5DO ARTISTIC ENDS BY CORPORATE MEANS M AdPlh on lour: Australian National Railways won an award last year for sponsoring MACH’Hi's connin' tour. John Fox and Jack Spratt in MA (i PIId s country tour.
The Business in the Arts Awards exist to recognise out standing examples of corporate support for the arts and thus encourage growth in sponsorship and other assistance. The Awards (sponsored by Mobil Australia) are now in their fourth year. What have they achieved? Are they worth the effort? It is hard to demonstrate the direct benefits of any award or prize — whether it be for the most efficient car or the best portrait. Yet, it is unarguable that competitions create public and media interest. They focus attention. A recent survey shows that corpo rate support of the major arts organisations in this country has grown tenfold during the last five years. The main recipients have been public galleries, festivals and opera companies. However, there is also an emerging trend to assist dance and theatre companies. In total corporate support now exceeds $10 million annually. Can the Business in the Arts Awards claim any credit? Maybe yes. At least they were working on the right cause at the right time. The Awards were the brainchild of A.R.T.S. Ltd — Arts Research Train ing and Support Ltd. This organisa tion was established in 1977 and exists 12
THEATRE AUSTRALIA NOVEMBER 1981
to bring private sector skills and resources to the arts. It does this in three ways: by carrying out manage ment consulting assignments for major arts organisations; running courses and publishing booklets on art management; and counselling arts organisations seeking support and corporations interested in providing it. The Awards were established to focus attention on this last activity. The Awards have certainly achieved some standing. His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Zelman Cowen, has presented them each year — in Sydney in 1978, Melbourne 1979, Adelaide 1980 and Sydney again this year. Brisbane is on the calendar for 1982. The Panel of Judges for the Awards, chaired by Mr S Baillieu Myer this year, has included people such as Professor Geoffrey Blainey, Sir Andrew Grimwade, Mr Kym Bonython, The Hon Gough Whitlam — all notable public figures with a commitment to the arts. Mr Myer comments "It is a pleasure to help this project and encouraging to see the growth of corporate interest in the arts". The 43 recipients of Awards and Honourable Mentions from the first three years represent a wide range of companies. Some are large like BHP, which supported a tour by the SGIO Theatre to remote parts of Queens land. Others are small like Emerald Trading Pty Ltd, which initiated the Castlemaine Festival in Victoria. A few are in heavy industry. For example, Sabemo Pty Ltd in Western Australia gives annual painting and sculpture awards for workers in the construction industry. Others are in the service sector. The State Savings Banks of South Australia has sup ported various South Australian Festi vals. Some companies are trans national. Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd sponsored performances by Pipi Storm Ltd in remand centres and other children's institutions. Many like A W Balderstone Pty Ltd, which helped the State Opera of South Australia, are local. A.R.T.S. Ltd has established four Award categories for 1982. First, previous recipients of Awards and Honourable Mentions will compete against each other in the "previous winner" category. The second category — open to those who have not previously been recognised — is for