Pictured: Kilkenny Arts Festival. Irish Chamber Orchestra. Eight Seasons. (Photo: John D Kelly)s / Nick O’Connell & Breandán de Gallaí, Linger, a Dance Ireland Commission

Business to Arts welcomes the publication of “LIFE WORTH LIVING”, the Report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce launched by Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht on November 17th, 2020.

The report recommendations include:

• income, taxation and financial provision measures;
• education and training supports;
• technology supports;
• mental health supports;
• social protection measures;
• copyright measures.

The Taskforce has completed its work and its Chairperson, Ms Clare Duignan, submitted this report to the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht including a set of recommendations on how best the arts and culture sector can adapt and recover from the unprecedented damage arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The sector includes culture, the arts, the audio visual industry and the live entertainment industry.

The report sets out a number of recommendations for the sector’s survival until it fully opens up again. This includes how it can retain the artists and the wider creative, technical, production and support workforce, with their skills and talent, so that there are still arts, culture and entertainment events for Irish audiences and foreign visitors to enjoy in the years to come. These recommendations build on the supports already provided to the impacted sectors in Budget 2021 and in the July Stimulus.

The report includes recommendations on policy and planning, income, taxation and financial provision, education and training, technology supports; mental health, social protection, community development, social inclusion as well as around copyright.

The report, in identifying the value of the arts and culture sector in society, offers ways to ensure performers and creators are recognised and supported through new measures.

Within this, the report identifies a number of issues and solutions under the themes of:

• Ensuring Recovery;
• Building Resilience; &
• Facing Forward.

Commenting on the report, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, T.D., stated:

“I very much welcome the report “LIFE WORTH LIVING” submitted by the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce and thank each and every member of the Taskforce for their time, expertise and commitment in this hugely difficult time. I met with the Taskforce at the start of its work and was struck both by the members’ dedication and also the seriousness of the situation facing the Arts and Culture sector.”

“The Taskforce has produced a set of recommendations on how best the arts and culture sector can adapt and recover from the unprecedented damage arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector includes the arts, culture, the audio visual industry, live entertainment and the events industry.” 

“As I have stressed on numerous occasions, the Arts and Culture sector was the first to shut and will in many cases be the last to re-open. This report will be hugely beneficial to me and to my colleagues in Government as we examine ways to help the Arts and Culture sector emerge from the very difficult position in which it finds itself. I note in particular the Taskforce’s assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both existing livelihoods within the sector but also people’s future prospects, not just financially but in areas such as wellbeing and maintaining existing skill sets. I am under no illusions about the scale of the challenge and the many competing priorities facing Government. Nonetheless, I am delighted that as a Government we have been able so far to respond to date on many of the issues highlighted within this report. We can always strive to do better and that is what I aim to do.”

Clare Duignan, Chairperson of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, added:

“I am delighted that the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce has completed our work and submitted the report “LIFE WORTH LIVING” to the Minister. I must give a huge thanks and praise to my colleagues on the Taskforce.  They have committed so much time and energy in helping to craft and shape the report that is now available for all to read. I would also like to thank all those who made submissions during the consultation stage ensuring that this report is a fact driven, balanced document.

 “As I say in the report; almost all activity has stopped in the Arts and Culture sector. The survival, recovery and sustainability of this sector is dependent on economic policy and decision-making in the short and long-term. I strongly believe that this report gives the Government the information required to help the sector by ensuring its recovery, building on its resilience and strengthening it for the future.”

You can read “LIFE WORTH LIVING”, the Report here.

For further information click here

Pictured at a COVID-19-adapted announcement of the Business to Arts Awards is Rachel Ní Bhraonáin of Fidget Feet. Photograph: Robbie Reynolds

Today, Business to Arts alongside their supporting partners launched the call for nominations for the annual Business to Arts Awards. The Awards champion businesses, artists and arts organisations that work together in areas such as sponsorship, commissioning and CSR programmes, which involve creativity in the community and in the workplace.

At the awards launch, Business to Arts encouraged businesses across Ireland to support the arts, strengthen their existing relationships with the cultural community and create meaningful partnerships at a time of critical need for the arts sector. Research conducted by Business to Arts in 2019 among corporate sponsors and arts organisations in Ireland revealed that:

• Over €8.5 million was spent on arts, festival and music sponsorships between May 2018/2019
• Of the arts sponsors surveyed in 2019, 41% reported that they would increase their spend in 2020

Winners of the Business to Arts Awards provide leading examples that help inform others about the ways to support the arts sector during the pandemic.

2021 will mark the 29^th edition of the Business to Arts Awards and will include a COVID-19-adapted Ceremony, which will take place in April 2021 and will be broadcast online from the GPO. Supporters of the Awards include Accenture, Arthur Cox, daa, Irish Life, The Arts Council / An Comhairle Ealaíon, The Irish Times, TileStyle and An Post.

For the 29th year, daa will commission the award sculpture presented to winners of the Business to Arts Awards. This is one of the longest recurring commissions of artists by any business in Ireland. In recent years, the artists commissioned have included Emma Bourke (Mayo), Ed Miliano (Dublin), Kevin Callaghan (Cork) and Cara Murphy (Down). The next commissioned artist will be announced in February 2021.

