Success Stories

Let’s face it: opposites attract. And there may be no place on earth that embodies this theory quite like Aspen, Colorado. As Aspen Skiing Company CEO Mike Kaplan says, “It’s got the heart of a city, but the soul of a mountain town.” Seven years ago, a unique partnership between Aspen Skiing Company and the Aspen Art Museum fused the city’s heart and soul by bringing art to unexpected places.

In 2005, the Aspen Art Museum’s new director and chief curator, Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson, envisioned a new way to promote the town with the Aspen Skiing Company. Using the town’s iconic Aspen/Snowmass mountains as canvases, artists created showstopping (but not snow-stopping) sensations. Japanese artist Yutaka Sone, for one, rolled two vibrant 8-foot dice down the X Games Superpipe in 2006.

The Aspen Skiing Company even opened their minds and ears to auditory art. A February 2011 sound installation by Susan Philipsz brought beautiful, almost haunting a cappella singing to skiers crossing the Trestle Bridge. The invisible source of White Winter Hymnal gave skiers and riders reason to pause and appreciate the beauty and art of Aspen/Snowmass.

Still, other contributors used smaller canvases and pieces to combine sport and art. Since the partnership’s launch, each ski season has done away with standard lift tickets baring only barcodes, logos and expiration dates. Instead, Aspen/Snowmass lift tickets have featured the wide-ranging works of contemporary artists that were often scheduled for exhibitions at the Aspen Art Museum. Some, like Yutaka Sone’s 2005-2006 tickets, colorfully captured the joy and whimsy of the mountains. Others, like Carla Klein’s 2009-2010 tickets, offered reminders of the pristine conditions and exquisite views from the slopes. For the 2011-2012 season, sculptures by artist Mark Grotjahn installed on each of the four mountains were illustrated on lift tickets. As skiers returned throughout the season, their lift tickets served as reminders of the unexpected elements of both art and adventure in their journeys up and down the mountains.

The Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) acknowledged the efforts of the Aspen Skiing Company at its 25th Annual Business For the Arts Awards. The ongoing partnership with the Aspen Art Museum earned the Aspen Skiing Company the 2012 Impact Award, which honors companies that use the arts in innovative ways to drive business success in Colorado.Deborah Jordy, Executive Director, CBCA and Americans for the Arts Board Member says that, “The Aspen Skiing Company and Aspen Art Museum partnership epitomizes CBCA’s Impact Award – their partnership proves that integrating the arts into business not only differentiates Aspen from other ski resorts worldwide, but it also translates into economic success.”

According to Kaplan, “As a business we are trying to compete with destinations from around the world from Hawaii to other ski resorts.  How do you stand out from the crowd?  Well, you stand out by having this incredible arts experience and arts offering and cultural experiences and all those things in addition to the splendor and beauty of the mountains.”

“Arts can play a vital role in promoting health and wellness. That’s why through our sponsorships, employee fundraising, and volunteerism, Aetna ensures the arts continue to thrive.” — Mark T. Bertolini, Chairman, CEO and President, Aetna

Collectively, we know the arts accomplish more than what meets the eye (or the ear), but sometimes there are partnerships which are attention grabbing for their creative approach.

The collaboration between Aetna and the Center for Puppetry Arts is one of those partnerships.

Well…whose attention wouldn’t be pulled towards a puppet called ‘Little Noodle’?

‘Little Noodle’ is a new puppet created by Atlanta-based Center for Puppetry Arts in collaboration with Aetna. The Adventures of Little Noodle is one of the Center’s plays addressing health and wellness, as part of their Healthy Children/Prevent Childhood Obesity Initiative.

Aetna has been committed to being at the forefront of this issue in the healthcare field and sees a strong tie to the effectiveness of messaging through the arts.

The arts can be a strong vehicle for a business’s message and the strength of programs like Aetna’s, is built on the power and reach of the arts.

