Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA) brings the knowledge of the business world to the needs of the nonprofit arts community. If you are a business professional, the Arts Council invites you to share your expertise by becoming a volunteer consultant. If you are an arts professional, consider applying for assistance in financial and strategic planning, marketing, information technology, human resources and more. See the Program Details for more information.
From start to finish, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council supports both its volunteers and clients to ensure successful projects that have definable goals and an achievable timeframe. We take the time to understand the client’s request and the consultant’s strengths—from the very beginning—so that you can feel confident and excited about the work you'll do together.
To get started: Fill out a 
BVA Client Application or a Volunteer Profile Form .
Is your project finished? Fill out the Final Report Survey
Are you a current volunteer? Download our 
Volunteer Resource Guide and check out our Volunteer Resource Page for even more information!
Questions? Contact David Seals at 412.391.2060 x227.
Program Details
What organizations are eligible to apply?
How do organizations apply for assistance?
How much does it cost to apply?
What types of projects are eligible?
What are the expectations of volunteers?
How does the matching process work?
- What organizations are eligible to apply?
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To work with a BVA, an organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose primary mission includes the arts. In our experience, the most successful BVA clients have at least one of the following characteristics:
- Minimum annual expenditures of at least $100,000
- Minimum of one full-time, paid staff member
- Minimum of three years as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Minimum of three events, exhibitions, or performances per year
Your organization does not have to comply with this complete list to be eligible. If you are unsure, please give us a call to explore how we might help.
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- How do organizations apply for assistance?
- Simply fill out a BVA Client Application to get started. A GPAC staff member will review your application and contact you for more details about the assistance you're looking for.
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- How much does it cost to apply?
- BVA is free for GPAC members. There is a $15 application fee for non-members, which can be paid through ProArtsTickets online or by calling 412.394.3353.
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- What types of projects are eligible?
- BVA projects are designed to grow the knowledge and skills of arts organizations. Volunteers are not a substitute for staff, but rather are consultants to help staff grow and learn. Some examples include:
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Accounting and Finance - Accounting Systems and Procedures,Budgeting and Cash Flow Management, QuickBooks, Tax Planning
Human Resources - Diversity Training, Work Efficiency Assessment, Job Description Development, Mediation / Meeting Facilitation, Personnel Policies and Procedures
Fundraising - Development Planning, Grant Proposal Research, Endowments/Long-Range Planning
Marketing - Advertising Planning, Graphic Design, Marketing Planning, Public / Media Relations
Governance / Operations - Board Management, Event Planning, Insurance Planning, Long Range / Strategic Planning, Real Estate / Space Planning
Technology - Database Design, IS / Technology Planning, Web Design
BVA does not provide: audits, direct financial assistance, fundraising professionals, individual artist consultations, non-management tasks (ushering, mailings, etc.), operating staff, permanent volunteers or board of directors. Download a client application to get started!
- How do I become a volunteer?
- Fill out the Volunteer Profile Form and email it to the
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, along with your resume. Once your application is reviewed, you will be asked to come in for a brief interview, so that we can better understand what projects would be a good fit for you!
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- What are the expectations of volunteers?
- The Arts Council is looking for the best and brightest business professionals, with a passion for arts and culture and a desire to volunteer their time to area nonprofits. Whatever your field, we have a place for you. As a general rule, volunteers should have at least five years experience and be available to committ 2-3 hours per week for the duration of a project. Projects range from a single afternoon consulting session to several months.
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- How does the matching process work?
- Requests are matched in 6 easy steps (see a diagram of the process):
1. An organization submits an Online Application.
2. GPAC staff reviews the application and calls with follow-up questions.
3. GPAC staff emails the request to the pool of volunteers, or to a specific volunteer.
4. When a volunteer becomes available, GPAC staff facilitates a "match meeting" between the volunteer and the organization, to define the project's deliverables and timeframe.
5. The volunteer and arts organization work together to complete the project. - 6. The volunteer and the arts organization complete a final report, upon project completion.
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