The City of Melville has joined forces with the Australian Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) to develop stronger links with the Melville community and, in particular, to help encourage links between local art and business organisations.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said arts and business are two very important sectors of the community. “The program titled, Arts Connecting Community has run successfully throughout Australia and aims to develop ongoing, reciprocal partnerships that meet the needs of arts organisations and businesses,” he said. “Our involvement with the program will support the development of Arts-Business partnerships within the municipality.”

The City of Melville began working with AbaF in July this year, holding a workshop with representatives from local arts organisations with the aim of exploring the benefits of partnering and assisting them in developing a business case with which to approach potential partners.

Participant Katherine Kenny from the WA Mandolin Orchestra said she found the workshop to be very beneficial. “I feel that I learnt a great deal that will not only benefit the West Australian Mandolin Orchestra but other community groups,” she said. “I'm very excited by the potential assistance and partnerships.”

The City has a number of events planned for 2009 to support the development of Arts-Business Partnerships within the City. If your organisation would like to be involved in this exciting program, contact Hannah Katarski on 9364 0650 or email Hannah.katarski@melville.wa.gov.au to register your interest.

The networking function will be held at the Melville Civic Centre, Reception Lounge from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on Friday, 31 October, RSVP by Thursday 23 October.

For more information visit www.abaf.org.au or www.dca.wa.gov.au.