In fact, when the play was first created, Cynthia Follmer, then president of Aetna’s Georgia market, said that the Center for Puppetry Arts “uses puppets to reach and inspire children in ways that few others can.”

As part of its efforts to reduce obesity rates, Aetna Foundation recently awarded grants to the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York, The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, Dance Out Diabetes in San Francisco, and the Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford to offer dance-oriented health and fitness programs for children and families who live in underserved areas.

From music to dance, fine arts to performing arts, Aetna believes that the arts can enhance one’s personal wellbeing, revitalize a community, and create a world that bridges cultures and differences.

Smart companies know the importance of building teamwork among their employees. But so often the opportunities to bring different departments and disciplines together are few and far between. Sure, there are team building exercises, retreats and corporate get-togethers. But the telecommunications firm M5 Networks found a different approach: A company-wide battle of the bands that takes the stage during their annual meeting.

Called the M5 Rocks program, employees are thrust into different musical acts, with employees they typically don’t interact with. And since learning new things is a core principle at M5, employees who have musical background are not allowed to play an instrument they’re already proficient at.

To help them get their act together (excuse the pun,) M5 turned to Ivan Trevino, an educator from the Hochstein School of Music and School of Rock in New York City. This year there were about two dozen employees broken up into 5 or 6 M5 bands. Every week they’d get together (on company time) to learn and practice covers of rock songs. 

Trevino says his involvement with M5 Rocks culminated after a meeting with Phelim White, the founder of M5’s Rochester office, who approached the music school about teaming up. 

According to White “Most people don’t want to learn something that they’re really insecure about.” White is a drummer himself, who even toured the U.S and Ireland. And he knows first-hand that there’s better way to build a team than to start a band. “That’s the accounting person getting together with an engineer and a sales guy, all these different departments coming together as a band as a unit and learning how to be great together," he explained. 

This year, the company’s expecting an audience of about 2,000 — a pretty big gig for a bunch of fledgling rock stars. Last year a band from the Rochester office came in second to New York City. But this year the Rochester team say they’re taking home the title.

Pitting one office against the other? In this case, that’s music to M5’s ears.

Most music fans know Bethel Woods Center for the Arts as the site for the iconic 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair. Today, Bethel Woods is home to a cultural center, outdoor performing arts pavilion, amphitheater, event gallery and history museum. Their mission, while timely, is still true to their historic roots: to inspire creative expression and civic engagement to enrich the human spirit.

To help foster that engagement with a younger generation, Bethel Woods launched a Traveling Trunks program, which takes the center’s resources into local classrooms. Today, three trunks make their way to schools in rural areas that often have limited access to the arts.

Music around the Globe explores music and musical instruments from fourteen different cultures on six continents. Personalities of the Sixties profiles groups that defined the 1960s. The Times They are A-Changin’ places the 1960s within broader changes in America from the end of WWII to the Bicentennial in 1976. All trunks include touchable objects, primary documents, and lesson plans for hands-on learning experiences. The musical instruments in particular are high quality, usually made by hand in their country of origin, so that students are encountering a “real” object.

The trunks are available to teachers--and scout leaders, children’s librarians, and other youth service providers-- free of charge. And that’s where ShopRite Supermarkets comes in. As a community grocery store, they know the importance of education and community outreach. “ShopRite is pleased to support Bethel Woods and its Traveling Trunks program,” said Tom Urtz, vice president of human resources and community affairs, ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc. “Their unique approach to providing an educational experience through the arts is consistent with ShopRite’s goal of reaching out and connecting with the communities we serve.” As part of their partnership and to help Bethel Woods generate interest and support, ShopRite displayed the trunks in their grocery stores to introduce the program to area neighbors.

The result? Bethel Woods got some much-needed exposure and saw outreach to schools substantially increase. And ShopRite helped to cement its reputation as a good neighbor and community activist.

Now that’s what we call a creative win-win.
 

When you think about Humana, you think of health and wellness. After all, their business is all about helping people achieve lifelong well-being.

