Artists and collectors donate art through AC-RI for a number of reasons, including to: (1) know their work can have an impact on the lives of people in need (2) show work to audiences who normally do not have access to art (3) get work out of storage and have it viewed by the public (4) support a recipient agency’s mission (5) increase their visibility and reputation (6) provide a solution to issues relating to estate planning and/or (7) donate through a reliable program that makes the process simple.

The Art Connection connects artists and donors to community service organizations through the placement of original artwork.​

An agency needs art for several reasons, including to: (1) enrich the lives of program participants (2) stimulate dialogue, healing, creativity, and learning (3) create a more welcoming environment (4) allow them to participate in the collaborative process of choosing their new collection.

We ensure the eligibility of the agency through a comprehensive, yet simple application process. Upon receipt of the application, we visit the agency to assess their need for art, talk with staff, and examine their facility. Qualified agencies are public service or nonprofit organizations that provide a direct service to under-served populations. Facilities will have secure areas that are used regularly by participants and visitors, and lack the funds necessary to purchase art.

An agency completes the Application to Receive Art. Once the application has been approved, an on-site visit is scheduled to complete the application process. During the on-site visit, Art Connection will discuss the requirements to receive art. After the site visit, AC-RI will schedule an art selection session where the agency can choose art that is suitable for their purposes. After the selection, a pick-up is scheduled. During pick-up, the recipient agency must sign a deed for the artwork and will receive a placement letter outlining requirements for the selected work. Provided all eligibility requirements are met, the art then becomes permanent property of the non-profit.

A recipient agency: (1) assembles a selection committee (made up of staff, board members and constituents) to choose art (2) picks up the art from designated storage location by stated deadlines (3) arranges to frame any unframed artworks that it selects (4) installs selected art and corresponding plaques (5) cares for the art as stipulated in the Donee Agreement and Deeds (6) meets all deadlines including submitting Deeds and a brief 3 Month Report (7) adds a link to AC-RI on their website (8) thanks all art donors in writing (9) is encouraged to hold a reception to celebrate the installation

The qualified agency selects the art for its walls. The agency assembles a selection committee (usually comprising a group of 6-10 staff, clients, board members, and/or volunteers) that reviews approximately 300 available artworks and chooses the most appropriate art for its site.

On average art placement is 10-20 works, pending the size of the organization. After one year, agencies may be eligible to receive additional art. The art is a permanent donation and becomes property of the service agency. The agency must follow the stipulations of the Donee Agreement and Deed or forfeits ownership of the art.

When art is selected, AC-RI creates a placement letter for the recipient organization outlining requirements for the selected work and schedules an art pick-up. The agency is expected to pick up the art within 30 days. The transfer of art occurs and signed Deeds are retained by the recipient agency and AC-RI. Any art not picked up within 3-months will forfeit donation of the art and be removed from placement.

The recipient agency is responsible for calling the art donor within two weeks and scheduling a convenient time to pick up the art from designated location within a month. When picking up the art, the agency brings an appropriately sized vehicle and the Deeds to transfer ownership of the art.

Approximately half of the available art is either framed or ready to hang. On average an agency can expect, and must arrange to frame roughly half of their selected works. AC-RI will work with you and offer connections to local framers who offer a discount to our partners.

AC-RI expects recipient agencies to acknowledge and thank the artist/donor in writing, mention the donations in an article, newsletter or annual report, and include a web-link to the artist’s page and AC-RI page on their official site. We strongly encourage the agency to host a reception to exhibit their new art donations. Bringing together artists/donors, AC-RI, community leaders, friends and family is a great way to show gratitude for your new artwork as well as bringing community attention to your own charitable mission ​

Recipient agencies must sign an agreement that they are committed to caring for the art. The Donee Agreement stipulates that the agency will keep art secure, exhibit art in a visible location, not alter or deface art, and not sell or give art away. AC-RI reviews art placements to ensure that agencies fulfill their responsibilities by distributing a Six-Month Report and scheduling an Inventory Visit to verify all artwork is accounted for, framed, hung securely, and installed with its corresponding stickers and plaques.