Corporate Sponsorship
Alice began her career in the museum world, working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Federation of Arts, and soon moved to the private sector, where she pioneered sponsorship marketing in the United States.
Working for 20 years as Director, Worldwide Cultural Affairs at The Chase Manhattan Bank, Alice created the first cultural sponsorship program in a bank. She used the arts to brand Chase in 14 countries and 20 US cities – generating over $2 billion in new business.
Photography Collector
Alice is well recognized and well regarded by fellow collectors, art dealers, auction house specialists and museum curators around the world.
Alice is Chair, Photography Collections Committee, Harvard Art Museums; board member, Magnum Foundation; member, International Center of Photography’s (ICP) Acquisitions Committee; and involved with Friends Without a Border, an annual photo auction to benefit the Angkor Hospital for Children in Cambodia.
She has been instrumental in expanding the field. There are few classes on how to collect photography in the United States, and Alice has become the “guru”. She lectures regularly at ICP, Camera Club of New York as well as museums and schools across the United States.
Affiliations
| Chair | Photography Collections Committee, Harvard Art Museums |
| Board Member | Magnum Foundation |
| Acquisitions Committee | International Center of Photography |
| Member | Friends Without a Border (auction committee to benefit the Angkor Hospital for Children, Cambodia); ArtTable (national organization of senior women in the visual arts); Women in Development; American Alliance of Museums |
| Adjunct Professor | New York University, Steinhardt School of Education |
| Faculty | Camera Club of New York; International Center of Photography |
| Former Member | American Association of Museums’ Task Force on Corporate Giving |
Awards/Recognition
- Collector Profile February 2014, Art+Auction
- American Association of Museums’ “Medal for Distinguished Philanthropy”
- Dewar’s Scotch “New York Do-er’s Award” as “one of 50 who provide leadership to the community”
- American PHOTO Magazine as “one of the 100 most important people in photography”
- Featured in Crain’s New York Business, Journal of Financial Advertising and Marketing, the Wall Street Journal and several international publications
- Only foreigner to write for prestigious French banking magazine, Revue Banque, ‘How Do American Banks Use the Arts as a Business Tool?’
For more, view press page.
Education
- M.A., Art History – New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts
- B.A., Art History – Syracuse University
- Sorbonne University – Paris (fluent in French)
Interview
A pint-sized fireball.
Why do clients like you?
My enthusiasm and energy makes things happen. And, I like to have fun.
What do you do really well?
I’m a “fundraising therapist” for the art world. And, a “strategic matchmaker” for business. And, as a pioneer photography collector, I love to empower others how to buy smartly!
What makes you unique as a Corporate Sponsorship consultant?
I’ve worked in both the nonprofit and for-profit worlds. Second, while at Chase, I was able to do good in the community – and generate millions of dollars using the arts as a marketing tool. Finally, I’m a corporate “insider” who’s read thousands of proposals and managed millions of donor dollars.
What are your best skills?
I’m a comfortable public speaker who can motivate a crowd.
How do you generate business using arts?
Creatively! One event cost less than $25,000 and generated $20 million in new assets under management from 16 prospects in 10 weeks. Not a bad return!
What’s your #1 tip about collecting photography today?
Buy with your heart and your head, and not with your ears. Learn everything you can about what you love before you buy it.
You’re on a desert island. What single song would you bring?
Rolling Stones “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
Give me a proud moment, or two.
For the US Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, I secured Gucci as the first non-American sponsor. I repackaged the materials and negotiated a six figure deal where Gucci won accolades in the press and for its VIP client events.
American Photo Magazine voted me #68 of the “100 most important people in photography in the United States.” Princess Diana was #1 — but I beat Richard Gere who ranked #100.
Finally, I Chair the Photography Collections Committee of the Harvard Art Museums. I’m most proud of that.
What can’t you live without?
Frequent flier miles.
Alice Sachs Zimet
© Gilles Descamps