Pictured from left to right, Andrew Hetherington, CEO of Business to Arts and Brendan Murphy, CEO of Allianz Ireland hitting a high note at the launch of the Allianz Business to Arts Awards 2016.

This year we mark our Silver Anniversary – 25 years celebrating world-class relationships across arts and business.

The Allianz Business to Arts Awards recognise and champion the spirit of collaboration between businesses, artists and arts organisations that develop creative partnerships; bringing the arts and artists into mutually beneficial relationships across society.

“Both the artistic and business landscape has changed beyond recognition in the last 25 years. And we have seen the evolution of the relationship between business and the arts evolve into a mutually beneficial dialogue where both sides collaborate to benefit the business and societal bottom line,” said Brendan Murphy, CEO of Allianz. “Did you know that €60.3 million that was used to fund arts organisations and individuals across Ireland in 2010, €41.1 million was returned directly to the Exchequer in the form of income, VAT and other taxes? That is before you factor in any consumer spending during the events or activities. Supporting the arts has and continues to deliver in terms of measurable return of investment and reaps dividends for our society as a whole.”

Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive of Business to Arts said, “In our 25th year celebrating creative partnerships, the Allianz Business to Arts Awards will honour some of the most outstanding examples of partnerships between business and arts. Each year we are amazed at the creativity, innovation and excellence demonstrated by the various nominations we receive from around the country. In this, our silver anniversary, we look forward to recognising and celebrating new award-wining projects with our own partner, Allianz. With an evolving funding paradigm in the cultural sector across earned income, public funding and private investment it makes the encouragement and celebration of world-class partnerships more important than ever”

Closing date for applications is Monday 9 May 2016 at 5pm. Click here for information on the application process and to complete the application form.

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Pictured above are Charlie Murphy, Dublin Port, Gary Sheehan, National Concert Hall, Simon Taylor, National Concert Hall, Eamonn O’Reilly, Dublin Port, Lucy McCaffrey, Paul Noonan, Andrew Hetherington, Business to Arts and Matthew King, National Concert Hall. Picture by Conor McCabe Photography.

Dublin Port has recently announced details of ‘Starboard Home’, a unique collaboration featuring 12 of Ireland’s foremost songwriters. Presented in association with the National Concert Hall, ‘Starboard Home’ has been commissioned by Dublin Port as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. Twelve leading names in contemporary music have been invited to compose and perform new songs inspired by the relationship of the Port with the City. These include: Paul Noonan (BellX1), James Vincent McMorrow, Cathy Davey, Duke Special, Gemma Hayes, Jape, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Lisa O’Neill, Declan O’Rourke, John Sheahan (The Dubliners) Paul Cleary (The Blades) and novelist Caitriona Lally.

Produced by acclaimed Irish songwriter Paul Noonan (Bell X1 and Printer Clips) and Gary Sheehan at the National Concert Hall, ‘Starboard Home’ reflects on the complex relationships between the Port, the City and the Liffey through song, ranging from elegant electronic pop to sublime trad inspired moments and crafted song-writing. This remarkable set of songs presents a contemporary and panoramic view of Dublin as a port city.

The artists gathered at Sun Studios in Dublin during February 2016 to collaborate and record ‘Starboard Home’. Bringing together a new band featuring Nick Seymour (Crowded House), Brian Crosby (formerly of BellX1 and The Cake Sale) and Glenn Keating (I Am The Cosmos and Jape), the artists have recorded all the new works for an album to be released in June 2016. Starboard Home Premiere Concert will take place 22nd June 2016 at the National Concert Hall.

Commenting on the initiative, Eamonn O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Dublin Port said: “Dublin Port is delighted to announce that we have commissioned new contemporary music for 2016 from leading Irish artists in association with the National Concert Hall. Inspired by the Port and the Liffey, Starboard Home is a major addition to Ireland’s musical heritage which Dublin Port hopes will help rebuild the connection between the Port and the City which was so strong a century ago but which has waned in recent decades.”

“Over the last three years, Dublin Port has looked to the arts to find a voice to help bridge the false dichotomy between Port and City and to remake the link of centuries. The Port’s support for culture and the arts builds on a long tradition of engagement with local communities in a way that engages new audiences.”

“Where the languages of statistics, finance and commerce fail to convey the importance and relevance of Dublin Port, we have found that the arts succeed. We are confident that Starboard Home will help us to continue to communicate with the widest audience.”

Simon Taylor, CEO of the National Concert Hall, said: “As the home of music in Ireland and an iconic landmark in the city, the National Concert Hall is proud to partner with Dublin Port on their ambitious investment in commissioning and presenting this unique and exciting creative project. It represents a significant and imaginative contribution by Dublin Port to the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and continues the development of the National Concert Hall’s commitment and support of Irish musicians and composers across the musical spectrum.”

‘Starboard Home’ is the latest in a series of cultural and heritage initiatives by Dublin Port designed to present Dublin’s rich maritime heritage in new and thought-provoking ways.

Dublin Port’s recent initiatives encompass fine art, digital installation, modern sculpture and architectural revival:

• Dublin Port has created a modern interpretation for the Diving Bell on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, part industrial heritage, part sculpture.
• Cliona Harmey’s Dublin Ships installation graced the Scherzer Bridge on North Wall Quay for nine months during 2015 intriguing passers-by with ever-changing couplets of ship names.
• Artist Feargal McCarthy created a replica installation of Dublin Port’s Northbank Lighthouse as part of the Science Gallery’s HOME\SICK 2015 exhibition with support from Dublin Port.
• The Port has more recently commissioned artist and NCAD graduate Eimear Murphy to create a new sculpture that will provide a focal point for Port Centre on East Wall Road, fashioned from contemporary materials which are the language of building and industry.
• Dublin Port is currently co-operating with Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane to bring an exhibition of the works of Antwerp’s port artist Eugeen van Mieghem to Dublin in 2017.

Business to Arts is delighted to announce the appointment of Helen Carroll to the position of Senior Manager – Marketing & Strategic Partnerships. Helen joins our team to develop and implement strategies that enhance the visibility and impact of our many programs, partnerships, services and events.

Prior to joining Business to Arts, she was Assistant Manager of the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, overseeing all operational, contractual, and financial aspects of productions, events and conferences. Having worked as Senior Marketing and Press Officer prior to this, Helen developed and implemented strategic marketing campaigns and sponsorship opportunities for international and national productions. In the past she has also worked for Dance Theatre of Ireland, EventHaus Ltd. and IMG Artists, London.

Helen graduated with a Masters in Cultural Policy & Arts Management from University College Dublin in 2011 having previously obtained a Bachelor in Laws (LL.B) from Trinity College Dublin. She is an Associate of the Royal Irish Academy of Music (ARIAM, 2006) and received a piano performance diploma from the London College of Music (Dip,LCM 2004). She is also an Associate and full teaching member of the Royal Academy of Dance, London.