“We hope it becomes a space where the Lehigh Valley community gathers across the boundaries that usually separate them: industries, generations, backgrounds.”
– Kelly Chando, Chief of Staff at BSI Corporate Benefits
For BSI Corporate Benefits, supporting ArtsQuest has never been about putting a name on a building. It’s about investing in the people, places and relationships that make the Lehigh Valley a stronger community. That commitment stretches back years, to when ArtsQuest quickly shifted its programming online during the COVID-19 pandemic. BSI became one of the first organizations to step forward as the presenting sponsor of ArtsQuest@Home, ensuring arts and cultural programming could continue reaching audiences during an uncertain time. What began as a professional collaboration has since grown into a partnership rooted in a shared belief that thriving communities are built through long-term investment, meaningful connections and showing up when it matters most.
Today, BSI’s support can be seen throughout the ArtsQuest campus. In addition to serving as ArtsQuest’s employee benefits consultant, BSI sponsors programming, hosts its annual CORE summit at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks and has committed to the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL through sponsorship of the fifth-floor hospitality space and the BSI Corporate Benefits Balcony. For BSI, that investment reflects more than confidence in a new building- it reflects confidence in the future of the Lehigh Valley.
“What the Re-Imagine That! Campaign represented, at its core, was a refusal to settle,” Kelly Chando, Chief of Staff at BSI Corporate Benefits said. “ArtsQuest could have patched together what it had. Instead, it chose to build something worthy of what this community deserves.”
That vision aligned naturally with BSI’s own philosophy. For BSI, community investment is not defined by one sponsorship, one donation or one project. It is measured by the lasting relationships built over time and the impact those relationships have on the people and organizations that call the Lehigh Valley home.
Founded by Tony DaRe and shaped by generations of Lehigh Valley values, BSI has long believed businesses have a responsibility to strengthen the communities that support them. That philosophy has led the company to partner with organizations across the region that serve people of all backgrounds, from arts and culture to education and human services. Rather than simply providing financial support, BSI seeks partnerships that allow it to become actively involved, helping organizations expand their reach and sustain their missions for years to come.
ArtsQuest embodies those same values, through 40 years of working to make the arts accessible to everyone through free concerts, educational programming, festivals and year-round cultural experiences. What began as a nonprofit dedicated to enriching lives through the arts has evolved into one of the region’s most influential community organizations, transforming Bethlehem’s SouthSide into a destination that welcomes residents and visitors alike.
The Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign presents an opportunity to do exactly that by conceptualizing a campus that would expand opportunities for artists, students and community members while preserving Bethlehem’s industrial heritage. The ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL represents the next chapter in that vision, creating new studios, classrooms, galleries and gathering spaces designed to inspire creativity for generations. As plans for the Creative Factory took shape, BSI recognized an opportunity to support a project whose impact would extend far beyond the walls of a new building. Rather than viewing the campaign simply as a capital project, the company saw it as an investment in the future of the Lehigh Valley, one that would expand educational opportunities and create spaces where new relationships could take root.
That commitment comes to life through the BSI Corporate Benefits Balcony and fifth-floor hospitality space, a welcoming gathering area overlooking SteelStacks and the former Bethlehem Steel site. More than a scenic overlook, the space was envisioned as a place where community members, business leaders, artists and visitors can come together, fostering the kind of conversations and connections that have long defined both BSI’s philosophy and ArtsQuest’s mission.
“A balcony overlooking SteelStacks is not a passive space. It is a gathering place designed for the kinds of conversations and connections that don’t happen at desks or in conference rooms. BSI has always believed that the best relationships are built in person, in spaces that invite people to slow down and be present. When we saw what the fifth floor could become for this community, the decision made itself,” Chando said.
Perched above SteelStacks, the BSI Corporate Benefits Balcony serves as a reminder of the city’s remarkable transformation, from an industrial powerhouse to a thriving center for arts, culture and community. For BSI, sponsoring the space represents an opportunity to honor that history while helping shape the next chapter, creating a place where people can gather, collaborate and build meaningful collaborations.
“We hope it becomes a space where the Lehigh Valley community gathers across the boundaries that usually separate them: industries, generations, backgrounds,” Chando shared. “ArtsQuest has always been that kind of place. The Creative Factory, and the balcony specifically, will expand that capacity considerably. BSI is proud to have our name on it.”
Looking ahead, BSI hopes its partnership with ArtsQuest will continue to demonstrate what is possible when organizations choose to invest in one another and in the communities they call home. Together, they are helping create a future where creativity, collaboration and connection remain at the heart of Bethlehem for generations to come.