Globe & Mail Business for the Arts Awards – 2007 Winners

Best Arts / Entrepreneur Partnership

Award-Winning Partnerships with the Arts

The business: Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel is located in downtown Vancouver's Historic Yaletown district. It offers one and two bedroom suites with kitchens, for the price of a conventional hotel room. Already a supporter of the arts community, the hotel recently demonstrated exceptional support of Pacific Theatre, for which it was awarded The Globe & Mail Business for the Arts Award Best Arts / Entrepreneur Partnership.

The arts org: Pacific Theatre was founded in Vancouver in 1984 by a group of actors who wanted to establish a non-propagandist professional theatre where they would be free to explore work having particular meaning to them as Christians. Since then, the company has worked with many Vancouver theatre artists, regardless of their faith orientation, mounting productions of established works as well as premiering new plays. Pacific Theatre works through its mainstage theatre, as well as with schools, churches and community organizations presenting plays which address social, spiritual and ethical values.

While operating a fully professional mainstage the theatre is also community based and offers non-professional community members opportunities to work along side theatre professionals in its community shows. The Theatre has received 75 nominations for Vancouver's Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards, resulting in many awards.

The partnership: Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel approached Pacific Theatre in order to champion an organization that combines professional theatrical events with thought-provoking discussions. The outcome of this initial contact has been tremendous. Accommodation at the Hotel is provided for free for Pacific Theatre artists, and at a discounted rate for Theatre patrons during the Christmas holidays. Sponsorship was also provided for the 2007 Writers' Workshop, facilitated by Pacific Theatre and attended by playwrights from across North America. And finally, financial support of the Theatre contributes to the ongoing operation of this not-for-profit organization. The Theatre, in turn, includes advertising space of the Hotel in their programs and brochures.

The outcome: A mutually beneficial partnership of business and art!

Congratulations to Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel on winning the Globe & Mail Business for the Arts Award for Best Arts / Entrepreneur Partnership.