Louise O’Reilly – photo by Renato Ghiazza

Today, Business to Arts is pleased to announce that Louise O’Reilly will be joining the organisation as Chief Executive. Louise has over 20 years of experience in developing and delivering purpose-driven and mission-led strategic initiatives and special projects at the intersection of art and science, culture, and innovation. She has a proven track record in engaging, influencing, and establishing cross-sectoral multi-stakeholder partnerships in both Ireland and international contexts that deliver transformative results.

Louise’s depth of expertise in arts management and cultural projects ranges across visual art, film, socially-engaged practice, music, theatre, heritage, architecture, art-science, technology, and innovation, from start-up to execution and evaluation. She was also a founding team member of a new social sciences, arts, and humanities lab at The Dock, Accenture’s global research and innovation hub. Immersed in the latest thinking around ESG standards she has pioneered conscientious innovation, helping global corporate leaders move beyond good intentions in creating value for people and society.

Louise previously led on the strategic network development of new Science Gallery locations in London, Melbourne, Bangalore, and Venice, on the international development of the Irish Film Institute Player, and on the operational establishment of Dublin City Council Culture Company. She has also worked as a lobbyist and coordinator for the National Campaign for the Arts and is an alumna of the international Clore and Common Purpose Leadership Programmes.

Louise currently sits on the Board of Directors for Irish Architecture Foundation, and CREATE, the National Development Agency for Collaborative Art, providing her with invaluable governance, HR, legal, financial oversight and risk management experience. Having led the development of five-year strategies for both organisations, her work has been central to leveraging strategic funding increases and driving organisational and strategic momentum.

In 2020 Louise graduated with a Diploma in Legal Studies from The Honorable Society of The King’s Inns and in 2021 received her Diploma in Intellectual Property and Tech Law from the Law Society.

Speaking about her appointment Louise said:

“I have long been motivated to create the conditions for artists to make great work, and I believe Business to Arts can unlock real value for our clients across the private and public sector, arts, and culture. I look forward to leading Business to Arts, its team, and activities, in catalysing conversations between Ireland’s cultural and corporate communities, and in building partnerships that lead to projects with real societal impact.”

Davina Saint, Chair of Business to Arts said:

‘I am really looking forward to working with Louise and to her joining the Business to Arts team. Louise brings a wealth of experience with her to the role, and I believe that she will broaden our stakeholder engagement and develop Business to Arts in line with our strategic vision.’

Louise will join Business to Arts on 4^th April.

Pictured at this year’s Awards venue, the National Concert Hall, was Tina Segner, performance artist and co-founder at Tumble Circus street theatre company based in Belfast with Awards partners Etain Seymour, Marketing and Communications Director at Accenture, Susan Jackson, Senior Marketing Manager for Irish Life Corporate Business, Orla O’Connor, Chair for Arthur Cox, Gerard McNaughton, Creative Director for TileStyle, Bevin Cody, Corporate Reputation Manager for ESB, and Clare Duignan, Board Member for Business to Arts and Chair of this year’s Awards Judging Panel.

Today, Business to Arts, their innovation partner Accenture, and category partners Arthur Cox, daa, ESB, Irish Life, The Arts Council of Ireland, The Irish Times and TileStyle launched the call for nominations for the landmark 30^th anniversary 2022 Business to Arts Awards.

The Awards celebrate the power of partnerships between two sectors that can generate learning, wellbeing, joy and innovation during times of hardship. At the awards launch, Business to Arts and the awards partners encouraged businesses and philanthropists to look to the cultural sector for inspiration and support in providing engaging, insightful and enjoyable experiences both within and outside of the workplace. Previous award winners include Iarnród Éireann/Irish Rail, An Post, Flogas, Grant Thornton, Dublin Port Company, Irish Film Institute, and the Naughton Foundation.

This year marks a landmark year in the Awards history and also represents the highest level of monetary support to the arts offered with €25,000 available through bursaries and awards.

