What is The Art Connection?
Founded as a nonprofit organization in 1995, The Art Connection's mission is to make art accessible to people who might not have exposure to original art in their daily lives. The Art Connection identifies artists willing to donate their work, shows the artwork to qualified agencies, and teaches them to care for the art. The works of art then become the permanent property of the recipients.
How many artworks have been placed?
We have placed over 4,200 artworks in over 275 different agencies in Greater Boston.
How many art donors participate?
Over 275 artists and collectors have donated their art through us.
Why should I donate art through The Art Connection?
Artists and collectors donate art through The Art Connection for a number of reasons including to:
- Know their work can have an impact on the daily lives of people in need
- Show work to audiences who normally do not have access to art
- Have work out of storage and have it viewed by many
- Support a recipient agency's mission
- Increase their visibility and reputation
- Provide a solution to issues relating to estate planning
- Donate through a reliable program that makes the process simple
Why do the agencies want original artwork?
Recipient agencies want original art for a number of reasons including to:
- Enrich the lives of program participants.
- Stimulate dialogue/healing/creativity/learning.
- Create a more attractive and welcoming environment.
- Boost the self-esteem of participants and staff.
- Allow them to participate in a collaborative project.
How are recipient agencies selected?
We ensure the eligibility of agencies through a comprehensive application process. Upon receipt of their applications, we visit the agencies to assess their need for art, talk with staff, and examine their facilities. Qualified recipient agencies are public or nonprofit organizations that provide a direct service to program participants, have secure areas that are used regularly by participants and visitors, and lack the funds necessary to purchase art.
How do I offer my artwork for donation?
It is easy. Contact us for materials, and then send us back digital images (via CD or email) or slides of your art, an artwork information sheet, a signed Donor Agreement, artist statement, and résumé. We will then show images of your art to qualified agencies.
When will an artwork be selected?
When an artwork is offered for donation, it may take weeks, months, or possibly a year or two before an agency selects it. We want agencies to select the art that best suits their program participants.
What happens when an agency selects my art?
When an artwork is selected, we will contact you for approval, tell you about the agency, and handle all the communication and paperwork needed to donate the art. After your approval, it usually takes three to six weeks for the agency to receive its paperwork, contact you, and pick up the art.
How will the art be stored and transported?
We ask you to store the art at your studio or home. The recipient agency will handle the transport of the art by calling you to schedule a convenient time to pick up the art. When they arrive, they will ask you to sign the deed of ownership, give you a copy of the deed, thank you for your donation, and bring the art back to their agency.
How will my donated artwork be cared for?
Qualified agencies are committed to caring for art and must sign a contract that they will do so. The contract stipulates that they keep the art secure, exhibit the art in a visible location, not alter or deface the art, and not sell or give the art away. We review art placements to ensure that agencies fulfill their responsibilities, but we cannot monitor agencies longer than three years. It is our expectation that the art will be displayed permanently.
How will my art donation be acknowledged?
We will thank you for each donation in writing. The agencies will thank you when they pick up the art. We also encourage agencies to acknowledge your donation in writing, invite you to visit the agency, and/or mention your donation in an article, newsletter, or annual report. An elegant plaque will be hung next to each artwork listing the name of the art donor and details about the artwork.
Must donated artworks be ready to hang?
We recommend offering art that requires no additional framing; but we will accept unframed art. Some recipient agencies have limited or no funding for framing.
What if one of the works I offered for donation is no longer available?
Please let us know as soon as possible if a work is no longer available.
Can I claim a tax-deduction on my art donation?
Art collectors routinely deduct the market value of a donated artwork. Some artists are able to write off the donated artwork's cost of materials on their taxes and others have different arrangements with their tax preparers that allow them to take higher deductions. Federal law allows artists to at least deduct the cost of materials when they donate their artworks. Please understand that you are responsible for assessing a value for your art donations and you will decide how to record them on your tax return.