With spring behind us, the Lotus office is now “all Festival, all the time.” September may seem far away, but in our world, it’s just around the corner. Right now, the most important initiative (in addition to booking artists, of course) is making contact with business sponsors – new and returning – whose support will provide the foundation for the 2014 Lotus World Music and Arts Festival.

Executive Director Sunni Fass has met with several sponsors already, and says, “I’m inspired by this community of local businesses who see Lotus sponsorship as a key component of ‘giving back’ to their community and as, frankly, a core part of their business model and values.”

Not only do our sponsors get thousands of advertising “impressions” for their business, but they’re also excited to be part of the energy that keeps our arts scene unique and vibrant, and makes Bloomington a great place to live and work. “Our Festival-goers have told us that they love to support businesses that support Lotus,” says Sunni. For their part, sponsors tell us how important it is to show that they value an event beloved by their clients and customers – past and future.

Sponsor support is also crucial to bringing free Lotus events to the public, including at-risk youth, and those who might be facing challenges financially. “The Lotus components that we are able to offer free to the public, including Lotus in the Park and our Arts Village, actually incur significant costs. Our sponsors help underwrite those costs and make it possible for us to bring ‘Lotus magic’ to a wider audience.”

Sponsorships are available at a wide range of financial levels, and the Lotus staff is happy to work with interested businesses to craft the perfect match between sponsor interests and budget, and the various areas of Festival programming.  Sponsors can even provide financial support in installments that best fit different business and cash-flow cycles. “We make it easy for local businesses to make a difference as Lotus partners,” says Fass. “If you love what Lotus brings to the community, we want to work with you and get you more involved with that impact.”

To become part of the community of Lotus sponsors, contact Development Director Kristin Varella [kristin] {at] [lotusfest] {dot} org, 8112-336-6599. Find current Festival sponsorship guidelines here, or download a PDF [1.2MB].

Photo captions, from top: Lotus stage, photo by Jeffrey Hammond; Lotus Arts Village action.

Your contributions, large and small, make our work possible. When you donate to Lotus, you commit to helping foster the love of the diversity of the world’s cultures in South Central Indiana. There are many ways to donate to Lotus. Click “Donate” for more information.

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