Feb. 14, 2005

Erika Fiest ('02) Forges Bonds Between the Arts and Business Communities

Performing artists and fine artists are often some of the most visible members of a community due to the nature of their work. Less visible, but equally important, are the people who work behind the scenes making it possible to sustain a vibrant arts community. People like Erika Fiest ('02).

Following graduation, Fiest worked in an administrative position for two years with the Chester County Art Association, a nonprofit cultural organization in West Chester, Pa., that promotes participation in the arts through classes, outreach and exhibitions featuring local artists.

“I knew I wanted to work for a nonprofit,” Fiest said, “and I enjoy being around the creative community.” Fiest also relished the opportunity to develop her interest in photography. She used the CCAA’s darkroom and took some of the organization’s photography classes.

An example of Fiest's photographic work

In her work at the CCAA, Fiest often interfaced with the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building relationships between the business community and the arts community. When the council offered her a job in August 2004, she accepted.

As a program associate for the Arts & Business Council, Fiest offers program support for the recruitment and training of volunteers from the business community who serve the arts community in a variety of areas. Through the Business Volunteers for the Arts program, the council provides one-day training sessions for business people who offer their particular talents or skills pro bono to assist arts organizations in short-term projects, such as website development or fundraising.

Business people who choose to make more of a long-term commitment by serving on the board or committee of an arts organization, for example, receive four days of training from the council through the Business on Board program.

Fiest sees many parallels between her work at the Arts & Business Council and her Jepson education. The leadership and professional development training the council provides is but one example.

But Fiest finds the most striking parallel in the council’s vision for a better community. “Jepson’s core idea of service to society has tremendous ties to the council’s mission of engaging business people in giving back to the community,” she said.

“The business community has a responsibility to assist the arts and cultural community,” Fiest said. “Ultimately a strong arts community is essential to building a strong economy that is favorable to business.” The more than 700 art and cultural organizations in Greater Philadelphia stand as a testament to the success of such a collaboration.