New Guide to Build Business Support for the Arts
21 September 2006 at 1:09 pm
The Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) has published a new guide aimed at securing greater business support for the arts, at a time when arts organisations face increasing competition for funding.
Securing Successful Partnerships, published with support from the Macquarie Bank Foundation, was launched by the Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, in Sydney recently.
The first guide written for both the business and arts sectors on how to build successful partnerships, it showcases best practice partnerships and provides practical hands-on advice.
Senator Kemp said that art and cultural institutions have for many years faced the challenges of attracting private and corporate support but there is now little doubt this support in Australia is gaining momentum.
He congratulated AbaF for developing the guide which he said builds on the tools available to help bring the two together to form successful partnerships.
AbaF CEO Kathy Keele said that while business support for the arts had risen from 4.8 per cent of all business giving to 9.3 per cent in the six years since AbaF was established, new initiatives were needed to maintain this momentum.
She said AbaF has noticed increasing competition among arts organisations for business partners, with many small and medium arts organisations entering business partnerships for the first time.
She said the guide aims to bring the arts and business sectors together, enhance their understanding of each other and help them build successful partnerships together for the benefit of the general community.
Macquarie Bank Foundation Chairman David Clarke said Securing Successful Partnerships was a practical guide for both the arts and business sectors on building workable partnerships together.
He said it distils the experience accrued over many years by Australia’s leading arts organisations and their partners in business and is essential reading for anyone embarking on a business arts partnership.
Securing Successful Partnerships is targeted at arts managers charged with securing partnerships and business people in the fields of marketing, community relations, public affairs and human resources.
It accompanies nationwide AbaF workshops for the arts and cultural sector and is available from AbaF, price $35. Visit www.abaf.org.au for more details.
