Converse's Benefit Art Auction

Full disclosure: I write a lot about Artists for Humanity because 1) I love the organization and it's a great example of art serving a higher purpose and 2) I'm on the Board of Directors so I'm in the know (and I'm invested!). 

I also love Converse's CSR strategy, which includes a mission to inspire creatives and support the artistic community. It makes sense; lots of creatives work there, customers can design their own shoes, and the limited edition art shoes (like Converse x Andy Warhol) all reflect the creative ethos of the company.  Over the years, Converse has partnered with Artists for Humanity, and their current initiative, the Lovejoy Art Benefit, is a great example of innovation in corporate support of arts and culture. 

For the most part, the art in Converse's Boston Headquarters has been commissioned by the company. Some of the art is permanent, and some temporary - and this is the second year that Converse is auctioning off the temporary art to benefit Artists for Humanity. The auction is live now (through 9/26/17) and hosted on Paddle8. 

Artwork by Cleon Peterson

The auction features a curated collection of 49 pieces of original artwork by 31 global artists that have been showcased at the Converse World Headquarters in Boston for the past year.

Converse's press around the initiative has centered on giving exposure to the featured artists, which include Ari Marcopoulos, Cleon Peterson, Erik Parker, Faile, STASH, Tara McPherson, Thomas Campbell.

Everyone wins - the artists were paid by Converse for the initial commissions, they get exposure when the art is deaccessioned, and an art-based nonprofit benefits from the proceeds. 

Artwork by Brendan Monroe, who said of the initiative: "“I really like the way Converse support the arts, as a company and an art department. They think of ways to support and be affiliated with the artist, by letting them have free reign to do what they do best.”