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.

We have placed almost 4,000 works of art with almost 300 different agencies in Greater Boston.

Why do art donors give their art to agencies?

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 does an agency apply?

An agency completes a two-page application, signs the Donee Agreement, and supplies supporting material to The Art Connection. We review the application and schedule an appointment with the agency to visit its site. After the site visit, it typically takes us less than a week to notify the agency if it has been approved for an art placement.

What are a recipient agency's responsibilities?

A recipient agency will assemble a selection committee to choose art, pick up the art from the art donors in a timely fashion, arrange to frame any unframed artworks that it selects; install the selected art; care for the art as stipulated in the Donee Agreement and deeds, meet all deadlines including submitting a brief six month report; adding a web-link to The Art Connection on their website; and thanking the art donors.

Who chooses the art?

Each qualified recipient agency selects the art for its walls. The agency assembles a selection committee (usually made up of a combination of six to ten staff and clients) that reviews up to 300 available artworks and chooses the most appropriate art for its site.

How much art do agencies receive?

An average art placement is 15 original pieces of art. After one year, agencies may be eligible to receive additional artwork.

Is the artwork permanently donated?

The art is given from the art donors directly to the agency. The agency owns the art and must follow the stipulations of the Donee Agreement and Deed. The art is a permanent gift from the artist to the agency.

What happens after an agency selects art?

When art is selected, The Art Connection contacts the art donors for approval and handles all the paperwork needed to donate the art. Upon receipt of the paperwork, the agency is expected to contact the art donors and pick up the art within four weeks.

How is the art transported?

The recipient agency is responsible for calling the art donor within two weeks and scheduling a convenient time to pick up the art. They must bring an appropriately sized vehicle and the deeds to transfer ownership of the art.

Is the art framed?

Approximately half of the available artwork is ready to hang. Every agency should expect to frame half of the works that are selected. Note: we do work with local framers who provide discounts for Art Connection clients.

How do agencies express their gratitude?

The Art Connection encourages recipient agencies to acknowledge the donations in writing, mention the donations in an article, newsletter, or annual report, and to invite the art donors to an upcoming event at the agency. Many agencies host art receptions to thank the art donors and offer tours of the art to the community.

How do agencies care for the art?

Recipient agencies are committed to caring for art and must sign an agreement that they will do so. The Donee Agreement stipulates that they keep the art secure, exhibit the art in a visible location, will not alter or deface the art, and will not sell or give the art away. The Art Connection reviews art placements to ensure that agencies fulfill their responsibilities.