Support BICA
AN INSTITUTE→
Institutes have historically been places where people gather to learn, exchange ideas, and build knowledge — without credentials or permission. They are flexible structures, able to hold exhibitions, classes, publications, and funding programs at once.
BICA is that kind of place. You don't need to be an artist or arrive with prior knowledge. You just need to be curious.
FOR CONTEMPORARY ART→
Contemporary art deals with the world as it is today — unfinished, contradictory, unresolved. It connects local experience to global conversation. It's where ideas and aesthetics are tested before they settle into tradition.
Buffalo knows how to tell its own history. What's harder is staying present. A city that takes contemporary culture seriously is a city that stays awake.
IN BUFFALO.
People choose places that feel alive — where there's evidence of thought, risk, and imagination. Where things are happening.
By building space for artists and culturally curious people to meet and contribute, BICA strengthens the cultural infrastructure that keeps people here and draws others in. Supporting BICA is one way to invest in the kind of city Buffalo is becoming.
It takes approximately $370,000 a year to keep BICA running — presenting over 100 free programs, distributing 10,000 copies of Cornelia Magazine and the Buffalo Art Map, and supporting more than 100 artists. Every program is free. Your support makes that possible.
Ways To Give
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A one-time gift at any level supports exhibitions, BICA School, artist grants, and Cornelia Magazine. Every gift goes directly toward programming and operations.
BICA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 82-5084828
Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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Recurring gifts — even small ones — give BICA reliable support to plan programs and pay artists throughout the year.
Set up a monthly gift and you can adjust or cancel at any time.
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BICA accepts gifts made through donor advised funds. Recommend a grant to:
The Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art 30D Essex Street, Buffalo, NY 14213
EIN: 82-5084828Many donor-advised funds support recurring annual grants. Contact us if you'd like help facilitating your gift: emily@thebica.org
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Many employers will match charitable gifts — sometimes doubling or tripling the value of your contribution. Check with your HR department to find out if your company participates.
If your employer requires documentation, contact us at emily@thebica.org and we'll provide what you need.
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A planned gift is one of the most meaningful ways to invest in BICA's future. By including BICA in your estate plans, you help sustain the programs, artists, and cultural infrastructure that make Buffalo a place where creative life can take root and continue.
Bequest The simplest way to give. A few sentences in your will or trust are all that's required.
Sample language: "I give [dollar amount/percentage/description of property] to the Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art, EIN: 82-5084828, located at 30D Essex Street, Buffalo, NY 14213, for its general use and purposes."
Retirement Plan Assets Designate BICA as a full or partial beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement account. Contact your plan administrator for a beneficiary designation form.
Life Insurance Name BICA as a beneficiary on an existing or new policy.
Charitable Remainder Trust This arrangement provides income to you during your lifetime, with the remainder passing to BICA. An attorney or financial planner can help you determine if this is right for your situation.
We recommend consulting an attorney or financial advisor about which option best fits your plans. If you've already included BICA in your estate, we'd love to know — it helps us recognize your support and plan for the future.
To discuss a planned gift, contact Emily Reynolds at emily@thebica.org.
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Businesses and foundations that support BICA invest in Buffalo's cultural future. Sponsorship opportunities include exhibitions, BICA School programs, Cornelia Magazine, and the Generator Fund.
Partners receive recognition in print and online materials, invitations to exhibition openings and special events, and the opportunity to connect with artists, curators, and engaged audiences across Western New York.
To learn about current opportunities, contact Emily Reynolds at emily@thebica.org.
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BICA's gallery and courtyard at the Essex Street Arts Center are available for private event rentals outside of public hours. The space is well suited for receptions, happy hours, lectures, parties, and even weddings.
For rental inquiries, contact Emily Reynolds at emily@thebica.org.
Questions about giving? Contact us at emily@thebica.org.