Education is the theme for the 230 corporate and arts leaders attending the third Regional Business/Arts Summit on Friday.

Businessmen will see how the Haddonfield Symphony's educational programs enrich the lives of youngsters in a children's concert at the South Jersey Performing Arts Center on Camden's Waterfront. They will also learn from two panels of speakers how the arts affect their businesses.

Friday's summit has stirred up interest in both the business and arts communities, notes Fred Frank of PNC Advisers.

"The timing is right, and the issues are right," says Frank, who serves as board chairman of the Arts and Business Partnership of Southern New Jersey, which is organizing the summit with a consortium of business partners.

"Businesses are concerned with their ability to attract and retain good talent," explains Frank. "How can arts arts organizations help with that? They play a crucial role in educating the young people who join the work force and in enhancing the quality of life so they remain here."

"Business people today are interested in work force development," adds Patricia Chamberlin, executive director of the Arts and Business Partnership. "We will demonstrate how the arts educate students and how they can enrich the lives of employees."

Chamberlin says the third Business/Arts Summit has attracted a record number of participants. For the first time, arts and business leaders from all eight counties in South Jersey will attend the summit at the SJPAC.

Keynote speaker Richard L. Smoot will tie together the summit's themes in his address. Smoot serves as chairman of the Philadelphia Orchestra and is the former CEO of PNC Bank.

The summit's 9 a.m. panel will address the role the arts play in education and community development. Camden native Kimberly Camp, executive director and CEO of The Barnes Foundation, will share Albert Barnes' vision of using the arts to educate his employees.

The 2:15 p.m. panel focuses on the impact of business on the arts. Jennifer Claudle of the Save the Music Foundation will relate how businesses have provided musical instruments to needy school districts.

Chamberlin points to the benefits businesses receive for their contribution to the arts. Support for the arts wins businesses public recognition and also affects the bottom line.

Since 1999, Chamberlin has matched 10 attorneys from the law firm of Capehart & Scatchard with arts groups. The lawyers have done everything from ushering at performances to serving on boards of directors.

"Our responsibility as a corporate entity is to give back to our community and become involved where our partners' passions lie," notes Kimberly Alford, marketing director of the Mount Laurel law firm.

"Moreover, business doesn't come walking through the door. We have to get out and about, meet people. The arts are a wonderful way to do that."

For its support of the arts, Capehart & Scatchard receives one of six 2001 Partnership Awards, recognizing outstanding business partners in Southern New Jersey. The law firm has been named the Business Partner of the Year.

Other award winners include:

•„Lockheed Martin Technology Services - Corporate Partner of the Year.

•„Joseph Barstys, customer satisfaction manager of Subaru of America - Business Volunteer of the Year.

•„Mark Fields, executive director, Glassboro Center for the Arts - Arts Partner of the Year.

•„William C. Hidlay, Executive Editor, Courier- Post - Partnership Advocate of the Year.

•„Assembly Speaker Jack Collins - Government Partner of the Year.