There are 9 categories in total that focus on sponsorship, commissioning and CSR initiatives including creativity in the community and in the workplace. A new award recognising philanthropic giving has been announced in partnership with the Arts Council/ An Comhairle Ealaíon. The full list of categories are:

1. Best Large Sponsorship (> €25,000) supported by Arthur Cox
2. Best Small Sponsorship (< €25,000)
3. Best Long Term Partnership (3 years or more) supported by The Irish Times
4. Best Use of Creativity in the Community supported by Irish Life
5. Best Use of Creativity in the Workplace supported by ESB
6. Jim McNaughton Perpetual Award for Best Commissioning Practice
7. Jim McNaughton / TileStyle €10,000 Bursary for Artists
8. Best Philanthropic Support to the Arts supported by the Arts Council
9. Judges’ Special Recognition Award supported by Accenture

Previous award winners include BNP Paribas & IMMA, Butler Gallery & Cartoon Saloon, Grant Thornton & National Concert Hall, McGarrell Reilly Group, Fishamble: The New Play Company and Waterford Walls.

At the launch Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive of Business to Arts said:

“As we navigate the challenges of COVID-19, it is critical that we increase our advocacy with the private sector to support the arts community in towns and cities throughout Ireland. Our Awards are our flagship programme to achieve this. The winners will demonstrate how businesses are supporting the arts during the pandemic and the many ways other businesses can do this. We welcome the supporters of the Business to Arts Awards this year. Their commitment reflects the belief in our mission to champion collaboration with Ireland’s arts community and encourage other business leaders to support the arts. We look forward to recognising the shortlisted and winning relationships in April in an appropriate Awards Ceremony.”

Dr. Michelle Cullen, Managing Director and Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Accenture said:

“As society adapts to this challenging period, it is more important than ever that businesses support Ireland’s cherished arts sector in meaningful ways to keep our culture flourishing. Accenture is delighted to sponsor the Judges’ Special Recognition Award, which will be awarded based on an overall diverse portfolio of partnerships in the community.”

Orla O’Connor, Chair, Arthur Cox said:

“We are delighted to partner again with Business to Arts and support both the awards and Ireland’s arts community.  In these uncertain times, the arts inspire us and lift our spirits and are more important than ever.

Supporting and leveraging creative thinking is essential for building healthy businesses and vibrant communities and enriching our working environments. We wish all the applicants well with their entries.”

Tony Lawless, Vice President, Canada Life (Irish Life) said:

“Irish Life is delighted to sponsor the award for Best Use of Creativity in the Community this year. As a company with deep roots in the community, looking after over a million Irish people right across the island, we are proud to support the uplifting impact that successful creativity can have.”

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

“The Arts Council is delighted to support the Business to Arts award for Best Philanthropic Support to the Arts which recognises best-practice and outstanding impact in the area of arts philanthropy. We strongly encourage the embedding of a culture of sustainable philanthropy for the arts encapsulated in the Arts Council’s RAISE programme which is focused on growing private investment to the arts in Ireland. We look forward to acknowledging and recognising the philanthropic champions to the arts and encourage all those artists and arts organisations who are beneficiaries of generous philanthropy to nominate their champions for this award.” 

 Liam Kavanagh, Managing Director, The Irish Times said:
“The Irish Times is delighted to continue its media partnership and association with Business to Arts. This highlights our long-standing commitment to supporting and covering all aspects of arts and culture to a strong and engaged audience. We are proud to support the mission of Business to Arts, in particular at this time given the severe impact the pandemic has had on the sector. We look forward to a happier future and to an eventful and successful 29^th Awards.”

 Gerry Butler, Managing Director, TileStyle said:

“We are delighted to support Business to Arts in promoting creative partnerships between the arts and business communities. The awards recognise world class collaborations and showcase how exceptional talent, innovation and creativity can be harnessed for the benefit of all.”

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 16^th December at 5pm. Go to www.businesstoarts.ie/awards for information on the application process and to complete the online application form.

Launching the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts, Francesca McDonagh, Group Chief Executive, Bank of Ireland and Andrew Hetherington, CEO, Business to Arts at the Bank of Ireland Cultural and Heritage Centre. Photograph: Robbie Reynolds.

The Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts was launched today. The Fund will distribute a total of €1 million between 2020 and 2022 and is designed to support artists and arts projects across the island of Ireland.  Today’s announcement brings the Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together community investment to €3million.

The Arts Fund will support or commission artists and arts organisations to develop arts projects, enhancing the wellbeing of the participants, audiences and communities involved.  All art forms are eligible and the aim is for the projects to benefit a range of audiences. The Fund will also support arts projects that have been adapted due to COVID-19, or are inspired by / respond to COVID-19.

Francesca McDonagh, Group Chief Executive, Bank of Ireland said, “Our wellbeing as a country depends on our rich culture and heritage continuing to thrive.  Through this Fund we are building on Bank of Ireland’s long history of supporting the arts. There is no better time than when artists, like communities across the island, are struggling in the face of the pandemic.  This programme is part of our wider contribution to helping the recovery of communities and businesses across Ireland.”

Catherine Martin, TD, Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht said, “The arts sector has been severely impacted by COVID-19 and the Government has been working to support artists over the past six months.  The Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund, in the great tradition of business supporting creative communities, is a very welcome programme that will be embraced by artists and their local communities.”