So it should come as no surprise to learn that Humana understands how the arts can play a critical role in a person’s overall health and well-being, as well.

“Our success is driven by innovative people who thrive in communities with engaging and diverse cultural opportunities,” says Michael B. McCallister, Humana’s Chairman and CEO. “As Humana’s business has grown, so too has its commitment to the communities we serve.”
 
It’s this commitment that has led Humana to sponsor the Humana Festival of New American Plays for the past 33 years. The Festival is presented thanks to a partnership between Actors Theatre of Louisville and The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. The support of The Humana Foundation began in 1980 – the third year of the Festival – and represents the longest, continuous and current partnership between a corporation and a theatre in the country.


Through The Humana Foundation’s ongoing support, the Humana Festival has become the premier New Play Festival in the country. Annually, the Festival draws audiences of nearly 40,000, including hundreds of the industry’s most distinguished leaders, producers, critics, and admirers. All descend upon Louisville for a month-long celebration of new writing for the stage.


The Humana Foundation’s belief in Actors Theatre and the Festival has shaped the American theatrical canon. This partnership has made a lasting impact on the nation and the world, with more than 400 plays introduced into the American and international theatre’s general repertoire. Premiering plays include three Pulitzer Prize winners—The Gin Game by D. L. Coburn, Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley and Dinner with Friends by Donald Margulies—as well as Rinne Groff’s The Ruby Sunrise, Jane Martin’s Anton in Show Business, Charles L. Mee’s Big Love, Theresa Rebeck’s The Scene, Gina Gionfriddo’s After Ashley and Becky Shaw, UNIVERSES’ Ameriville, Jordan Harrison’s Maple and Vine, Stephen Belber’s Tape and The Civilians’ This Beautiful City.



Over the years, The Humana Foundation has been a supporter of civic and cultural development and places great value on the long-standing relationship with Actors Theatre of Louisville. Today, The Humana Foundation aligns with Humana Inc.’s focus on health and well-being by providing grants especially in the areas of childhood health and education, health literacy, and intergenerational health.

“We believe that companies like ours must play a significant role as citizens beyond our role as corporations. We must lead responsibly to help our communities, our nations and the world address challenges that are bigger than any one company’s interests. That includes bringing problem-solvers together, focusing them on action that helps communities grow, and helping communities develop the resources that sustain and attract people who choose to live, work, learn and play in them." 

– Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO

Boeing is a company of amazing people working in one of the most exciting industries in the world. Yet when you consider their history – from designing and building the earliest biplanes to creating and supporting today's supersonic aircraft and spacecraft – you might think they would be content with how far they’ve come. But a company of their size and scope doesn't succeed by resting on its laurels; they are constantly re-examining their capabilities and processes to ensure that Boeing is as strong and vital as its heritage. In fact, its culture mirrors the heritage of aviation itself, built on a foundation of innovation, aspiration and imagination.

To help foster a culture of innovation and imagination, Boeing has turned to the Arts.

George Roman, Vice President, State & Local Government Operations and Regional Executive at Boeing sums it up nicely. “We have long held that investing in the arts positively impacts economic development and growth, produces a creative and diverse workforce, and nurtures the imagination and self reflection needed to solve complex personal and community issues.”

That’s why, for the fourth year, Boeing has partnered with the Arts and Education Council in St. Louis on the Boeing/Arts and Education Council Collaborative Grant program – an innovative funding opportunity for arts organizations to create and promote a more sustainable arts and cultural environment that engages people to become lifelong arts participants, patrons and practitioners.

Under the Boeing gift, grants have been awarded to seven arts programs in the St. Louis area to develop and train future arts leaders. Groups such as the Cinema St. Louis, Grand Center, Inc., Jazz St. Louis, MADCO (Modern American Dance Company), Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, St. Louis Children’s Choirs, and Stages St. Louis have benefited from Boeing’s generosity and vision.

In fact, since 2008, The Boeing Company has supported 32 grants through the Boeing/Arts and Education Council Collaborative Grant program.

