Press Release 4.23.03

ARTS COUNCIL SILICON VALLEY

SETS RECORD FOR WORKPLACE GIVING PROGRAM

San Jose, CA., April 23, 2003  –Arts Council Silicon Valley today announced that ArtsChoice™, the Council’s annual workplace-giving program, has exceeded its campaign goal and raised $102,000 to support local arts organizations.  This is the first time the program has topped $100K in its 12-year history.

“This is a milestone for the Arts Council and for this program,” said Arts Council Executive Director Bruce W. Davis. “We’re extremely pleased at the level of participation from local employees, particularly during this economic downturn. When people vote with their paycheck, it’s a concrete demonstration of the role the arts play in people’s lives and its importance in the community,” he added.

Coordinated on behalf of more than 130 local arts organizations, this innovative program is one of only two arts workplace-giving programs in the state. Arts philanthropy in general, and in the workplace, is more common in the Midwest and the East.

The campaign is conducted at 18 sites throughout Santa Clara County, including companies, municipalities and universities, such as Applied Materials, Stanford University, and the Office of

Santa Clara County — where giving was up a phenomenal 59%. Results were also higher at other sites across the Valley including the City of San Jose, Sunnyvale and VTA. ArtsChoice is

often conducted simultaneously with overall workplace-giving campaigns, which include other federations and social service agencies.

The proceeds received from ArtsChoice are particularly meaningful for the smaller arts groups that may not have the resources to run their own campaigns or even to have dedicated fundraising staff.  The campaign also provides Silicon Valley companies and their employees with an additional philanthropic option for contributing to a cause that directly impacts their personal lives and the communities in which they work and live.

“We pride ourselves on running an efficient campaign and ensuring that more than 90% of the revenue goes directly to the arts groups for general operating support,” said Lisa Cole, the Arts Council’s Director of Development.  “Ultimately, this program is paramount to our mission–supporting the creative spirit.  We’re delighted that local employees value and want to invest in that creative spirit.”

Incorporated in 1983, Arts Council Silicon Valley is celebrating its 20th anniversary as an independent regional arts support and planning agency, dedicated to supporting the arts and culture in our community by providing funding, advocacy and services to the region’s arts organizations and artists.  As the official state/local partner with the California Arts Council and the County of Santa Clara, Arts Council Silicon Valley is now the second largest nonprofit arts council in the state. Over the past ten years, the Arts Council has distributed nearly $6 million to local arts and cultural organizations, individual artists, schools and community groups.
 

For more information about ArtsChoice, click here: http://www.artscouncil.org/grants/programs/workplace.asp