The winners of the annual Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Awards in Queensland were announced on 9 September 2009 at the Brisbane Powerhouse. View photos of winners here.
 
The AbaF Awards honour the best relationships between business and the arts in the areas of partnering, volunteering and giving.
 
Director AbaF-Queensland Sue Fisher said: "Business support for the arts continues to be strong in Queensland. The partnerships honoured in the AbaF Awards in Queensland demonstrate creativity and community engagement, while making an important contribution to the cultural life of the state."

MARSH PARTNERING AWARD WINNER:
URS Australia & Queensland Theatre Company
Queensland Theatre Company and URS, a global engineering and environmental services firm, embarked on achieving Queensland's first 'Green Theatre' by working together to create a carbon neutral production of The Importance of Being Earnest.

ABAF BUSINESS VOLUNTEERING AWARD WINNER:
Michael Fisher, ANZ Banking Group & Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts
In the midst of a period of transition, the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts turned to Michael Fisher for his expertise to help reinvigorate their strategic planning process.

QANTASLINK REGIONAL AWARD WINNER:
Ergon Energy & Queensland Arts Council
Power Trip: the adventures of Watty and Volt is a special theatrical production for the Ontour Inschools program, which uses energetic performances and learning resources to educate kids about safe use of electricity.

TOYOTA COMMUNITY AWARD WINNER:
QR Passenger Pty Ltd & Norman Park State School
Norman Park Primary School and QR Passenger Pty Ltd partnered to give students access to art training with professional artists in the process of creating a quality community mural at a run-down station.

ABAF SME AWARD WINNER:
HLB Mann Judd & Brisbane Cabaret Festival
The HLB Mann Judd Brisbane Cabaret Festival has seen significant expansion since 2007. As naming rights sponsor, HLB Mann Judd continues to enjoy special hospitality and marketing opportunities that grow the firm's profile.

The following partnership was a finalist in a national-only category:
AUSTRALIA COUNCIL YOUNG AND EMERGING ARTISTS AWARD - NATIONAL FINALIST
Brisbane Airports Corporation & Institute of Modern Art
The Institute of Modern Art and Brisbane Airport Corporation have partnered to reinvigorate the annual New Fresh Cut exhibition and boost career opportunities for emerging artists.

All the partnerships mentioned above will go on to the national AbaF Awards finals on 15 October 2009.
 
Contacts:
Nick Gadd, AbaF Communications manager 03 9616 0308 / 0425 862 119
Sue Fisher, Director AbaF - Queensland 07 3220 1468 / 0402 367 263