Participants from the New Stream Partnership with the DeVos Institute for Arts Management at the Kennedy Center

Today, Business to Arts announced an extension of its organisational-capacity programme for Irish arts organisations supported by Bank of America Merrill Lynch and run in partnership with the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the Kennedy Center, Washington DC. This intensive project, run as part of Business to Arts’ New Stream programme, is currently working with 15 organisations across Ireland, and will be extended to a second year, with the addition of five more organisations, bringing the cohort to 20 arts organisations. Closing date for applications is 24 April 2013.

The broader New Stream programme, now in its fourth year and engaging over 170 arts professionals and board members per annum, consists of a number of activities which deliver a range of resilience and sustainability-building resources to arts organisations across Ireland, regardless of size and resource. The overall programme is evaluated annually by Business to Arts as part of their reporting of the project and this has found that the organisations which took part in the training have raised over €5 million in new income over three years, through applying the techniques directly acquired on the programme. This €5.4 million of funds raised is against a total of €400,000 invested by Bank of America Merrill Lynch through the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and €70,000 invested by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Business to Arts works to support sustainability in the cultural sector through partnership and professional development. The organisation is funded by support from the business community, foundations, arts organisations and the public sector, all of whom share a belief that collaboration between stakeholders can help enhance creativity and deliver a benefit to society.

Speaking at the announcement of an intake of 5 more organisations to the DeVos Ireland partnership, Stuart McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Business to Arts referred to the overwhelmingly positive feedback at each stage of the programme over the first 10 months, and praised the organisations and their Boards for their commitment to the strategy-building process. He said “Having identified that organisational development requirements in the arts stretched far beyond fundraising, we have been delighted the impact of Year 3 New Stream as we broadened the subject matter. The combination of a refreshed approach, and the implementation of skills, has allowed us to continue the trajectory of funds raised by participants in the programme. And now, by extending our partnership with Bank of America Merrill Lynch, we are able to grow the base of knowledge in the Irish sector still further through our collaboration with Michael Kaiser and his team at the Kennedy Center.”

“Bank of America Merrill Lynch has operated in Ireland for 45 years and has been a long standing supporter of education, community development and the arts during that time.  We are therefore especially delighted to continue our relationship with New Stream and help build on the tangible results that have been achieved through the programme,” said Andrea Sullivan, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Europe and Emerging Markets (ex-Asia) at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. “The arts help to create connections all over the world, from our own employees through to clients and our communities. Healthy economies need the arts to thrive and we are pleased to be able to connect capital with need to help further development in Ireland.”

“Ireland has such a rich and diverse community of arts organisations, and Business to Arts is such a strong advocate for them. We are proud to continue our relationship with them for a second year,” said Michael M. Kaiser, President of the Kennedy Center and the DeVos Institute of Arts Management. “I look forward to seeing how our work together will continue to strengthen the lively arts scene in Ireland.”

Business to Arts and the Kennedy Center have opened the application process for the second intake of organisations. The application form and further information is available on www.devosireland.org, and the closing date is 22 April 2013.

Brendan Murphy (left), Allianz CEO, Una Ni Chanainn, RTE‰ NSOand Stuart McLaughlin,CEO of Business to Arts at the National Concert Hall.

Nominations for the Allianz Business to Arts Awards 2013 opened officially in March. The awards in their 22nd year (the 12^th year of Allianz’s support) seek to recognise and celebrate the creativity and mutual benefits of close collaboration between the business and artistic community.

The Allianz Business to Arts Awards recognise businesses, artists and arts organisations that develop creative partnerships, working together on sponsorships, mentoring, training, staff development, commissioning, CSR projects and so on.

This year will mark Allianz’s 12^th anniversary of its involvement in the Business to Arts awards which has seen Allianz build on over two decades of support programmes for Irish arts and sports communities. As public funding faces further pressures, Allianz is encouraging more leaders in the business community to look to the creative sector to achieve business advantage, and to learn from the achievements of the Awards alumni who achieved mutually beneficial relationships with the arts communities.

Both Allianz and Business to Arts believe that culture plays an important role in creating a healthy society and a strong community in which to do business. Over 25 years, Business to Arts have championed the creation of structures to support the Irish arts sector, given its central role in the development of Ireland’s national character and its international profile.

Stuart McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Business to Arts said “In our 25th year Business to Arts have continued to support and observe many new collaborations between the corporate and cultural sectors. Pressure on all forms of funding, together with a continued emphasis by Government on growing private investment in the arts, is encouraging a more diverse portfolio of partnerships. From this new opportunities have emerged. The Allianz Business to Arts Awards in 2013 will continue our celebration of these partnerships, and to use the stories gathered as an inspiration to others.”

“In our twelve year association with the Allianz Business to Arts Awards we have seen the relationship between the business and arts world change radically, with both sides benefitting hugely.  The Allianz Business to Arts Awards has played a crucial role in unlocking creative and innovative potential in the last twenty five years” said Brendan Murphy CEO Allianz. “As Ireland’s economy starts to recover this support from the business community is needed now more than ever to develop the creativity and talent needed to thrive both from the business and cultural bottom line.”

Closing date for applications is Thursday May 2^nd 2013. Go to https://www.businesstoarts.ie/awards for information on the application process and to download and application form.