Deals and Ideals For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Arts Connections

1999, 36 pages. A report on meetings of The American Assembly on November 13, 1998 at The Getty Center, California and on April 8-9, 1999 at Arden House, New York.

A realignment of relationships between profit and not-for-profit sectors is being widely discussed in philanthropy due to changes in business and in the shape and behavior of the economy. In November 1998, at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the American Assembly (Columbia University) brought this discussion to the arts field, convening thirty-two representatives of for-profit and not-for-profit arts organizations along with representatives of high technology industries, higher education, service organizations, and foundations. Subsequently, in April 1999, thirty-four leaders from the same sectors met in Harriman, New York. Deals and Ideals asserts: "If the potential of the arts to achieve public purposes is to be fully realized, more extensive, ongoing cooperation and collaboration between the not-for-profit and for-profit arts are inevitable." The booklet outlines recommendations that emerged from these meetings, challenges that were identified, and arenas in which further or new forms of collaboration and cooperation between the two sectors may be timely and fruitful.

Review by Frances Phillips, Walter and Elise Haas Fund.