WAYO & Woodside: national finalists for the Australia Council Young and Emerging Artists Award

01 September

WAYO's 21-year partership with Woodside has been recognised with the announcement of their selection as national finalists for the Australia Council Young and Emerging Artists Award for partnerships between businesses and arts and cultural organisations that helps to build skills, experience and opportunities for young and emerging artists.

Woodside Manager for Community Affairs Jo Ferrie said Woodside's support of WAYO helped the orchestra provide quality musical training and performance opportunities for young people, many of whom have gone onto achieve outstanding careers. 

"Woodside supports a multitude of programs through our principal partnership of WAYO. We are very proud of The Woodside Young Professionals Program and The Woodside Mentorship and Leadership Programs which provide the opportunity for young artists to work with world leading conductors," she said.
"We also have the pleasure of supporting the Woodside String Quartet and Outreach Ensemble, this award is a validation of how successful our partnership with WAYO has been."

WAYO Executive Director Ben Burgess said he was very proud the partnership with Woodside had been recognised.

"Our partnership provides talented young Western Australians opportunities to present outstanding concerts for thousands of audience members every year. WAYO's Woodside sponsored programs have also had a profound impact on so many young Western Australian musicians, by supporting and helping them reach beyond their potential," he said. "It is a tribute to the strength and results of the Woodside-WAYO partnership that it has been recognised in such a competitive award."

The announcement was made at the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) WA Awards in Perth last night. The national winner of the Australia Council Young and Emerging Artists Award will be announced at the AbaF National Awards to be held in Perth in October 2011.

» Click here to read Woodside's Media Release

» Click here to view all WA winners and images of the event