Successful relationships between the arts, business and donors take the spotlight in The Gold Book 2009 published by the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF).

The Gold Book includes 40 case studies of arts and business partnerships from around Australia, ranging from community choirs to internationally renowned performing arts companies, from film projects in shopping centres to remote outback towns, from art museums to rugby league clubs.

AbaF CEO Jane Haley said: "I'm proud of the breadth of partnerships showcased in The Gold Book. They reinforce the importance of the support AbaF provides, in particular, to the small and medium arts and business sectors.

"AbaF's Gold Book is an essential guide for anyone involved in partnerships and sponsorships, whether in the arts or business. It is full of practical ideas that can be applied to diverse projects," Ms Haley said.

Top billing goes to Bangarra Dance Theatre and Boral Limited, AbaF's 2009 Partnership of the Year. Through their partnership Boral provides cash to enable Bangarra to develop new works. Bangarra tours to sites in regional Australia where Boral has operations, so that company's employees and their families can enjoy Bangarra's unique fusion of Indigenous culture and contemporary dance.

All the AbaF Award-winning state and national partnerships are described in detail, with salient facts and an explanation of how the partners made their relationship work.

Chanteuse, director and arts advocate Robyn Archer AO is profiled as AbaF's Dame Elisabeth Murdoch cultural leader acknowledging decades of work promoting the arts and building business relationships with the arts.

Businessman Kerry Stokes AC is honoured as the Richard Pratt business arts leader of the year for his exemplary work to increase support for the arts, especially in Western Australia.

Brisbane gallery owner Philip Bacon AM is honoured with the Goldman Sachs JBWere philanthropy leadership award for his consummate role as a benefactor for a host of arts organisations.

The book is free and can be requested by emailing info@abaf.org.au.

Media contact: Nick Gadd, AbaF communications manager 0425 862 119