...one must make time for meaningful pursuits — to help heal the world in the damaged places.

The Rewards of Being Charitable
(An excerpt from the book Success Now! For Artists)

Who you are is reflected by the charities you support. Tremendous personal benefits await the volunteer. To bring positive change to someone's life and to be productive in our society, one must make time for meaningful pursuits — to help heal the world in the damaged places. Don't wait until you have a generous amount to give. Small contributions of time and effort given with the right spirit can be just as valuable.

As a young artist, living in the suburbs, I gave free lectures and drawing lessons to children at the local library, organized art fund-raising events for the Chamber of Commerce, and conducted creative discussion groups for patients at a psychiatric hospital. Those formative years helped me to develop confidence, experience and personal satisfaction.

Volunteerism has continued to offer me a chance to contribute to worthy causes as well as provide surprising benefits in building relationships and advancing my career. When I arrived in New York City I turned to volunteering as a way of meeting important art leaders and building my résumé. I organized art exhibitions in community centers and banks, wrote art reviews in local community newspapers, served on the Board of Directors of New York Artist's Equity and the panel of jurors on the Awards of Excellence in the Arts for the mayor. Volunteer work will always be an integral part of my personal life and business.

Look for opportunities to be generous. You will not only gain satisfaction by helping others, you will also create a positive self-image. Follow your heart, passion and concerns, and you will be led to special interest groups that share your interests. The options are endless — environment, politics, anti-censorship, health care, seniors, Pro-life vs Pro-choice, anti-drugs — to name a few. Volunteer to help in hospitals, libraries, museums, the city council, variety club, United Way, animal protection groups, political clubs, neighborhood improvement groups, girl scouts and religious and cultural groups.

Don't wait for a charity to approach you. Contact them with an idea. Share your creativity and talent in ways that are useful to the organizations' efforts to raise funds. Offer your art as a vehicle to help them communicate their mission.

Renée Phillips is an artist career consultant. Learn more.

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