Growth in arts partnerships

The number of industry sectors involved in arts partnerships grew during the past year, with eight joint ventures across mining, banking and professional services acknowledged at the Australia Business Arts Foundation Awards in WA this week.

While resources companies still feature strongly, small to medium companies are lifting their involvement, with two awards won by branches of the Bendigo Bank.

Awesome Arts Australia and BHP Billiton Nickel West won the QantasLink Regional Award for BHP's support of the Awesome International Youth Arts Festival, which brings hands-on arts experiences to regional communities.

Declan Hoare and cultural think-tank FORM won the KPMG adviceBank Award for business advisers who volunteer with arts organisations.

Anglogold Ashanti Australia, Carey Mining, Downer EDI, Curtin University of Technology, and the Art Gallery of WA won the Marsh Partnering Award for the indigenous curatorial internship. The three-year employment and mentoring program tailors education programs to indigenous young people to provide employment and educational opportunities.

Fremantle Community Bank (registered branch of the Bendigo Bank) and the Film and Television Institute of WA won the National Australia Bank SME Award. The partners raised funds to establish the new Bohemia Outdoor Cinema in Fremantle.

The Halls Head registered branch of the Bendigo Bank and Mandurah Performing Arts Centre won the Toyota Community Award for their partnership.

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra won the AbaF Giving Award for the second year in a row. In three years, Waso's Patrons program has doubled donations and attracted long-term donors.

Two WA partnerships were also announced as finalists in national-only categories.

WASAO and Ernst & Young are finalists in the Bytecraft Entertainment Commitment Award for their 13-year partnership, while Black Swan Theatre Company and Rio Tinto are finalists in the Bytecraft Entertainment Commitment Award for their 10-year partnership, which has provided support to productions in Perth and regional tours by Black Swan.