Mayor Bob Chiarelli, Christine Leadman (Westbora BIA), 
and Nichole McGill (CAO Director) after Westboro BIA received 

the 2006 Business Recognition Award 

Business Contributions to the Arts to be honoured at the Council for the Arts in Ottawa's Annual Sweetheart Lunch

The Council for the Arts in Ottawa (CAO) is pleased to announce that the Westboro Business Improvement Area (Westboro BIA) and Scotiabank will receive special recognition for their contributions to the arts in Ottawa at the sold-out 17th Annual Sweetheart Lunch for the Arts on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at the National Gallery of Canada.

The CAO initiated the Business Recognition program in 1994. The Awards were established to recognize and encourage support given by the Ottawa business community to the Ottawa arts community. Two awards are presented on an annual basis and reflect the involvement of large and small enterprises, and may represent cash or in-kind contributions. To date, 25 businesses have received awards.

The Westboro BIA's contribution to the arts over the past 20 years includes support for the Westboro Fine Arts Festival, The Westboro Studio Tour, as well as numerous contributions to arts organizations throughout the city. In 2004, Westfest, Westboro Village's Festival of Music, Art & Life was initiated by the BIA. Since its inception, Westfest has made a significant impact in Ottawa, hiring over 250 artists from six artistic disciplines. Executive Director, Christine Leadman will accept the award on behalf of the Westboro BIA.

Scotiabank is being honoured for their matching fundraising program in support of Galerie SAW Gallery, Ottawa's first artist-run centre and among Canada's oldest (founded in 1973). The first contribution of $5,000 was presented at SAW Gallery's Item International fundraising event held in November. The Scotiabank Rideau Street Branch have also encouraged their employees to participate as volunteers at SAW Gallery events. Scotiabank has committed a maximum contribution of $15,000 per year. Regional Manager Peggy Williams will accept the award on behalf of the Scotiabank.

"What stands out with both of this year's recipients is their involvement beyond their financial contributions. The presence of Scotiabank's managers and tellers at a SAW Gallery fundraising event, and Westboro business owners and their employees at Westfest demonstrates that the relationship between business and the arts is integral to a thriving city like Ottawa," said CAO Executive Director, Peter Honeywell.

At the Sweetheart Lunch for the Arts, the Council for the Arts in Ottawa will also introduce the recently published Business and the Arts Handbook, which was generously supported by Dollco Printing, the City of Ottawa, The Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Province of Ontario.