HOME-GROWN actor Marcus Graham will go behind the scenes of business sponsorship later this year when he addresses a room full of Western Australia’s corporate arts supporters.
Mr Graham is keynote speaker for the 2003 State Arts Sponsorship Scheme Awards, which will be held in November.
Culture and the Arts Minister Sheila McHale launched the awards earlier this week and said WA businesses were strong supporters of the arts.
“WA is recognised as the national leader in business-arts partnership initiatives,” Ms McHale said.
She said the awards recognised the support many WA companies made to the arts community, which in turn had significant benefits for the local economy.
“Last year the award nominations represented more than $5.3 million in corporate support of the arts,” Ms McHale said.
“WA’s standing as the national leader in business-arts partnership initiatives is testament to the growing sophistication of our business-arts partnerships and an arts and cultural sector that makes a significant economic and social contribution to our State.”
Ms McHale said corporate sponsorship for the performing arts had doubled nationally in the five years to 2001 and WA had the strongest growth rate.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the State Arts Sponsorship Scheme Awards and three new categories have been added.
A 10th anniversary commemorative award for lifetime commitment to arts and culture in WA, community investment and arts development will join a swag of other awards to be presented.
Nominations close on August 11 2003 and nomination packs are available from the Department of Culture and the Arts or online at www.dca.wa.gov.au