Now in its 13^th year, the €10,000 Jim McNaughton/TileStyle Bursary, is open to emerging artist(s) in any art form. The inaugural year of the ‘Accenture Digital Innovation in Art’ Bursary will offer €10,000 to an artist whose work is created digitally and showcases how harnessing the combination of technology and human ingenuity can produce new perspectives and approaches to art. The daa €5,000 Arts Award honours an arts organisation in recognition of its effective and imaginative collaboration with a business. Additionally, the Best Philanthropic Support to the Arts award, supported by the Arts Council, recognises outstanding examples of sustainable and impactful arts philanthropy.

There are 11 categories in total focusing on sponsorship, commissioning, CSR initiatives and community engagement as well as mentoring, training, philanthropy, and staff programmes. The online application form can be accessed through www.businesstoarts.ie/awards.

Clare Duignan, Chair of this year’s judging panel and Board Member of Business to Arts said:

‘The 30th anniversary of the Business to Arts Awards ceremony will combine physical with virtual to celebrate the very best in creative partnerships from the last 18 months. As we emerge and recover from the effects of pandemic it is vital to celebrate new, innovative, and sustained corporate partnerships that support artistry, creativity, and society.

In our work, we are increasingly seeing business organisations connect with important issues around sustainability, equality, technology, and wellbeing by engaging with the arts, and we hope to see this reflected in this year’s nominations.’

Etain Seymour, Marketing and Communications Director for Accenture in Ireland said:

‘The last couple of years has reminded us all of the comfort we get from the arts when surrounded by so much disruption in our lives. Now more than ever, creative partnerships between businesses and the arts can bring hope and joy across society. We’re thrilled to offer the inaugural ‘Digital Innovation in Art’ Bursary and look forward to seeing how the submissions showcase the exciting possibilities of technology and human ingenuity working together.’

Oisín O’Shaughnessy, Managing Director, Irish Life Corporate Business said:

‘Irish Life is thrilled to sponsor the Business to Arts Award for Best Use of Creativity in the Community once again this year. Supporting the arts is a real privilege for us, as I’m sure it is for all of the businesses associated with this fantastic project.

Helping the people of Ireland to build better futures is something we strive to do in every facet of our business, every single day. So, we are exceptionally proud to support the arts and in particular, the crucial role that creativity plays in inspiring, uplifting and cultivating better communities all over Ireland, both now and into the future.’

Orla O’Connor, Chair, Arthur Cox said:

‘We are delighted to partner with Business to Arts for the 30th anniversary of the awards. In Arthur Cox we have always been passionate about supporting the arts both through our commissioning programme and our own art collection. Over the last two years, creative corporate partnerships have been so important in terms of providing support to the arts sector and we look forward to seeing the shortlisted projects.’

Martin O’Sullivan, Deputy Director of the Arts Council said:

‘The Arts Council welcomes, appreciates and encourages partnerships between socially minded businesses and philanthropists. We welcome applications that demonstrate best-practice in the area of sustainable arts philanthropy and we look forward to working with our colleagues in Business to Arts in this important area.’

Bevin Cody, Corporate Reputation Manager, ESB said:

‘As a long-time supporter of the arts in Ireland, ESB is delighted to once again sponsor the Best Use of Creativity in the Workplace Award. We know the vital role the arts can play in enriching our working life, fostering staff wellbeing and building a vibrant work environment. This category always delivers a diverse and innovative approach to using the arts to build healthy resilient businesses, and we look forward to the same high standard this year.’

Cathy Burke, Head of Internal Communications, daa said:

‘daa has a strong and fruitful relationship with the Business to Arts team and has been a proud sponsor of the awards for close on three decades. We are delighted to once again commission the award sculpture, which has an added significance this year, as it not only marks 30 years of the awards but also our association with this event. We are very much looking forward to seeing all the submissions, including those for the Arts Award, which never fail to impress with their creativity and imagination.’

Paul Mulvaney, Managing Director, The Irish Times Group said:

‘The importance of support and partnership by business to the arts community has been more evident than ever over the past few years. The Irish Times Group is once again proud to support the Best Long-Term Partnership Award. Congratulations to the Business to Arts team as they celebrate the 30^th anniversary of these Awards.’

Gerry Butler, Managing Director, TileStyle said:

‘We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Business to Arts Awards in this landmark year and to provide crucial Bursary support for an artist to develop their work. These awards shine a light on the great things that can be achieved when corporate and cultural communities connect and get creative together.’