receive one-on-one consultations and implementation support for organization leaders and their boards.

All organizations invited to participate in the 2018 expansion of the AIM program are nonprofits that have been in existence for at least two years. Participating organizations will be required to secure 20% of their AIM grant in matching dollars; reach 100% board participation in fundraising; and maintain up-to-date information in DataArts, an online management tool that assists arts organizations across the country in collecting, learning from, and using data effectively. The grants will be unrestricted to allow recipients to utilize the funds to address their greatest needs.

Since 2011, AIM has helped more than 500 small and mid-sized organizations in all creative disciplines, including theater, visual arts, music, film, literature and dance. Participating organizations reported significant improvements in board development, fundraising and overall income over the two-year program. Watch this video for an overview of the Arts Innovation and Management program:


About Chesapeake Arts Center:

The Chesapeake Arts Center (CAC) is a vibrant community arts center that has nearly 70,000 visits annually through shows, art classes and community events. The CAC’s diverse programming appeals to a variety of audiences and includes performances that educate and engage dialogue about social issues. CAC offers affordable and free arts programs to people of all ages and income levels, and it very proud to provide arts education classes and workshops for at-risk youth in the greater Brooklyn Park region. Our facility houses a 752-seat Hammonds Lane Theatre, a 120-seat Studio 194 Theatre, Hal Gomer Gallery, ceramics lab, dance studios, music room, MakerSpace and classrooms. For more information about the Chesapeake Arts Center visit www.Chesapeakearts.org or call us at P: 410-636-6597.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies:

Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 480 cities in more than 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2017, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $702 million. For more information, please visit www.bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter.

CAC NewsAshley Lines