"I feel used!"

Today's New York Times has a story by Erika Kinetz about Summer Art Circle, a program to introduce young professionals -- really just out of school -- to arts patronage. The idea is, hook 'em while their young. And you hear that all the time in the arts & culture sector. But listen to the comments by those attending the events:

“I didn’t know this was supposed to be philanthropic,” said Gregory Shih, who had just completed his second year at Cornell University Law School and was standing in a circle of fellow summer associates from Sullivan & Cromwell. “I have zero money. We haven’t gotten our first paychecks.”

“I feel used!” Mr. Wang said.

This is a packaged program produced by a for-profit company whose mission is to promote the arts. But didn't they ask the advice any actual young professionals and soon-to-be grads? For the recent graduates I meet, massive student loan debt is ever-present in their minds.

Only one guy, still in law school, was held up as a model for young people supporting the arts, but his mother is a longtime art collector, and he admittedly starting collecting at the age of seven. He didn't acquire his values from a Young Friends of the Museum program.

Kianga Ellis, the founder of the company whose first project is Summer Art Circle, says in the Times:

“I hope to create a pipeline of new patrons for the arts,” she said. “The challenge the arts are facing in terms of cultivating new patrons is how to make it interesting and relevant to the lifestyle of new professionals. It’s about making it part of your lifestyle — where you ate dinner, where you go on the weekend.”

And who could disagree with her. Studies show that Gen Y doesn't partake of culture as something  uplifting, or as a social responsibilty, but rather as they would any other entertainment option. The social component is crucial. But, at least as this Times piece portrays it, Summer Art Circle sounds like a bit of an ambush for young grads. I hope she's considering it a work in progress, and seeking real input from the people arts organizations most want to engage.

 

Comments

[Neill Archer Roan]

Great post, Maryann,as usual.

As I read about this program, I wonder at its design and I also wonder about the assumptions that underlay the program objectives. It seems to me that there is considerable naivete about the impulses that drive philanthropy, no matter young or old.

Supporting the arts in philanthropic terms is a modality of self-expression, just like consumption. It is part and parcel of constructing self-concept. And it almost always begins with an experience of value that exceeds cost.

Secondly, support is given in the context of an established relationship, where both parties know each other, care mutually about each other, and share commitments to the same values and goals.

Certainly, the objectives for this kind of program are worthy and admirable, but the notion that a one-size-fits-all solution could be crafted or implemented is dubious, in my mind.

What astonishes me is that a cultural institution would envision some boilerplate solution as ready to implement without an in-depth exploration of the implications of such a program.

Asking a new prospect for support - even introducing the concept of support - will be experienced as cheeky and presumptuous. In a social context, even talking about philanthropy is heard as asking for money. People feel ambushed, as you have so aptly illustrated here.

When I was raising money, we called this burning through prospects.

The idea of support can be discussed in philosophical terms, but it's not going to take an organization anywhere useful.

Cases are always made in very specific terms, envisioning clearly defined outcomes, and delivering both value and accountability.

These things seem to be lacking in what I understand of this program.

[Kianga Ellis]

I'm thrilled to come across this conversation about Summer Art Circle and the New York Times article. As founder of this program, I am equal parts disturbed and inspired by some of the quotes from summer associates that provocatively appear in the press. Clearly we do have a lot of work ahead to see more young and new professionals embrace philanthropy as something they make a part of their lives at an early stage. A key way we seek to achieve this is by demonstrating the many and various ways one can be philanthropic. I do think it shows a lack of maturity and exposure for someone 12 months away from a base salary of $145,000 to feel the least bit unhappy that he or she will be looked to for the financial support such a person can provide an organization, individual or cause.

I will absolutely ambush, trick and cajole anyone I can woo into a room in order to make a case indirectly or directly for making support of the arts a part of one's life. We believe that by bringing people into contact with a diverse and broad selection of the arts, we create opportunities for that magic moment to happen when an artist's creative expression changes you, moves you and gives life greater meaning. When the magic takes hold and a special relationship with art begins, our work is done—philanthropy happens.

I invite you to sign-up for our newsletter at www.summerartcircle.com or check the site in mid-September. We will release a report about Summer Art Circle 2006 which will include the results of surveys we took of members before and after the summer program.