Australia Business Arts Foundation
The Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) is an Australian organisation that promotes private sector support for the arts, in particular partnerships (and sponsorships), volunteering, and giving. AbaF is supported by the Government of Australia through the Department Of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
History
AbaF evolved from the Australia Foundation for Culture and the Humanities, established by the Government of Paul Keating in 1995. In August 2000, 50 business leaders attended the inaugural National Councillors Forum at which the Prime Minister the Hon. John Howard AC launched the Australia Business Arts Foundation.
Structure and personnel
AbaF is governed by a board, and has a council of over 70 leading companies. The chairman is Terry Campbell AO, and the CEO is Jane Haley. AbaF has a staff of 30, with a national office in Melbourne, and offices in each state and territory.
Programs
AbaF has three programs, partnering, volunteering, and giving.
AbaF's partnering program connects business with the arts through advice and networking opportunities. In South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, AbaF has partnered with state governments to operate Premier's Arts Partnership Funds that match the value of new business arts partnerships.
AbaF's volunteering program connects business volunteers with the arts. adviceBank matches business volunteers with the arts to work on specific projects. boardBank matches business volunteers with vacancies on arts boards.
AbaF's giving program works with donors and artists to promote giving to the arts.
Professional development
AbaF has a professional development program of workshops for arts professionals in developing partnerships, sponsorships, and giving programs. Artist Business is a professional development service specifically for visual artists, funded by the Government of Australia.
The AbaF Awards
The AbaF Awards are presented annually to the best relationships between the private sector and the arts. Awards are presented for the best business arts partnerships, giving programs, and individual leadership. The AbaF Awards were first presented in 2001.
Research
AbaF conducts research into sponsorship and donations to the arts in Australia, including the annual AbaF Survey of Private Sector Support for the Arts.