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Business volunteers have contributed $5 million in skills and time to the arts through adviceBank and boardBank, skilled volunteering programs run by the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF).

AdviceBank matches business volunteers with arts and cultural organisations to work on projects in areas such as business planning, marketing, and information technology. BoardBank matches business people with vacancies on arts boards.

AbaF has organised more than 650 placements around Australia since the programs were established, and is encouraging more registrations through its website.

There is no charge to the arts organisation or the volunteers for participating in the volunteering programs.

AbaF Chief Executive Jane Haley explains that âskilled volunteering is good for both parties. The cultural organisation benefits from access to business expertise that the organisation doesn't have internally, and couldn't afford to pay for.

"The volunteer gets a buzz out of applying their knowledge in a different, creative environment, and honing their communication and mentoring skills.

"During this financial downturn, when cash is not so readily available, skilled volunteering is an effective way for businesses to make a contribution to the community."

Wesley Enoch, Artistic Director of the National Indigenous Theatre Company, added "adviceBank is one of the secrets which every artist should find out about. It's great to meet dedicated and talented people who can be both detached and enthusiastic for a project. It worked well for us because it helped hone the ideas we already had and provided that much needed outside eye."

AdviceBank is also available to individual visual artists.

People interested in volunteering or in securing a business volunteer can register with AbaF on 03 9616 0308, www.abaf.org.au/volunteering

23rd May 2008 - PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRIBUTES $171 MILLION TO THE ARTS

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