Andrew Hetherington, CEO, Business to Arts said, “We are acutely aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on the revenue sources for the arts sector. The establishment of this fund with Bank of Ireland sets a new way for businesses to support arts projects in their local communities. We look forward to partnering with Bank of Ireland and seeing the arts projects that have been supported by the fund realised throughout 2021.”

The Begin Together Arts Fund is a new strand of the Bank of Ireland Begin Together programme and brings the Bank’s community investment to €3million.  Launched in February 2020, the Begin Together programme originally had three strands – the Begin Together Fund, the Begin Together Awards and Begin Together Colleagues, all contributing to community initiatives across the Island. In April, Bank of Ireland also donated a further €1 million in emergency funding to communities with urgent needs arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

About the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund:

The Fund will provide fees to artists or groups of artists to create new work and help maximise the budgets of partner organisations (e.g. arts organisations, community/voluntary organisations, etc.) for their programme of activity.

Artists or groups of artists applying must work with a partner organisation (e.g. a venue or event, arts organisation, community/voluntary organisation or another funding agency/organisation). Applicants can request funds between €3,000 – €10,000 / c. GBP£2,500 – £8,400, and average grants will be €5,000 / GBP£4,200, with maximum grants of €10,000 / GBP£8,400. Arts projects with larger budgets that have secured funds elsewhere are encouraged to apply. With each grant round, the Fund aims to provide funding to an arts project in each county on the island of Ireland.

Closing date for the first round of applications is Wednesday, 4 November at 5pm. The second round will open in April 2021. Go to www.businesstoarts.ie/artsfund/bank-of-ireland for information on the application process and to complete the online application form.

PwC and Business to Arts will host their annual CEO Forum on Thursday 8^th October, bringing CEOs & Leaders from across business and the arts in Ireland together to discuss new ideas and strategies that are developing in their sectors.

The CEO Forum will focus on ‘Resilience and Stabilisation’ of companies and organisations in diverse industries, as they deal with the impact of the pandemic, and plan for 2021 and beyond.

Panelists include Myles Clarke, Managing Director, CBRE Ireland; Maureen Kennelly, Director, The Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon; Feargal O’Rourke, Managing Partner, PwC Ireland; David Smith, President, IADT, who will respond to the discussion and Dearbhail McDonald, journalist and broadcaster, will moderate discussions. You can read more information about the panelists here.

This event will be broadcast online. To find out more, please contact Eileen.

Business to Arts is happy to announce the appointment of Fiona Clark to the Board of Directors. Fiona is Festival Director and CEO of Cork International Film Festival, joining in 2016 to lead Ireland’s first and largest film festival into its next phase of development, successfully delivering a refreshed event and a 32% increase in audiences in 2019.

Prior to Cork, Fiona held the senior position of Head of Development & Fundraising at the Irish Film Institute for three years, and CEO of Get Connected, a national UK youth helpline charity, growing that service and reach four-fold over her five-year tenure. As CEO of Earthrace, Fiona led the 2008 international environmental project in its successful Guinness and P1 World Record-breaking circumnavigation of the globe in a ‘green’ powerboat, leading to the establishment of Earthrace Conservation, a global marine conservation organisation, currently featured in the US TV series, The Operatives.

Fiona concluded a successful 20 year career as a theatre producer as Executive Producer at the acclaimed new writing Bush Theatre, London, and producing West End and Off Broadway transfers, and national and international tours. Fiona started her career in arts education, and held education development posts at a number of UK theatres before joining the flagship Theatre Royal Bath as Associate Director.

Fiona graduated from Bristol University with a BA in English and Drama. She is a member of the European Film Academy.

Read more about Fiona on Linkedin.

(Pictured clockwise from bottom left-hand corner) Una Sealy, Blaise Smith, Bríd Higgins Ní Chinnéide, Jim Fitzpatrick, Jackie Hudson Lalor.

Five artists chosen to celebrate the lives of pioneering women in STEM

Today five award-winning and internationally-acclaimed artists have been selected for Accenture’s Women on Walls at DCU initiative, which will celebrate the lives of female pioneers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) through a series of commissioned portraits.

Today’s announcement follows an open call issued to artists nationally in February of this year to apply for the opportunity to create portraits honouring the contributions of Beatrice Alice Hicks, Katherine Johnson, Dame Kathleen Lonsdale, Marie Maynard Daly and Kathleen (Kay) McNulty.

All five are regarded as pioneers in STEM, making significant contributions in their specific discipline, through outstanding research work, scientific breakthroughs and lasting cultural and social change for future generations.

The commissioned portraits will be hung in the Future-Tech building at DCU’s Glasnevin Campus. This flagship building is at the forefront of DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science, computing and engineering disciplines.

Accenture’s Women on Walls initiative is a campaign that seeks to make women leaders visible through a series of commissioned portraits that will create a lasting cultural legacy for Ireland. This is the third chapter of Accenture’s Women on Walls series, which commenced in 2016 with the Royal Irish Academy and was repeated in 2019 with RCSI.

