About Us
Building loyal supporters one call at a time
Artsmarketing Services was founded in 1982 by individuals committed to saving their local theatre company in Toronto. They sent out letters and offered to come to people's homes to do a “Theatre Party" not unlike Tupperware parties, where friends of the theatre would gather their neighbours, family, and associates. They arrived dressed in costumes and performed bits from the up and coming plays. It became THE thing to do and we sold record numbers of season subscriptions.
Lesson 1:
Every market is different.
When we tried to transport this idea to Atlanta, Georgia for another theatre company, we found we needed a better way to communicate with more people personally and effectively.
So we tried “callin’ folks” that had purchased a ticket to a show in the past five years - and it worked! We found that the actors could speak with ten times as many people a night.
Lesson 2:
People enjoyed talking to us.
People appreciated the personal invitation campaign, hearing about the upcoming season, finding the best seats available, the organization's mission and how the funds generated would be used to support their cause.
The word spread and soon organizations across North America were calling, asking Artsmarketing Services to come to their city and set up customized local campaigns. Four decades later - we are still bringing in unprecedented results - not just for theatre companies, but for symphony orchestras, opera, ballet companies, museums, art galleries, hospitals, and national charities.
Why Are We So Successful?
Plain and simple: we believe in what we do. Passionately.
Revenue + Supporters
During the past three decades, Artsmarketing has secured nearly $1 Billion in revenue and over 4 Million new supporters for our clients.
Corporate + Capital
Our corporate campaigns have raised $1 Million + since 2004 while our capital campaigns have produced over $12 Million for our clients.
Planned Giving Campaigns
AMS planned giving campaigns have resulted in over 25,000 bequests conservatively estimated at more than $850 Million for our clients.
Meet our Team
Collaboration
Collaborative Conversations
“I have just spoken with someone on your fundraising team. In my entire life, I could never say that enjoyed one of “those” calls so thoroughly. Either the person is extremely well trained, or is a natural sales person, who is passionate about music. Either way, it is important for me to let you know what an asset she is to your team.
The donation that I made is small, but had it not been for her conversational and informative approach to the call, I would have made no donation. All that she said rang so true, and I simply could not hang up without making even my small contribution, to what I feel is an extremely worthy cause.”
Partner With Us
How will a strategic partnership with AMS help you and your organization?
Here's what you can expect from collaborating with us:
Achieve your revenue goals
Build audience, patron, and donor loyalty
Spread the news of your good work within your community
Convert one-time donors into monthly donors
Establish a direct line of communication with your supporters
Build your planned giving portfolio