EMBARGO TILL FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER 2009
Tasmanians win two national business-arts awards
For the first time, two Tasmanian arts organisations and a Tasmanian business have won
national honours at the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Awards, presented in
Brisbane on the evening of Thursday 15 October.
The Awards were presented at Brisbane City Hall before an audience of 700 leaders of
business and the arts, including Minister for the Arts Peter Garrett.
Tasmanian Regional Arts and RACT Insurance won the City of Brisbane Encouragement
Award, for a partnership where the business is making its first commitment to the arts. They
won for The Tasmanian Youth Portraiture Prize which engages young and emerging artists
through a portrait competition and exhibition toured throughout the state.
The judges said: “We are amazed that it was possible to activate this project across the
state so effectively. This partnership has resulted in compelling outcomes that stimulated
community and ownership.”
The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra won the AbaF Giving Award. This award recognises
arts organisations that have developed successful giving campaigns. From a standing start,
the TSO has developed a valuable patrons program, consisting of devoted music-lovers who
provide donations to the TSO.
The judges said: “This is an intimate and comprehensive program that is well related to the
size of the Tasmanian market and the expectation of its donors. The program offers a wide
variety of donor benefits, and TSO staff work hard and very professionally to grow in a
restricted market. It has experienced strong financial growth; from humble beginnings it has
become self-generating. Bravo!”
All the winners are listed on the next page. Photos can be downloaded from
Media contact: Jane MacFarlane, Director AbaF – Tasmania 0421 744 218.
MORE NEXT PAGE
National winners of AbaF Awards – summary
AbaF Partnership of the Year: Bangarra Dance Theatre and Boral Limited
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Arts Business Leadership Award: Robyn Archer AO
.
Richard Pratt Business Arts Leadership Award: Kerry Stokes AC
Goldman Sachs JBWere Philanthropy Leadership Award: Philip Bacon AM
AbaF Giving Award: Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
City of Brisbane Encouragement Award: Tasmanian Regional Arts and RACT Insurance
Bytecraft Entertainment Commitment Award: Company B Belvoir and Optus.
Marsh Partnering Award: Bangarra Dance Theatre and Boral Limited
AbaF Business Volunteering Award: Gondwana Choirs and Brent Duffy, Maximus
International
Toyota Community Award: DADAA (Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the Arts
Australia) City of Swan and Midland Redevelopment Authority.
Australia Council Young and Emerging Artist Award: City of Swan and Midland Gate.
QantasLink Regional Award: Michael Leslie Foundation for the Arts and Rio Tinto.
AbaF SME Award: Bendigo Youth Choir and Bendigo Community Telco
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