The following artists have been commissioned to complete 5 individual portraits:

Welcoming today’s announcement of the five selected artists for Accenture’s Women on Walls at DCU commissions, President of DCU, Prof Brian MacCraith, said, “We are delighted to announce the internationally-renowned panel of artists that has been commissioned to create Accenture’s Women on Walls at DCU portraits. The calibre of the five artists is a reflection of the five extraordinary and inspirational women they will portray. Their life and work has had an important and lasting impact in their respective STEM fields. These portraits will highlight the major historic contribution of women in STEM and we hope that they will inspire all of our students to fulfil their potential.”

Dr Michelle Cullen, Managing Director and Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Accenture in Ireland added, “People we see on the walls can tell us about the past, and about the people who paved the way. But sometimes, they only tell half the story. Women on Walls began in response to the simple question, where are the women? As a graduate of DCU, it is a particular honour for me to see Accenture’s Women on Walls at DCU become a reality. The initiative is grounded in a core objective of enhancing the visibility of women in STEM to inspire future generations. The five selected artists are integral in helping us achieve that.”

Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive of Business to Arts added, “With this third edition of Accenture’s Women on Walls, we are adding five new portraits of leaders in STEM to the art collection of DCU. Accenture’s Women on Walls campaign is developing a substantial body of portraiture across academic institutions in Dublin. It represents a very tangible way to support artists, enhance the visibility of women in leadership and align with the Athena SWAN Charter. I’d like to congratulate each of the artists on their appointment to this prestigious commission.”

Learn more here

For any queries or for more information relating to the Women on Walls campaign, please contact: womenonwalls@businesstoarts.ie.

Watch live via the Business to Arts Facebook page

Business to Arts have announced a new online weekly series showcasing some of the work of our Artists-in-Residence. The AR Programme@Home Series will commence on Friday April 17th at 1pm via the Business to Arts Facebook page. The series will be live from the homes of our artists.

During the series each week, we will bring you a different artform and go behind the scenes of some of the work our artists complete with their business sponsors and community partners.

Catherine Ann was the A&L Goodbody Writer-in-Residence from 2016 – 2019, working with St. Joseph’s Co-Ed Primary School, East Wall. She is Poetry Ireland’s inaugural Poet in Residence since 2019. Watch Catherine Ann’s session here.

2. Making the Pitch – Finding calm and building confidence through the body with theatre practitioner James Riordan

Friday April 24th, 1pm

James is the LK Shields Artist-in-Residence, working with Access Students in NUI Galway. Watch James’ session here.

3. Imagining a Melody – Composing with pianist and composer Máire Carroll

Friday May 1st, 1pm

Máire is the BHP Insurances Artist-in-Residence, working with the Mid West Simon Community Family Hub in Limerick city. Watch Máire’s session here.

Our main priority during the COVID-19 pandemic is the safety of our employees, members, affiliates and the wider public. Our mission involves supporting people who work in the arts and in business. As a result, we will maintain an updated central reference page for all COVID-19 related advice and opportunities as they become known to us.

Business to Arts phone lines remain open for calls with our members, affiliates and for general queries from the public. We ask you to communicate with us through direct staff email or info@businesstoarts.ie as much as possible over the next couple of weeks to help us manage the workload as efficiently as possible.   

Here are the steps we are taking to help our members and affiliates

We advise that you maintain awareness of Government advice and supports contained on:

Hse.ie

Gov.ie including: Information for employers, information for employees and self employed, illness benefit for COVID-19 absences, social welfare COVID-19 contacts 

Department of Culture, Heritage & Gaeltacht 

Arts Council 

Charities Regulator

There are many useful Business Toolkits available online – here is one from BDO Ireland

Business to Arts & Fund it initial response:

We will centralise Business to Arts information and guidance here

Business to Arts will offer a series of online one-to-one clinics commencing 2nd April for our arts affiliates. We will be focusing on the individual needs of each organisation caused by COVID-19 during the session. These may include crisis fundraising and communications, sponsorship contracts and obligations, future fundraising plans and general business continuity queries. To book, please contact Michelle@BusinesstoArts.ie. 

Fundit.ie is accepting COVID-19-related emergency fundraising campaigns from March until the end of May. This will allow anyone that has experienced a sudden loss of income or may require funds as a result of COVID-19 to harness the power of their supporters to fund some or all of their needs.

From March until the end of May Fundit.ie will also reduce our commission for COVID-19 related crowdfunding campaigns from 8% to 4% during this period. i.e. only payment processing, merchant services and basic admin charges apply. We will work to reduce these further over the coming weeks. [update as of May 31st: commission reverted to 8%]

Fundraising Continuity / Advice ¹-²

Have a highly visible donation button on the homepage or your website and on your social media profile if possible.

For any cancelled performance/events, ask ticket buyers to donate the value of their ticket to you / your organisation so that the artists and your organisation is paid.

If you have cancelled or significantly scaled back a sponsored event, ask the sponsor/funder to relax the use of their funds. 

If you have large suppliers for your sponsored activities, ask for extended payment terms and/or consider payment forgiveness if your circumstances require this.

Gradually start to showcase your future plans for Autumn/Winter 2020 and beyond. While doing this, encourage your followers to support your organisation’s friends / membership campaign or ongoing fundraising campaign.

This might be a good time to kickstart or reinvigorate your  digital fundraising opportunities (e.g. fundit, patreon, gofundme etc). 

All communications related to the above should outline how the ticket price, sponsorship or donation will help you / your organisation survive during this difficult time.

