For immediate release:

AN ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD OF BUSINESS AND ARTS LEADERS GATHERS TO CELEBRATE THE WINNERS OF THE GLOBE AND MAIL BUSINESS FOR THE ARTS AWARDS

October 17, 2006

The CBAC's Annual Awards Gala was a standing room only event last night, celebrated at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Winners came from all across Canada with stories of unique partnerships, long-standing relationships and creative marketing initiatives.

Nominated by Necessary Angel Theatre Company of Toronto, BMO Financial Group won the award for Most Effective Corporate Program. In reading the citation, Billie Bridgman, CEO of CBAC, made it clear that with this award the jury was recognizing not only a long standing relationship between BMO and Necessary Angel but also the bank's more than fifty years of support for Canadian culture and artists all across the country. President and CEO, Tony Comper, expressed both his personal and his company's strong belief in the role culture plays in all Canadian's lives and in the benefits which we all derive from being a part of that creativity.

The Arts Club Theatre's nomination of Vancouver Trolley Company for Most Innovative Marketing Partnership described an in-kind relationship which offers distinct, measurable benefits to both parties. The Stanley Theatre does have room for entertaining space so, for the Arts Club Theatre's galas, patrons must move from reception to theatre and back to reception. The Vancouver Trolley Company's fleet of San Francisco style trolley cars offered just the right blend of class and fun to make that to and fro not only simple but enjoyable. Arts Club Theatre solved its transport problem and Vancouver Trolley Company showed its support while being introduced to many new potential clients. Win win.

Vancity, winner of the Best Arts/Entrepreneur Partnership, is a credit union whose members each year vote on their annual $1 million community award. In 2002, those members recognized the renovation of the Vancouver East Cultural Centre as the project which most clearly served their community's social, environmental and economic needs, giving the VECC the risk capital to begin that process. With that support, VECC has been able not only to do the costly feasibility for the project, but they are now well on their way to securing the $13.5 million to realize their dream. Vancity, and their thousands of members, were the "entrepreneurs" which made it possible.

This year the CBAC introduced a new Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Award – The First Dance. This award recognizes a business which has entered into its first arts partnership, something which for many businesses would be a new and risky idea. The First Dance recognizes and celebrates the courage to take the first "step" and the winner for 2006 is Grant Thornton LLP. Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada was a brand new company five years ago and the only professional dance company in Atlantic Canada. It was a risky project from the start but when Grant Thornton stepped up with an initial commitment of $200,000, they were on their way. Grant Thornton had no history of supporting the arts but, looking back, they know this is the best investment they ever made. They lead the effort to build support. They host the annual gala which is now the hottest ticket in town. They talk about their relationship with this kind of "risk" to build their entrepreneurial business client base. They built a business marketing focus around what is now a community icon – and – they have stepped up for another five years. A very successful First Dance

Three other companies were recognized with Awards of Distinction:

Enbridge (Most Effective Corporate Program) for its long-standing support of Alberta Theatre Projects
Telus (Most Effective Corporate Program) for its leadership in developing the e-learning capability for the Royal Conservatory of Music's Learning Through the Arts, as well as its lead support of their $95million Building National Dreams campaign
Nereus Financial (The First Dance) for their deeply personal involvement and financial support of the Writers' Trust

The evening culminated with a celebration of Michael Koerner – the 2006 winner of the Edmund C. Bovey Award.

For more information:
Billie Bridgman
CBAC : (416) 869-3016 x224
e-Mail: b_bridgman@businessforarts.org
Web: www.businessforarts.org