A Conversation on the Arts: IECF Board Member Ann Sheffer Paints the Picture of a Vibrant Region
Meet Ann Sheffer, who joined IECF's board in 2021 while also serving as chair of the Palm Springs Public Arts Commission. As an IECF board member, she shares her passion for the arts by chairing the Arts for the IE Fund.
Ann's interest in the arts began as a teen. She attended a large, urban high school where the drama department had more students than the athletic program, and that's where she fell in love with theater. "It was clear even then," Ann says, "that being in the theater program - either onstage or backstage - was what kept a lot of kids in school. Maybe they weren't into athletics or academics, but the camaraderie and sense of community they found through the arts kept them engaged through graduation."
Ann went on to major in theater at Smith College. "I was a terrible actress," she jokes. "I loved working backstage, though, and got a lot of non-speaking roles as a maid because I knew where the trays were kept!" After graduating from Smith, she received her Master's in Arts Administration from Tufts University, where she wrote her thesis on audience development in nonprofit theaters. After college, Ann worked with nonprofit theaters as they experienced a new wave of growth outside New York City. She later moved to Seattle, where she worked to bring artists and art programs into schools.
Ann says, "Research has shown that early introduction to the arts can help students develop empathy, find ways to express themselves, and approach problem solving through creativity. Art encompasses all the genres: performing, visual, literary, and now digital. Just look at the creativity our kids are showing through Tik Tok and how they pulled off virtual performances during COVID!"
For over 50 years, Ann has maintained an influential presence as a supporter and patron of the arts. Her involvement with philanthropy began in her 20s as a board member of her grandfather's foundation, which supported college students by providing funds for unmet needs. She has served on the board of Americans for the Arts and was a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities under President Clinton. Ann and her husband, Bill, divide their time between Connecticut and Palm Springs, so both coasts have benefited from Ann's knowledge, advocacy and philanthropy.
Ann sees the Inland Empire as a rich resource of the arts. "We have everything from symphony orchestras to museums," she notes, "and, importantly, our arts offerings serve a cultural purpose. The Cheech Center for Chicano Art & Culture is a great example of that. Art is a way to tell the story of a community, its history and its people."
Ann is quick to point out the economic value of the arts in our region. "While the arts bring culture, education, and inspiration to our communities," she says, "they are also a key segment of the economy. In our region, the latest study - about five years ago - showed there were 18,000 jobs in the arts. And then there's the residual effect - for example, if you go out to the theater, you might also hire a babysitter, take an Uber, and have dinner at a local restaurant. One theater-goer pumps an extra $25 or more into the economy."
Ann emphasizes the importance of keeping the arts at the forefront of any discussions about local funding priorities. "As a community foundation, we've identified several crucial issues that need action in the region, including job development, the advancement of justice, creating pathways for our youth, and healing our communities. With our 80th Anniversary Signature Funds , we're highlighting priority issues to address them in a very visible way. That's where the Arts for the IE Fund comes in."
Brie Griset Smith, Senior Vice President of Charitable Giving, adds, "With leaders like Ann, we are changing the narrative in the IE and inspiring philanthropy. At IECF we're challenging ourselves and others to look at the personal ways that contributing time, talent and treasure can create a legacy of which we can all be proud. By embracing the arts as a powerful cross-cutting theme in our philanthropy, we create a path that promises to meaningfully improve our region in ways that inspire the creativity of our communities, artists and young people for generations to come."
According to the 2019 report Inland Empire: Changing the Narrative , "Nonprofits in this region received donor support in the amount of$25.55 per capita, as compared to the state average of $262.99." Government arts funding is even worse: the per capita state average is $3.00, but for the Inland Empire, it's 40¢. In addition to supporting arts organizations throughout the Inland Empire, money from the Arts for the IE Fund will invest in up-to-date research on the economic impact of the arts in the region. That information will be used to advocate for increased funding for the arts and assist nonprofit arts organizations in applying for government grants.
Ann recognizes that donors have a wide variety of interests when it comes to philanthropy. She invites anyone interested in supporting a vibrant region to consider a contribution to the Arts for the IE Fund . She says, "By investing in the arts, we preserve our region's history and secure a strong future for those who follow us."
The Arts for the IE Fund welcomes gifts of any amount. Choose your own role! Suggested donation levels are:
• Director - $10,000
• Stage Manager - $5,000
• Leading Role - $1,000
• Cameo - $100-$999
Visit our website for more information, or contact Brie Griset Smith, Senior Vice President of Charitable Giving at [email protected].