One of the best ways to support artists is to buy their work. Find artists and arts organisations online and support them directly. Buy their vouchers, buy their books, listen to their music or watch their films on your chosen streaming services.

The Importance of Arts Advocacy 

It is important we all continue to make Government, the general public and private sector sponsors aware of the critical role of artists, creatives and Ireland’s cultural sector plays. We must make evidence-based arguments, which enhance supports for/investment in:

Artists, arts organisations and businesses impacted by the cancellation of mass events and closure of venues.

Self-employed workers and businesses (especially SME’s and cultural and creative businesses).  

In order to do this, we will work with all stakeholders to share knowledge, develop solutions and identify relevant supports. If you have an idea that you would like to discuss with us, please make contact via phone or info@businesstoarts.ie Please note that new Business to Arts initiatives will require further planning.

With thanks to key additional sources, partners & credits

1.DeVos Institute

2.NCFA

3.ThinkBusiness

RCSI Art Award 2018 recipient winner Amelia Stein commission launch. Pictured: Andrew Hetherington (Chief Executive, Business to Arts), Patrick T. Murphy (Director, RHA), President Kenneth Mealy (RCSI), President Abigail O’Brien (RHA), Aíne Gibbons (Director of Development, RCSI) and Amelia Stein (Photographer). Photo: Maxwell Photography

A new collection of nine contemporary photographic portraits of leading academic staff has been officially unveiled at RCSI. The portraits, by photographer Amelia Stein, recognise and celebrate the achievements of the extraordinary academic staff at RCSI.

The series was created by Amelia Stein, winner of the RCSI Art Award 2018 in association with The Irish Times and the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) Annual Exhibition. Complementing the Women on Walls collection which commemorates historical female leaders in healthcare, the portraits were commissioned by RCSI to enhance female representation across the University and to capture and honour the character and contributions of valued members of staff.

Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive, RCSI, said: “We are committed to showcasing the achievements of our female academic leaders, providing inspiration for current and future generations of students and promoting gender diversity in higher education and healthcare. By raising the visibility of trailblazing colleagues who make significant contributions to education, research and healthcare here at RCSI, we create role models for future generation which we know is critical in promoting greater female representation. These portraits mark a significant place on our journey towards embedding a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity throughout RCSI.”

Aíne Gibbons, Director of Development, Alumni Relations and Chair of the RCSI Art Committee, said: “We are delighted to add these wonderful portraits of RCSI’s great women leaders to RCSI’s art collection. I would like to congratulate Amelia Stein on this inspirational series of portraiture. We hope these portraits will inspire future generations and returning alumni.”

The RCSI Art Award was established in 2016 to celebrate the common heritage of RCSI and the RHA and the long-standing association between art, medicine and wellbeing.

Both RCSI and the RHA have Georgian origins and are 32-county bodies. RCSI was occupied, while the RHA was destroyed in the Easter Rising of 1916 and the RCSI Art Award was established to coincide with the centenary of these historic events. Past winners of the award include Remco de Fouw (2016), Miranda Blennerhasset (2017) and Mary A. Kelly (2019).

The nine trailblazers featured:

• Professor Marie Guidon, Foundation Head of School of Physiotherapy
• Professor Anne Hickey, Professor of Psychology and Deputy Dean for Positive Education
• Kate Kelly, Director Library Services, RCSI Library
• Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Professor Zena Moore, Professor and Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery
• Professor Niamh Moran, Head of School of Postgraduate Studies
• Professor Mary Leader, Head of Department of Pathology
• Professor Tracy Robson, Professor and Head of the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
• Professor Teresa Pawlikowska, Director of Health Professions Education Centre

About the artist
Born in 1958, Amelia Stein lives and works in Dublin, where she has established herself as a singularly exacting photographer whose work is characterised by meticulous attention to detail in tandem with the attributes of fine black and white photography.

As a performing arts photographer, Stein has worked in theatre and opera in Ireland from 1979 to 2000. Her signature black and white photography has featured widely in the music Industry and she was elected a member of the RHA in 2004 and of Aosdána in 2006. Fore more information, visit ameliastein.com.

CBS Westland Row TY students Genoveva Nemes (age 16) and Ademola Oke-Eko at Walkers offices. Photo: Conor McCabe

Business to Arts and global financial services law firm and corporate services business, Walkers, have announced the second year of the ‘Walkers Stories from the Docklands Photography Competition’. Members of the public are invited to submit photographs, that fit under one of four themes – architecture, people in motion, life on the water and daily life. Photographs where possible should be taken in the Dublin Docklands area. Due to the current situation, photographs are also welcomed which have been captured in any local area (e.g. home, garden, neighbourhood). There are four categories of entrant:

• Children 12 years and under
• Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age
• Adults
• Walkers Staff Members

Images may be taken on cameras or mobile phones. The closing date for entries is 20 July 2020.

A panel of experts will convene to select the shortlisted and winning images. Shortlisted and winning images will receive One4all vouchers. A number of selected photographs will be printed and displayed in the Walkers offices, with printed images presented to the participants as a prize per category.

