Formed in 1974, Business for the Arts is a national business association dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of partnerships between Business and the Arts through a cohesive set of programs that foster and promote business leadership in the Arts, facilitate funding relationships and connect business volunteers to the Arts. Founding members include Great West Life, London Life & Canada Life and Royal Bank of Canada – businesses that have set the standard for arts support in this country.

We are committed to enhancing the quality of life in Canadian communities by increasing private sector support of the arts.

The arts enrich Canadian society in so many ways: they nurture creativity in children, they enliven downtown streets, they bring together communities, they enable us to share our stories and provide new ways of seeing ourselves as Canadians.

Businesses are increasingly expected to balance the social, economic and environmental components of their business, while building shareholder value. Developing creative partnerships with arts organizations is one way to build community capacity by enabling freedom of expression and shaping cultural identity.

Hon. Henry N.R Jackman (2008 Edmund C. Bovey Winner) with Donald K. Johnson (2007 Bovey Winner) at the awards announcement at Torys LLP, June 4th, Photo: Colleen Nicholson

2008 BftA Awards Announcement Photo Gallery

2007 Business for the Arts Awards Gala Highlights

Latest News

Hon. Henry N.R. Jackman named 2008 Edmund C. Bovey Award Winner!

Calgary’s Claudia Moore named inaugural Arnold Edinborough Award Winner!

Sun Life Financial, Scotiabank, L’Oréal and North American Development Group named 2008 Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Awards Winners!

Business promotes the arts in Orillia

Arts investments pay off in Orillia

Linger with the leading lights of Luminato

Breakfast with the AGO's Matthew Teitelbaum

2008 Winter Newsletter (PDF 1.1MB)

New and improved on-line Arts surveys launched!

Niagara Public Art Program Launched Feb 15

New Award for Young Business Volunteers in the Arts!

Business for the Arts sponsors John Holden's visit.

ArtsVest wins Great Grants Award!
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