Thoma Thoma

In recognition of its long-term commitment to the arts, Thoma Thoma received the 2011 Corporate Sponsorship of the Arts Award at the annual Governor’s Arts Awards ceremony Tuesday, Oct. 18. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Society and Wildwood Park for the Arts co-nominated Thoma Thoma for the award. Coordinated by the Arkansas Arts Council, the Governor’s Arts Awards program recognizes individuals and corporations for their support of the arts in Arkansas.

“Thoma Thoma has been invaluable to us and the arts community in general over the years with pro bono services, leadership, and support,” says Christina Littlejohn, Executive Director of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Society. “We’re thrilled that we could play a part in honoring Thoma Thoma for all that they do for the arts.”

Thoma Thoma is a Little Rock-based brand development and marketing firm, which over the past 20+ years has generously contributed monetary gifts, time and resources to Wildwood Park for the Arts, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, UALR Friends of the Arts, the Museum of Discovery, THEA Foundation and the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions in Little Rock.

“All of us in the arts community know what makes a unique and rich corporate partnership is the depth and diversity of the organization’s commitment,” says Cliff Baker, Director of Wildwood Park for the Arts. “The team at Thoma Thoma does everything it can to support the arts – from brand management and building marketing tools to board leadership and rolling up their sleeves to volunteer at festivals and special events. Wildwood is a living example of Thoma Thoma’s dedication to the community. Thoma Thoma has donated approximately a quarter million dollars in in-kind marketing services and time to Wildwood Park alone.”

Martin and Melissa Thoma, the co-founders and principals at Thoma Thoma, are not only patrons and “hands on” volunteers, but Martin also serves as the chairman of the Arkansas Symphony’s board of directors, while Melissa, a professional singer, is president of the Wildwood Park board of trustees. Thoma Thoma has contributed volunteer time, mentored young artists, created initiatives to fund scholarships and donated design services and marketing skills.

Corporate philanthropy at Thoma Thoma is the result of an intentional, annual plan that springs from the giving principles of the company’s founders. The firm devotes approximately five percent of its net revenue to an annual pro bono budget. Over the life of the company, Thoma Thoma estimates that it has contributed in excess of $1 million in pro bono services to Arkansas charities and nonprofits.

In addition to arts organizations, Thoma Thoma has helped many charities and nonprofits in the state including the Arkansas Foodbank, Arkansas Rice Depot, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish, March of Dimes, 20th Century Club’s Lodge, Race For the Cure, and the Union Rescue Mission.

The Governor’s Arts Award honor comes on the heels of recognition from The Arkansas Community Foundation, which honored Thoma Thoma as the Outstanding Philanthropic Business of the Year at the Arkansas Business of the Year awards in 2010.