A theatre ensemble and a community development program in the Pilbara were the two WA-based partnerships recognised at the Australian Business Arts Foundation's national awards, hosted in Sydney last week.
RAC Group and Black Swan Theatre Company won the Australia Council Young and Emerging Artist Award for their partnership, where RAC sponsors Black Swan's Hotbed Ensemble.
The program supports young and recently graduated actors, designers and stage managers; RAC's contribution pays the wages of the ensemble, ensuring Black Swan can retain its young theatre makers.
Arts development and advocacy group FORM and BHP Billiton won the Bytecraft Entertainment Commitment Award for a partnership that has delivered creative community development throughout the Pilbara.
The seven-year multi-million dollar partnership has provided new infrastructure and community arts activities in towns and regions such as Newman, Port Hedland, Roebourne, the Western Desert and Canning Stock Route country.
"I am delighted to see national recognition for two partnerships that are strengthening the cultural fabric of this state," director AbaF WA Henry Boston said.
New South Wales arts group Renew Newcastle and the GPT Group won the top gong - AbaF Partnership of the Year Award and Toyota Community Award for their partnership while the SME award was won by Tasmanian partnership between Australian Festival of Voices and Green Team Australia and Envelope Group.