This project builds on the Walkers Photographer-in-Residence programme which is now its third year. In February 2018, Irish photographer Kate Nolan was announced as the Walkers Photographer-in-Residence. The residency includes a series of workshops, where Kate has introduced documentary photography to CBS Westland Row transition year students and Walkers staff through ‘story walks’ of the Docklands. The residency supports Business to Arts’ wider programme of activity, which promotes the Arts collaboratively with businesses, artists, audiences and communities.

2020 sees Walkers celebrating 10 years in Ireland. Garry Ferguson, Managing Partner, Walkers commented:

“We are pleased to extend Walkers Photographer-in-Residence programme to also enable members of the public as well as our staff and the students of CBS Westland Row, to enter photographs under this competition. The photography competition theme centres on the architecture, movement of people and life on water in the picturesque and inspirational Dublin Docklands area where new and traditional parts of Dublin come together to form a flourishing centre for commerce, entertainment and urban living.”

At the announcement, Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive, Business to Arts stated:

‘We are very happy to announce the second annual Walkers Stories from the Docklands competition. This project builds on our collaborative partnership with Walkers, Photographer-in-Residence Kate Nolan, CBS Westland Row and the Docklands Arts Fund. The Docklands is continuously evolving and we look forward to receiving submissions that capture the day-to-day life and activities of those who work, live and commute through the area.’

For further information please click here.

An open call to artists for a series of new portraits of outstanding females in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) has been announced at DCU. Accenture Women on Walls at DCU will recognise the pioneering achievements of a group of extraordinary women and enhance the visibility of female leaders in STEM. When completed, the new portraits will be hung in The Future-Tech Building located at DCU’s Glasnevin Campus. The flagship building will be at the forefront of DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science, computing and engineering disciplines.

Speaking ahead of the announcement, Prof Brian MacCraith, President of DCU said:“Thanks to the ‘Accenture Women on Walls at DCU’ initiative, DCU will be able to give female STEM pioneers pride of place at the heart of our new Future-Tech building. DCU hopes the presence of these portraits will inspire future generations of female leaders in STEM, based on the powerful idea that ‘you cannot be what you cannot see’. We are delighted that this is happening as we celebrate our 40^th year as a higher education institution and it reflects a core value of DCU in our drive to foster equality, diversity and inclusion.”

Dr Michelle Cullen, managing director and Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Accenture in Ireland added: “Accenture is delighted to be working with DCU on the next chapter of Women on Walls. The existing portraits at RIA and RCSI continue to create many important conversations about extraordinary women leaders in Ireland and beyond. As a young undergraduate and post-graduate student, DCU was the place that formed and inspired me and it is a particular honour to be working with DCU on this important commission in the year of their 40th anniversary. I am looking forward to meeting the chosen artists for this commission. They will get the opportunity to paint historical women in STEM including Katherine Johnson, a former NASA mathematician whose calculations were critical to America’s first human spaceflight.”

Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive, Business to Arts said: “We are proud to work with DCU and Accenture on the next phase of the Women on Walls Campaign. Art is a powerful means of visual communication and these portrait commissions will be seen by students, staff and visitors to the DCU Campus for generations to come. Through portraiture we can acknowledge and celebrate the great achievements of these outstanding women ensuring that Irish and international female academic and industry leaders are visible.”

DCU is committed to promoting gender equality among staff and students for the advancement of the university’s mission to transform lives and societies.

The university is a recipient of the Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition of its commitment to advancing gender equality for women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and creating cultural change within the university.

It has consistently demonstrated a strong passion and dedication to advancing women in STEM as evidenced by initiatives such as the Improving Gender Balance Ireland Programme, which aims to improve students’ experience of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) as well as leading a global research consortium to help tackle gender equalities in Ireland’s entrepreneurial sector.

Women on Walls is a campaign that seeks to make women leaders visible through a series of commissioned portraits that will create a lasting cultural legacy for Ireland. Accenture’s Women on Walls began in 2016 with the Royal Irish Academy followed by a second campaign with RCSI in 2019.

Artists are welcome to submit a proposal to Business to Arts before 5pm on Friday, 17 April 2020. It is anticipated that the successful artists will be selected in June and that the completed artworks would be launched in Winter 2020. Further information is available here.

Photo: Jason Clarke

Last night, Fundraising Fellows Aoibhie McCarthy (Marketing & Development Officer, Cork Film Festival); John Mc Evoy (Development Executive, Druid); and Fiona Garvan (Development Executive, Dublin Theatre Festival) graduated from the Fundraising Fellowship programme. The programme, a partnership between Business to Arts, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Dublin City Council Culture Company, aims to develop the pool of fundraising expertise in Irish cultural organisations.

As part of the 24-month Fundraising Fellowship Dublin programme, the Fellows worked in a fundraising or a marketing & fundraising role at their arts organisation. The programme saw Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Dublin City Council Culture Company fund 50% of each role, with the partner organisation matching that figure. Over the two years, the Fellows took part in an intensive programme of training and mentorship, worth in-excess of €80,000 per institution led by Business to Arts and industry experts, to build capacity and to diversify revenue streams. As part of this, leading Irish experts offered masterclasses to develop knowledge and offer practical and real life expertise.

