View photos of the winners here

Leading Tasmanian businesses and arts organizations are among the winners of the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Awards in Tasmania, announced on 3 September at Wrest Point.

The AbaF Awards honour the best relationships between business and the arts in the areas of partnering, volunteering and giving.

The Hon David Bartlett MP, Premier of Tasmania, will deliver a keynote address and present the AbaF Giving Award.

Director AbaF-Tasmania Jane MacFarlane said: "The Tasmanian partnerships honoured in the AbaF Awards demonstrate creativity and community engagement, while making an important contribution to the cultural life of the state."

The Tasmanian winners and national finalists will go on to the national AbaF Awards to be announced on 15 October in Brisbane. Winners are available for interview.

The winners are:

MARSH PARTNERING AWARD (for large businesses partnering the arts):
Ten Days on the Island & Telstra Countrywide
In return for widespread festival exposure, Telstra Countrywide provides ticketing technology solutions, and funds festival performances and presentations at venues around the state

TOYOTA COMMUNITY AWARD (for partnerships with a community focus):
Tasmanian Theatre Company & Aurora Energy
The Aurora Energy Community Enrichment Program increases theatre experiences for Tasmanian youth, has expanded employment for local theatre artists and boosted audiences for Tasmanian Theatre Company's professional program.

ABAF GIVING AWARD (for arts organisations with giving programs):
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra's patrons program has grown from a standing start to a significant source of revenue in just five years, and is growing in value every year. The program has cultivated a loyal group of chair sponsors and patrons, sharing a passion for the orchestra. 

 
ABAF SME AWARD (for small businesses partnering the arts):
Encore Theatre Company and ResCom Property and Finance Services
Both are new companies. As Encore's naming rights partner, ResCom built important links with the community and strengthened its profile in Northern Tasmania. Encore has increased opportunities for local theatre artists and grown its audiences.

The following partnerships is a finalist in a national-only category:
CITY OF BRISBANE ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD (for businesses making their first partnership with the arts)
NATIONAL FINALIST: Tasmanian Regional Arts and RACT Insurance
The Tasmanian Youth Portraiture Prize is a joint commitment by Tasmanian Regional Arts and RACT Insurance to engage young and emerging artists and provide quality access to the arts across the state. Employees from both TRA and RACTI were directly involved in staging a series of exhibitions throughout Tasmania that showcased and developed the talents of these young artists.

AbaF media contact: AbaF Director - Tasmania, Jane MacFarlane 03 6233 5934