In my role as Development Coordinator, I managed the day-to-day operations of sponsorships including communications, database management, and gift acknowledgement. I strived to identify, cultivate, and develop partnerships with entry levels sponsors that focused on collaboration–supporting the ArtPrize mission while also addressing sponsor-specific goals and objectives.
I assisted the Director of Strategic Partnerships with top tier partnerships including Meijer, Haworth, Herman Miller, Honda, X-Rite Pantone, and more in all-aspects from initial proposal to execution of deliverables.
I maintained our relationships with foundations and granting agencies, developing proposals and crafting compelling grant applications to sustain the organization’s expansive programming. Partnerships included Experience Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc, the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office, Michigan Council of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Jandernoa Foundation, and DeVos Family Foundations.
Below are a sample of the materials and events developed over the course of Project 1 by ArtPrize during 2019 and for ArtPrize 2020 prior to the event’s cancellation due to COVID-19:
ArtPrize 2020 Sponsorship Deck
The ArtPrize 2020 sponsorship deck provides an overview of the sponsorship opportunities available at our Benefactor, Patron, and Friend levels. I created this document utilizing images and statistic from previous ArtPrize events to give interested sponsors a look at our event structure and impact, while also presenting possible options for collaboration. Often times, I would go over this document when meeting with prospective sponsors and would tailor their package to best address their goals and investment point.
ArtPrize_BWW-Sponsorship-Deck_2020Project 1 by ArtPrize Entry Level Sponsorship Deck
Similar to the ArtPrize 2020 Sponsorship Deck, I developed this document to introduce the new Project exhibition format to sponsors, and showcase the opportunities available at our Patron and Friend levels. The sponsorship deck was often used as a jumping off point to develop a customized package that addressed their specific goals and objectives.
Project-1-Deck_Entry-Level-Sponsorship-DeckProject 1 by ArtPrize Event Guide Advertisements & Sponsor Recognition
Part of my role as Development Coordinator included the solicitation and coordination of advertisements for our event guide. I collaborated directly with sponsors to develop advertisements that blended their aesthetic with the Project 1 branding.
Additionally, I oversaw the recognition of sponsors across print, digital, and on-site collateral. This included logo and alpha recognition on such pieces as wayfinding signage, specific art installations, and locations.
Example of sponsor recognition on Wi-Fi landing page. 
Recognition of top-tier sponsors by logo on monoliths at each site location. 
Example of event specific sponsor recognition. Spectrum Health was our Official Health and Safety Partner for Pedal Project 1.
Project 1 by ArtPrize Sponsor Wrap Report
At the end of our Project 1, myself and the Director of Strategic Partnership held individual wrap sessions with our Benefactor and above sponsors. During these meetings, we would go over the high-level successes included below. We created additional slides that highlighted the ROI for that specific sponsor. These metrics include everything from social media engagement, brand placements, and more.
Project-1_High-Level-Wrap-Report_2019Honda Hopper Program
The Honda Hopper Program was a pilot program created in collaboration with Honda West Michigan. As the Official Vehicle of ArtPrize and now Project 1, we created a ride share program to help visitors get around Grand Rapids on Saturdays and Sundays during event hours. The Honda’s received a customized wrap that represented each Project 1 artist.
Working with the Volunteer Coordinator, I managed volunteer check-in and instruction each Saturday and Sunday. I would make sure each volunteer felt comfortable in their role, often joining them as a ride share driver.
Sponsor Tours
As part of their partnership, our top-tier sponsors were offered the opportunity to host a private reception during the Project 1 event. I would work with the sponsor’s Event Coordinator to plan the event and design a customized tour of one of our Project 1 sites. For the sponsor featured below, myself along with our Director of Strategic Partnership, Executive Director, and our Development Intern shuttled guests in the Honda Hoppers to our Rosa Parks Circle location where they received an exclusive exhibition talk from our Artist Director, Kevin Buist.
Project 1 by ArtPrize Auction: Custom Donor Experiences
As part of our large fundraising event, two exclusive art experiences, one to Miami Art Basel and the other Frieze New York, were part of a silent auction. After chatting with each prize winner, I created individualized travel itineraries which included scheduling flights, hotel accommodations, meal reservations, and event credentials. Our Director of Strategic Partnerships and Artistic Director attended the trip with the prize winner and served as their tour guide. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we were unable to fulfill the Frieze New York trip. However, the winner kindly chose to donate their bid to the organization.
Finalized-Miami-Art-Basel_Itinerary-Options_2019 Frieze-New-York_Itinerary-Options_2020Project 1 by ArtPrize VIP Strolling Happy Hour
Sponsored by longtime ArtPrize supporter McGarry Bair, we hosted a badgeholder happy hour within the downtown exhibition of artist Amanda Browder. Browder created a large-scale, fabric installation by wrapping four skywalks which link buildings within the heart of Grand Rapids. I worked directly with Via Design, our interior design partner, to style the space in a way that highlighted Browder’s colorful work.