“Boeing is one of our most dedicated and generous supporters,” said Cynthia A. Prost, president of the Arts and Education Council. “They understand the vital role the Council plays in financially supporting the St. Louis arts community and its direct impact in attracting the best and the brightest workforce to our region. By funding programs designed to mentor and train individuals in arts management, The Boeing Company ensures area arts organizations will continue to thrive and strengthen the St. Louis region.”

What’s more, Boeing realizes that the arts play an even bigger outside of any one company.

Looking to create a cohesive environment that blends diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures? Through exhibitions, performances and workshops, the arts provide opportunities for employees to grapple with workplace concerns and become more familiar with their coworkers around the world. Portland General Electric (PGE) liberally incorporates the arts into its corporate culture, while also encouraging other area businesses to follow suit. PGE underwrote the creation of “Creative Differences,” a diversity program the company co-developed with a local arts nonprofit.

In addition, PGE has instituted the “Powerhouse Art Project”, where local artists represent, through paintings or other works of art, the mills and powerhouses that dot the rivers around Portland. It’s not only bringing awareness of the PGE story to the community, but acting as a corporate culture building exercise as well, as employees see their company celebrating itself (and by extension, them) in the community.

“We believe that a strong arts culture can inspire, educate and entertain widely diverse audiences in our communities—touching each individual in deeply meaningful ways. — Terry J. Lundgren, Chairman, President and CEO, Macy’s Inc.

Strongly rooted in the local communities of each of its 850 stores, Macy’s recognizes that putting a strong emphasis on the arts creates a vibrant and energetic society. It’s why they work hard to make a difference in each community nationwide—partnering with arts organizations and programs in hundreds of cities in every region of the United States.

In addition to hundreds of programs across the United States, Macy’s partnered with the Summer HD Festival for the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 2010 which screened 10 of the Met’s Live in HD performances in Lincoln Plaza. Macy’s Herald Square store in New York City dedicated a display window to the Met for the month to promote the Summer HD Festival.  Allowing both Macy's and the Metropolitan Opera to reach new audiences.

Macy’s actively expands the reach and audience of arts and culture institutions, ensuring access for diverse and multicultural audiences. In 2008, Macy’s partnered with Freedom’s Sisters, the first comprehensive traveling exhibition that saluted women in the Civil Rights movement and honored 20 remarkable African-American women who made significant contributions to all Americans.

“A vibrant arts community contributes to a strong business environment by enhancing the quality of life, providing creative outlets, and promoting cultural diversity.” — George W. Buckley, Chairman, President and CEO, 3M.

If there’s one thing 3M believes, it’s that arts and culture programming, especially programs with strong educational outreach, help improve the quality of life in communities. Besides helping museums across the country, they partnered with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) to present an unprecedented exhibit or 60 exceptional pieces from the Louvre’s collection in Paris, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Vermeer. The MIA’s educational outreach provided teacher workshops, online resources, free guided tours for 7,000 K–12 students, and Parent Ambassador Training Program, reaching 6,300 additional students.

The 3M Foundation also helped to create the City of Columbia’s Center for the Arts in Missouri, an artistic hub of local and national performing arts groups, visual artists, and a new generation of audiences. 3M also partners with the History Theatre in St. Paul, MN, one of the few organizations in the country that develops and produces original plays on its main stage. The education program helps students connect the history they learn about in the classroom to the plays they see at History Theatre that bring history to life. Through its partnership with 3M, the theater provides study guides, lesson plans, and group activities for students, encouraging them to explore and understand history.

  *Photo: Following the belief that arts and culture programming helps improve the quality of life in communities, 3M supports the Guthrie Theater capital campaign. Credit: Sally Wagner.  

The arts help companies recognize employees and celebrate their talents. Employee art exhibitions and corporate band challenges allow workers to demonstrate skills outside of their normal, everyday jobs. According to Raymond James Financial, “Office space is the next best thing to a museum because we have a high-traffic area with about a million square feet.” The firm’s corporate headquarters is home to The Tom and Mary James/Raymond James Financial Art Collection consisting of more than 1,800 artworks. The collection is open by invitation to the public for docent tours that annually draw about 3,000 people.

