View photos of the winners here

Five of the best private sector business-arts relationships that contribute to the support of the arts were honoured at the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Awards in South Australia.

The AbaF Awards were presented at a gala night in Adelaide, Tuesday, 8 September 2009, that also hosted the Annual Ruby Awards - South Australia's Arts and Cultural Awards.  The Awards were held at the Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre.

The Australia Business Arts Foundation Awards - South Australian State Awards recognise the very best in private sector-arts relationships in South Australia.

AbaF Director SA/NT, Ms Susan Benham-Page said it was the most innovative and beneficial and best-fit business-arts partnerships that produce results for the business and the arts partner.

"In a year which has seen the Global Financial Crisis impact heavily on business we are still seeing good business-arts outcomes and these winners are first-class examples of the reasons why business-arts relationships are important," Ms Benham-Page said.

The winners were:

QANTASLINK REGIONAL AWARD
Babcock & Brown Power & Country Arts SA for bringing the arts to everyone through support of a sustained program of arts events and activities for the Port Augusta region under the banner 'Port Augusta Re-imagines!'

MARSH PARTNERING AWARD
Santos & Adelaide Symphony Orchestra for a ten year commitment to a partnership that brings to South Australians the free open-air concert, Santos Symphony Under the Stars and a new sponsorship commitment of $1 million over the next three-years.

ABAF SME AWARD
Coopers Brewery & Ausmusic SA for support of a professional development program for contemporary musicians, focussing on marketing and promotion. The project, Cooper's Alive is so successful, both partners have committed to extend the series until at least 2010.

TOYOTA COMMUNITY AWARD
SA Lotteries & Adelaide Symphony Orchestra for bringing the arts to people who are ill - helping patients to relax and reducing their anxiety and stress.   SA Lotteries Symphony Sessions is an annual program of ten special ensemble performances for patients at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, sponsored by SA Lotteries.

ABAF GIVING AWARD
Tracks Dance and Lajamanu Management Committee for a strong, long-term relationship that results in the Milpirri Festival for people in the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory. 

With a strong roster of donors, funding bodies and sponsors, including the Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund there is support the next three Milpirri Festivals.

For information on the South Australian Awards contact:

Media Officer, Kerrynne Liddle, (m) 041 981 8406

AbaF Director SA/NT, Ms Susan Benham Page (m) 0405 322 148

A selection of photographs is available for your use. Additionally, the Awards night after party is a chance to photograph some of the people behind some of SA's most dynamic and successful arts and business organisations.

PROFILE OF WINNERS:

QANTASLINK REGIONAL AWARD
Babcock & Brown Power & Country Arts SA
This sustained program of arts events has made a big difference to the Port Augusta community. In 2008, the community came together in their thousands to enjoy a year-long program of performances, exhibitions and workshops by South Australia's leading arts organisations under the banner 'Port Augusta Re-imagines!'

Over the whole year there were 30,000 attendances at a range of events. This concentration of cultural activity was masterminded by Country Arts SA through its inaugural Regional Centre of Culture Program (RCCP).
Babcock & Brown Power, operators of the power station, committed to a major cash sponsorship. The company sees the value of cultural opportunities that improve the quality of life of its employees. BBP's support of the program has enhanced its reputation as a key corporate citizen.

MARSH PARTNERING AWARD
Santos & Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
2009 marks the tenth year of collaboration between Adelaide-based oil and gas company Santos and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO). Santos's financial contribution totals more than $2.5 million, making it by far the orchestra's largest private sector supporter. This has been crucial in securing the ASO's financial security, helping it to perform more than 100 times every year.
The centrepiece of its community program is a free open-air concert, Santos Symphony Under the Stars in Elder Park, which attracts an audience of 25,000 people every year. In 2009, the partnership was renewed at an increased value of $1 million over the next three-years.

ABAF SME AWARD
Coopers Brewery & Ausmusic SA
Cooper's Alive is a professional development program for contemporary musicians, focussing on marketing and promotion. The brainchild of Ausmusic SA, and sponsored by Coopers Brewery, it ran for the first time in 2008. Twelve South Australian bands developed their marketing and promotional skills, experience of live shows and public exposure.

The project is a perfect fit for Coopers in brand and target audience. Coopers' investment was matched by the SA Premier's Arts Partnership Fund, an AbaF initiative. Both partners have committed to extend the series until at least 2010.

TOYOTA COMMUNITY AWARD
SA Lotteries & Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
SA Lotteries Symphony Sessions is an annual program of ten special ensemble performances for patients at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, sponsored by SA Lotteries. Musicians from Adelaide Symphony Orchestra have performed 33 times in the hospital over four years, reaching more than 8,000 people across all hospital wards.

Orchestral music has become an integral part of hospital life, helping patients to relax, reducing their anxiety and stress, and bringing a kind of chemical-free pain relief.

ABAF GIVING AWARD
Tracks Dance and Lajamanu Management Committee
The Milpirri festival is one of Australia's most exciting Indigenous ventures. Milpirri resulted from a long-term collaboration between Tracks Dance and the Lajamanu community in the Tanami Desert. This festival assists young Warlpiri to connect with their elders and rediscover their culture. It has also improved school attendance and educational outcomes.

To fund future events, the Lajamanu management committee has built a strong roster of donors, funding bodies and sponsors, including the Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund. This will support the next three Milpirri festivals.hhh