2007 was a busy year for NW/BCA.  After celebrating the organization’s 20th anniversary in 2006, we immediately got to work, building on our record of success with confidence, new energy and increased momentum.   We provided our annual series of programs, including The Art of Leadership, and our Behind-the-Scenes receptions.  At our Spring Arts Breakfast of Champions, we honored innovative partnerships between businesses and arts organizations to bring vital arts education services back into the schools.  At our fall celebration we recognized the 2007 Top Business Donors to the Arts.  Last spring we also offered additional workshops including Art of Leadership 201, to provide high-level development and fundraising training for graduates now serving on arts board, and Think Small for Big Results, designed to help arts organizations cultivate profitable, mutually beneficial relationships with small and midsize businesses.  Thank you to The Commerce Bank of Oregon and Union Bank of California for sponsoring these workshops, and thank you again to our sponsors (who are listed on our website) for all our events throughout the year.

NW/BCA was also busy on the advocacy and research fronts.  We helped the Oregon Cultural Trust once again raise a record amount of contributions and worked with the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) to exponentially expand the Work for Art employee-giving program.  And, working with the Cultural Advocacy Coalition and thanks to many of our members calling, writing letters, and lobbying in Salem to leverage their voice in support of increased state funding, we helped pass CHAMP, a substantial re-investment package for the Oregon Arts Commission and other cultural and heritage partners, including Oregon Public Broadcasting and the Oregon Historical Society.  NW/BCA and RACC also collaborated on the MetLife Forums on innovation and creativity in the workplace and Arts and Economic Prosperity III, a study that revealed that nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties compose a $318 million industry.

While accomplishing all of this, NW/BCA was also internally evaluating and analyzing ourselves through a nine-month strategic planning process.  With an extraordinary team of board members, we engaged in community interviews, conducted a member’s survey, re-examined our programs, re-defined our messaging, and came out of the experience with an impressive toolkit NW/BCA can use throughout the next years.  We also clarified our mission and vision statements.  We must take this opportunity to individually thank the members of our planning team:  Michelle Moorehead (Nike) masterfully led the process through intensive meetings and enlightening conversations and tasks, building consensus each step of the way.  Carole Morse (PGE) provided insight and leadership as our outgoing chair, and Max Miller (Tonkon Torp) bravely took on a new and expanded role in the process and for our organization as our current chair.  Sandy Mico (West Coast Trust) kept her focus on our members and made sure our new strategies helped meet our business members’ bottom line. Darin Vick (SMS Software Solutions) and Paul King (White Bird) helped generate exciting ideas and initiatives to help us serve our members and get to know them even better.  John Baker (Jordan Schrader Ramis PC) added keen obeservations regarding the future of our programs.  Lani Hayward (Umpqua Bank) infused her marketing expertise to help develop the messaging tools that come out of the process.  And last but not least, Kira Higgs made NW/BCA’s planning her full-time job, lending the process countless hours and endless wisdom.  Thank you again to everyone who serves on our Board of Directors and our Leadership Council for becoming more engaged and informed and for your ongoing support!

In our changing economy, NW/BCA is proving more vital as a central link between arts and business, and in 2008 we’re poised to serve our community and carry out the building blocks of our plan.  Our new and current initiatives will help build audiences, encourage volunteerism, strengthen board capacity, recognize and stimulate community leadership and create arts advocates for this generation and in the future.  Thank you to all our members who have joined to help us strengthen Oregon’s culture and economy.

To download a pdf summary of our year in review, click here.