In fact, many of Raymond James’ employees who were never interested in art have become collectors or proudly bring friends to the headquarters and it is often voted one of the best places to work because of the creative environment.

Raymond James also hosts the annual Associate & Affiliate Art Show, typically attracting over 400 works in various media from the firm’s employees and associates across the country. The artwork is displayed in the headquarter office and online, with prizes going to winners in four categories and a People’s Choice Award voted on by all associates.

Art in the workplace allows for employee interaction across departments, lowers silos and just gets employees a chance to see another side of each other. Arts based training and other artistic opportunities encourage interaction between employees and enhance team building. At Oklahoma-based Chesapeake Energy, they’re always looking for ways to enhance their employees’ personal growth through their unique culture. One way? Well, by putting on a company-wide talent contest, of course. It’s not only a great opportunity for employees to show off their unknown talents, but to support each other, as well. Part of the show is a rock band challenge, where employee-manned bands compete against each other.

Last year, Chesapeake Energy’s company band, "Shale Play," stole the spotlight and earned the title of the world's "Best Corporate Band" at the 10th annual Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands.

Martha Burger, Chesapeake's Senior Vice President of Human and Corporate Resources, commented, "At Chesapeake, we are always looking for ways to enhance our employees' work experience and personal growth through our unique culture. This contest was not only a great opportunity for the members of Shale Play to display their talent and pursue their passion, but it also gives our employees an opportunity to enjoy their colleagues' musical skills and show their support for their fellow employees."

No wonder this company was recently named one of the best places to work in their region by Fortune Magazine.

“Arts programs are essential to our communities. So we make it a priority to support these programs with volunteer time, board participation, and financial contributions.” — Walt Smith, Managing Partner, Baker Botts L.L.P.

A major arts partner since the 19th century, international law firm Baker Botts, is dedicated to helping arts organizations thrive and providing opportunities for its employees and clients to increase their exposure to all forms of art. In doing so, they know it brings valuable perspectives, experiences, and talents to the firm, allowing them to be more creative, effective, and ultimately successful at work.

Each winter, their Houston office hosts a family holiday event tied to its partnerships with local performing arts organizations. These events have taken place in conjunction with productions such as “The Nutcracker” at Houston Ballet, and “The Grinch” at Theater Under The Stars followed by an exclusive on-stage reception. These unique experiences allow Baker Botts to introduce the arts to a new generation and foster an early appreciation for the arts.

They’re also incorporating the arts in conjunction with their diversity initiative. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in 2011, Baker Botts displayed an art exhibit by Artists of the Americas – including original artworks by internationally emerging artists from Latin America – and feature them in several of their domestic offices.

“We literally bring a sense of the arts to everything we do because the arts refresh lives and inspire distinction.” -- Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Kohler Co.

Over its 138 years, Kohler has expanded from plumbing products into a global, multi-industry leader, driving innovation and a single level of quality in each of its core businesses. Their partnerships with the arts and artists stems, in part, from the value it places on design, innovation, and craftsmanship in every product. The importance of the arts is palpable as soon as you enter its corporate headquarters in Wisconsin, where a vibrant mural created in 1925 by Arthur Covey depicts the life of the factory.

Through the years, Kohler Co. has funded the arts at museums, performing arts centers, art schools, and universities across the country. Over four decades ago, the company began to support an unusual and spirited grassroots effort that “makes real the power of the arts to transform lives and strengthen communities.” Named John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) because of its beginnings in the 1882 home of Kohler Co.’s founder, JMKAC is an independent organization, nationally acclaimed today for the creative exchange it generates between an international community of artists and a broad, diverse public —through remarkable exhibitions, collections, residency programs, performing and media arts, and a wide range of arts education opportunities.

