Leverage Your Creativity
by Lora Iannarelli, 1 Feb 2009

Lora Iannarelli is the Executive Coordinator at the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia – responsible for office and staff management along with financial processing and development support. Prior to her work with the Council, Ms. Iannarelli has seven years of professional theatre administration experience. With a long-standing passion for the arts, Ms Iannarelli is happy that her work strengthens the partnership between business and the arts in the Greater Philadelphia Region.

She can be reached at liannarelli@artsandbusinessphila.org

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Consider volunteering to sharpen your skills during these challenging economic times. Yes, there is a great demand for skills-based volunteering in the Greater Philadelphia Region – and whether you've been looking for a way to get involved or are just starting to consider it – the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia is the perfect place to get started.

Volunteer: Giving and Getting Back Too

Volunteering is generally synonymous with giving back – and it's true that time spent volunteering always helps others. What many people don't consider are the personal and professional benefits that come from a volunteer engagement. Imagine that you get to use your creativity to do something that you love, or even practice something that is out of your routine that helps arts and culture thrive in your neighborhood. Not to mention the chance to network with other, like-minded individuals that have skills you can learn from and connections to share.

Whether helping a small theatre build its marketing plan or redesigning the website of an emerging dance company, Arts & Business Council volunteers use their creativity and skills to complete projects while shoring up their resumes with unique professional development experiences. It's such a great opportunity that volunteers often take on countless projects over many years.

When a volunteer with one of the Council programs, Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA), recently commented about volunteering he said, "My BVA experience has been a major contributor to my life in this community. Above all, it has expanded my horizons and provided me with a unique opportunity to complement many of my work-based skills."

Expand Your Network

The Council also regularly hosts events where volunteers meet, swap stories and make connections. Sharing experiences at a happy hour or a "backstage" event provides an open forum for volunteers to learn from each other and make personal connections that would not be possible without their Council affiliations.

Recently, close to 30 Arts & Business Council volunteers participated in a special on-stage workshop, "Acting Techniques for the Workplace" at The Wilma Theater. The volunteers raved about their unique, arts-based learning experience and volunteer Jerry Manas (author, speaker and consultant, The Marengo Group) commented, "The lessons in playfulness, focus and improvisation were eye-opening and invaluable for anyone trying to build a culture of creativity in the workplace. Who knew acting techniques could have direct application in innovation, team-building and leadership?"

More about the Arts & Business Council

The Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, established in 1981, brings together the arts, business and legal sectors to make the region the best it can be for everyone. Through its five core programs, the Council trains, places and oversees business volunteers as project consultants with the region's dynamic arts and cultural organizations. Over the past 28 years, the Council has involved more than 1,000 business professionals as volunteers and, in turn, assisted over 600 arts and cultural organizations. The experience for both the business volunteers and cultural organizations is positive and rewarding.

The Greater Philadelphia Region is a very unique and special place. A vital arts and cultural sector, robust business community and diverse population make this an exciting place to live, work and play.

Don't miss out on the action. There is an opportunity for you to enhance your life, your career and your region waiting right around the corner.

For more information, visit our website at www.artsandbusinessphila.org or contact us at 215.790.3620 or info@artsandbusinessphila.org

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