The Fellows have raised a combined €772,000 directly attributable to their role in their organisation. Three case studies have been published highlighting the challenges, implemented strategies and outcomes of the Fellows and their organisations participating in the course. Each can be viewed here:

• Druid Theatre Company
• Cork Film Festival
• Dublin Theatre Festival

To date over €2 million has been raised by Fellows who have participated in the programme. These include Helium Arts, Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, Fishamble: A New Play Company alongside the three organisations mentioned above.

Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive of Business to Arts states:

“This two-year programme has enabled Business to Arts; the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; and Dublin City Council Culture Company to provide an intensive programme of training and support to three arts organisations. We now have six Fellows that have graduated from the programme. Each Fellow has secured new funding for their organisation and we are very proud of their achievements to date. Developing sustainable fundraising ability in the arts takes time, resources and partnerships with all stakeholders. We thank the Department of Culture and Dublin City Council Culture Company for their foresight and investment in the programme”

At the graduation, Conor Falvey, Assistant Secretary Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht said:

“I wish to congratulate to Business to Arts on the resounding success of the Fellowship Scheme which has promoted a new approach to arts funding, strengthened the confidence and the capabilities of the Fellows and of their organisations, and achieved impressive results in 2018 and 2019. The values represented by their effort echo the values stated in the recently launched National Cultural Policy Framework Culture 2025.”

At the graduation, Iseult Byrne, Chief Executive, Dublin City Council Culture Company said:

“Capacity building one of our core values so we are delighted to have had the opportunity to work in partnership with Business to Arts on developing this programme. We are delighted to see how the programme has had an impact Dublin Theatre Festival, increasing the funds raised and the development of new partnership for the organisation. Perhaps more importantly though is the investment of Fundraising Fellowship Dublin in developing and sharing a skillset that will impact positively on cultural and community organisations long after the programme has ended.”

For details on the Fundraising Fellowship programme please click here.

Business to Arts Awards Picture Conor McCabe Photography

It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of our friend Keelin Shanley. We had the pleasure of working with Keelin over a five-year period as Master of Ceremonies for the Business to Arts Awards. During that time she also worked as MC at the Irish Book Awards and Accenture’s International Women’s Day Events.

Speaking about Keelin, Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive of Business to Arts said, “Keelin was a natural choice as master of ceremonies for our Awards. She had a great ability to hold an audience and seamlessly move between official ceremony and lighter conversation with winners. She was a strong advocate for women in media, and the arts, and was interested in the work of Business to Arts. As well as being an accomplished journalist and presenter known to everyone, she was a close friend of many people that are a part of our organisation. Our heartfelt sympathies to her husband Conor, her children, family and colleagues at RTE.”

Keelin’s obituary in on RTE can be read here and on Irish Times here.

Following the launch of Galway 2020, the team at Business to Arts look forward to attending some of the cultural events that will happen across Galway city and county in the coming year. From immersive theatre to street fairs, light shows to circus spectacles there is something for everyone. Galway 2020 events run all year until January 2021 culminating in Lumiere Galway, which will see Galway city transformed by artists through large-scale projections, light sculptures and interactive digital installations.

Here are some of our highlights:

• Joeleen Lynch – Membership & Projects Manager

To the Moon (March 31st-April 12th) 

A collaboration from NASA’s first artist-in-residence Laurie Anderson and new media artist Hsin-Chien Huang. I am excited for ‘To the Moon’, which promises a dreamlike immersive experience that takes the audience on their own 30 minute lunar exploration. A timely VR experience commenting on humans transitory experience on earth and our impact on other life forms that are threatened by extinction including the polar bear and the honey bee. Click here to learn more.

• Andrew Hetherington – Chief Executive

Druid: The Galway Tour (May 7th- July 5th)

Druid will perform a series of one act plays, which will be performed in local communities across Galway County and City. We’ve had the pleasure of working with the Druid team from 2018 – 2020 through their participation on our Fundraising Fellowship, Ireland programme. Druid’s reputation for bringing their productions to different locations in Galway means seeing one of these performances should not be missed. Click here to learn more.

• Helen Carroll – Head of Communications & Partnerships

Gilgamesh (April, June, November, December)

Macnas and Marina Carr bring the legendary adventures of Gilgamesh to life across the four seasons with the story beginning to unfold in fragments in spring and moving outdoors for summer. Playing out in multiple sites across the city, county and digital realm, Macnas are magical storytellers who constantly surprise, creating powerful and visual theatrical shows for audiences of all ages. Click here to learn more.

• Eileen Hanratty – Senior Membership & Projects Manager

Fire Garden (August)

To mark the start of Lughnasa and the long wild nights of this enchanted season, fire alchemists Cie Carabosse will create a magical fire garden on a huge scale in and around one of County Galway’s most impressive monuments. It will be a poignant experience, reflecting on the most basic and elemental human need for warmth and light as humanity is battling with the consequences of Earth’s increasing temperatures. Click here to learn more.

• Michelle Reid – Arts Programme Manager

Waterlicht (October)

Responding to the pressing risk of rising sea levels brought on by global warming, Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde will transform an area deep within Connemara into a virtual underwater world. Connemara has long been on my list of places to explore. With the prospect of being enveloped in a virtual flood in the depths of Connemara, as well as confronting the ever-growing threat of climate change in an immersive installation, I could see no better way to develop and deepen my connection with this beautiful landscape. Click here to learn more.