Among the Arts Center’s most well known programs is Arts/Industry, a unique collaboration with Kohler Co. that takes place in the manufacturing plant at the company’s headquarters. Arts/Industry makes the facilities and technologies of the company’s Pottery, Iron and Brass Foundries and Enamel Shop available annually to approximately 16 artists from around the world. More than 500 artists, generally four at a time, have been involved since 1974.

In residencies of two to six months, the artists are able to explore new ways of thinking and working and to create bodies of work that are not possible in their own studios. Works have included sculptural and functional forms, murals, temporary installations and major public art commissions for parks, convention centers and other sites from Oregon to North Carolina. Studio space in the factory is accessible to the artists 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They also receive free materials, use of equipment, technical assistance, photographic services, housing, round-trip transportation from their homes, and modest honoraria.

The value of Arts/Industry to Kohler Co. and the region is manifold. The artists’ involvement in the factory and the community energize the associates, and a creative synergy develops not only with the designers but also with engineers, slip casters, enameling specialists, etc. The cross-pollination leads, at times, to innovative ideas regarding products. In addition, each artist spends one day per month in education programming at JMKAC and schools and universities.

The artists generally produce relatively large bodies of work that belong to them. Each artist is asked to give one work to the company and one to JMKAC. These pieces are exhibited at JMKAC, throughout Kohler Co.’s Wisconsin campus and at its Kohler Design Center, a showcase for the company’s products. Works have been shown in museums and galleries worldwide. The company’s collection made its global debut in China in 2009 at Beijing’s notable 798 Art Zone.

Whether it’s sponsoring student-focused programs, creating innovative arts education programs, or underwriting student tickets to arts events, Bethesda’s Shugoll Research puts the arts smack dab in the middle of their day-to-day operations.

They start by encouraging their staff to serve on the boards of arts organizations. And they have a great role model: CEO Mark Shugoll is Chairman of the Board of Arena Stage and also serves on the boards of the George Mason University Arts Partnership, the national Theatre Communications Group (TCG) and the national Business Committee for the Arts, Inc. Merrill Shugoll, the President, is on the board of Signature Theatre, as well.

Shugoll knows that inspired employees bring creative thinking into the workplace. So it’s quick to invite employees to opening night performances at the local theaters. Their holiday parties often include dinner with artist performances followed by a trip to a play or concert.

And since the arts play a powerful role in the community, they provides pro bono and low cost research to arts organizations. The result? Well, more than 50 arts organizations have built audiences, increased donor bases, developed marketing strategies, positioned capital campaigns and created audience services programs.

All in all, it’s a commitment Shugoll made back 1997, when it created ArtSpeak! to generate interest in the arts among middle and high school students and their parents and to encourage them to attend performances. The program, presented 5-6 times a year, brings leading Broadway, jazz, classical music, dance and design artists into public schools to discuss their careers, answer questions and perform. The company recruits the artists and funds all elements of the program including artist fees, sound and lighting. To fully engage the audience, students introduce and interview the artists as part of each event.

For the last 12 years, the company has organized TheaterTrips! for students so they may attend the theater, concerts and dance events. Since the program started, more than 3,000 students have attended.

We say, Bravo!
 

The arts are about critical thinking, solving and reframing problems and facts in ways that reveal insights and opportunities. The businesses that understand the value the arts bring to their workforce, workplace and communities succeed. Just look at The Wagner Companies, one of Milwaukee’s oldest metal manufacturers. Several Wagner workers are artists who were looking for a way to make a living and took jobs as metal fabricators for the company. While at Wagner, they’ve used downtime to create artwork out of scrap metal from the line floor. So what might have been wasted scrap, is turned into stainless steel light fixtures – which Wagner hopes to add to their product offerings. In fact, the company has a product development board that reviews any employee’s creative product ideas.

In the end, the employees’ creativity benefits the company’s bottom line. "Anyone can sketch something on a piece of paper and get it reviewed," said Kane Behling, company production manager.