‘Arts Connecting Communities’ program launch 

A inspirational business event hosted by the City of Swan and co-hosted with the Malaga & Districts Business Association, in conjunction with the Australia Business Arts Foundation and

other partners has implemented the ‘Arts Connecting Communities’ program to foster partnerships between Malaga businesses and the City’s vibrant local arts community, held at Sandalford Wines.

World renowned business person and patron of the arts – Janet Holmes à Court - the keynote speaker, along with members of the Malaga business community highlighted practical ways business can be enhanced through arts-business partnerships.

Mrs Holmes à Court suggested there were at least four main ways in which business-arts partnerships are good for the arts.

Money: Arts companies obviously need money to pay for shows, exhibitions, tours, salaries etc. Financial support form the private sector is a vital addition to monies from the public purse. When financial support is long-term, it enables a cultural organization to plan for the future with some certainty.

In-Kind: Relevant in-kind support can be just as useful as money for an arts organization.

An example of this is:
Sandalford Wines, was one of the 2005 finalists from WA as a partner of WA Symphony Orchestra, in staging special events with the orchestra at the winery. This allowed the Orchestra to attract artists such as Dionne Warwick to sing in a magical setting to sell out crowds, and it brought many branding, marketing and sales benefits to Sandalford.

Expertise: Many arts organisations don’t have the budget to bring in expensive corporate consultants, ie, business planning, human resources etc. A corporate partner can supply knowledge and advice that helps the organization spend their marginal money on their art.

Business: Many businesses are finding that partnering the arts is a great way to address various business challenges through branding and reputation, small business niche marketing, staff development and creativity and trade links.

All of these things assist the arts to achieve sustainability – essential for them to go on doing what they do, which is to create the art.

Picture One -

Patron of the Arts, Mrs Janet Holmes à Court and President of the Malaga & Districts Business Association, Mr Rod Henderson 

Picture Two -

Mrs Janet Holmes à Court.

Photos: Courtesy of Sandalford Wines. 

WHAT'S NEW? 

WA Premier's Arts Partnership Fund - This new fund makes it easy for small-to-medium businesses to partner the arts. We match the cash commitment (from $1000 to $10000) of an SME to an arts organisation - doubling the value of the partnership.

© 2012