Vancouver bakery recognized for supporting the arts

October 5, 2010, Vancouver – Anna’s Cake House has won a Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Award, nabbing the inaugural award in the Small Business Partnership category.

The Eurasian specialty bakery has been recognized for its support of local arts organizations. In-kind arrangements with The Arts Club Theatre Company have allowed the theatre group to create new programs, such as the Subscriber Tea Matinee, the Sunday Prologue Lecture Series and the annual fundraising gala Arts Club Honours. Anna’s Cake House has also supported Gateway Theatre and other arts groups in the city.

 “I love the arts as after attending any artistic function, you always come away with something that enriches your life,” says Ron Cheung, owner of Anna’s Cake House. Cheung’s passion for the arts began at the age of 16. That passion has been the driving force behind the bakery’s support for the local arts scene. “For me, there is no better way to channel life experience than arts,” Cheung says. 

The Small Business Partnership Award recognizes a business with fewer than 50 employees that has partnered with the arts. The Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Awards also recognize Best Entrepreneurial Partnership, Most Effective Corporate Program and Most Innovative Marketing Sponsorship.

The awards will be presented at the 32nd annual Business for the Arts gala, to be held at Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum on October 7.

Anna’s Cake House was established in 1974. The bakery contributed to over 70 different organizations between 2008 and 2009, and posted record profits last year, despite a tough economic climate.