Globe & Mail Business for the Arts Awards – 2008 Winners

EIGHT CANADIAN COMPANIES CELEBRATED WITH A GLOBE AND MAIL BUSINESS FOR THE ARTS AWARD, FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARTS

The Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Awards recognize companies that show outstanding commitment to the arts in Canada. These companies know the extraordinary impact the arts can make in Canadian communities: sparking creativity in children, providing jobs, drawing tourists, ensuring the vitality of urban centre, and providing new ways of seeing ourselves as Canadians. The purpose of these awards is to honour the contribution these companies make through their partnerships.

Scotiabank, nominated by Scotiabank Nuit Blanche has won for Best Arts/ Entrepreneur Partnership. Mayor David Miller remarked that "Scotiabank Nuit Blanche set a new benchmark in city-building – demonstrating the power that exists in partnerships between the City and the artistic and corporate communities for the benefit of our citizens." It is also noted that in the arts community that "Scotiabank Nuit Blanche galvanizes participants from all generations, cultures and walks of life into an energetic romp through neighborhoods, events and cultural organizations that is unprecedented in this city."- Sara Diamond, President OCAD. Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is Toronto’s only, 12 hour contemporary art event with a mandate to make contemporary art accessible to large audiences, while inspiring dialogue and engaging the public to examine its significance and impact on public space.

Sun Life Financial, nominated by The National Arts Centre has won for Most Efective Corporate Program. "Since 2000, the National Arts Centre (NAC) and Sun Life Financial have nurtured a mutually beneficial partnership…The NAC’s national mandate and position as a leader and innovator in multiple fields of the performing arts allows Sun Life to provide comprehensive and wide reaching support; enriching Canada culturally and making a contribution to the health of our country as well… Sun Life’s investment in the arts through its leadership role in the NAC Gala, National Youth and Education Trust and Roundtable has given the NAC the means to provide meaningful outreach with a lasting impact on the lives of children across Canada" Darell L. Gregersen, CEO, NAC Foundation

L’Oréal, nominated by Luminato has won for Most Innovative Marketing Sponsorship. "With an international portfolio of creative and innovative brands, L’Oréal is truly Luminato’s ideal partner in creativity," said Mr. Tony Gagliano. “Uniquely set in the world’s most culturally diverse city, Luminato aspires to be the definitive arts festival in North America and help showcase Toronto in a powerful new way. L’Oréal recognized this potential immediately," said Mr. David Pecault. Javier San Juan, L’Oréal Canada’s President and CEO, explained that “of paramount importance to L’Oréal is the opportunity to create a daily environment where creativity is celebrated and trail-blazing ideas nurtured and allowed to flourish."

North American Development Group, nominated by Talk is Free Theatre has won The First Dance Award. recognizes a business which has entered into a partnership with the arts for the first time. "North American, through Park Place project, not only supported Talk is Free Theatre in every qualifying aspect of the this award, but did so whole-heartedly… (granting) Talk is Free Theatre with three full seasons rent and utility free… allowing the theatre to concentrate on artistic growth… fortifying a bond between a corporation rich in resources and an organization dedicated to the arts and community. It is a prime example of how symbiotic sponsorship can become". – Arkady Spivak, Artistic Producer, Talk is Free Theatre

Each of the four winners will receive a Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Award, created by sculptor Nobuo Kubota, at the Business for the Arts Awards Gala on October 20th at The Carlu In Toronto. The evening will also include a celebration of Henry N.R. Jackman as the 2008 Edmund C. Bovey Award winner and Claudia Moore as the first 2008 Arnold Edinborough Award winner.

Members of the Jury for the 2008 Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Awards were: Andrew Gorham (Review Editor, The Globe and Mail), Jim Jennings (Associate Publisher British Columbia, The Globe and Mail), Nina Kaiden Wright (Director, Business for the Arts), Peter Kahnert (Senior Vice President Corporate Communications & Marketing Raymond James), David Moss (Managing Director, Segal Centre) and Penny Ritco (Executive Director, Citadel Theatre)