To see the full Galway 2020 programme click here

Picture Jason Clarke

Business to Arts’ current strategic plan (2018-2023) outlines our ambition to increase our Corporate & Arts Affiliate membership across Ireland. As a non-profit organisation with a national remit, we recognise and acknowledge the fundraising and development challenges faced by regional artists and cultural organisations. Restricted access to training and networking events impedes the development and implementation of fundraising strategies for these individuals/organisations. We are currently working to increase our presence in cities and regions outside Dublin to combat these challenges.

To increase our engagement with regional Corporates and Arts Affiliates we are currently implementing the following activities:

Increasing our presence in Munster & Connacht

From January 2020 Business to Arts will be in the Cork/Munster region one day per month and are available to meet with companies/individuals interested in connecting with members of the team. We will also be working in Galway one day per month from April to August. Fundit.ie, Business to Arts’ crowdfunding platform for creatives will also host a number of regional workshops throughout 2020.

Business to Arts’ AR Programme

The AR Programme covers a broad spectrum of activity, with programmes involving community engagement, staff engagement and work-place creative activities by host companies and artists. We work with companies and artists to create programmes that engage staff and local communities through arts participation. Currently, programmes include ‘SOAR’ at NUIG supported by LK Shields, ‘Harmony’ at the Mid-West Simon Community Family Hub, Limerick supported by BHP Insurance and ‘Calling Home’ at The Ludgate Hub, Skibbereen. Learn more about our AR Programme here

New Stream & capacity building

New Stream is our long-term, capacity-building programme for arts and cultural organisations. A key strand, Fundraising Fellowship Ireland, provides matched funding and a two-year professional development programme for arts fundraisers and their organisations. In total, the investment from this programme is valued at €80,000 per organisation. Cork Film Festival and Druid Theatre have recently completed the programme. Read case studies on both organisations here. We will announce the next two organisations to participate on the programme early next month.

Did you know?

Arts Affiliates

In 2019, our annual regional Arts Affiliate membership increased by 8%. Currently, the largest number of Arts Affiliates are based in Dublin, Galway, Cork and Limerick respectively.

Fund it Regional Statistics

Between 2011 and 2019, over 1,500 projects have been funded through Fund it. 55.7% of projects were based in Dublin, 11.5% from Cork, 8.2% from Galway.

If you are an artist or cultural organisation interested in meeting with a member of the Business to Arts team please contact Michelle at michelle@businesstoarts.ie

If you are a business interested in meeting with a member of the Business to Arts team please contact Eileen at eileen@businesstoarts.ie

Mentors/Artists Liam De Frinse and Brid Higgins Ni ChinnŽide. Photographer: 1IMAGE/Bryan Brophy

Business to Arts are very happy to work with EZ Films & TG4 on the TV series ‘Creative Company’. The new arts-based competition 6-part series airs on TG4 on Thursday evenings at 9.30pm. Working with an artist, ten Irish companies take on the challenge of creating a piece of large-scale public art.

The project is judged by a team of expert art critics, Evelyn O’Rourke, Broadcaster RTÉ; Caomhán Mac Con Iomaire, National Gallery of Ireland; and Helen Carroll, Business to Arts.

Watch the episodes here:

• Episode 1: The Gleneagle Hotel versus Maurice Ward
• Episode 2: Circle K versus Dingle Hub
• Episode 3:  Standún versus Energia
• Episode 4: Donegal Yarns versus Raidió na Life
• Episode 5: Big O Taxi’s versus Donegal ETB
• Episode 6:Grand Final

Business to Arts welcomes the launch of Culture 2025 – A National Cultural Policy Framework to 2025 by Minister Josepha Madigan TD and the Department of Culture, Heritage & Galetacht on Jan 10, 2020.

Culture 2025 sets the direction for Government policy across the cultural sector, including the arts, the Irish language and the creative, heritage and audiovisual sectors.  It details the Government’s aspirations for these areas and how these aspirations can be achieved.

Key actions contained within Culture 2025 include:

• Increasing access to and participation in the arts and boosting our creative industries;
• Working collaboratively to enable the creative potential of every child and young person;
• Investing in our Gaeltacht and supporting the Irish language;
• Supporting traditional culture and securing global recognition for unique Irish cultural traditions;
• And protecting and promoting Ireland’s natural habitats and biodiversity;

Business to Arts welcomes the Government’s commitment to double the amount of public funding for arts and culture by 2025 to €576m.

We also welcome the Government commitment to “encouraging strong, mutually beneficial links between the business and arts community.” As part of this commitment, Government states it will “examine ways to further promote private investment across the cultural sector.” The overall aim of this policy is to ensure that both public and private sector funding for the cultural sector rests on a solid base, which will enable the Sector to protect and harness our cultural heritage.

You can read Culture 2025 – A National Cultural Policy Framework to 2025 here.

For further information see

Culture 2025 – Discussion Document (Published in 2015) 

Progressing Philanthropy in the Arts in Ireland – read Andrew Hetherington’s opinion piece in VitalSigns_2019 (P.17)

Arts, Festival and Music Sponsorship Market in Ireland – read our 2019 research report here

We are delighted to announce that Tony Lawless has been appointed to the board of Business to Arts.

Tony Lawless is Managing Director of Irish Life Corporate Business. Irish Life Corporate Business is the Group Pension market leader in Ireland providing pension and protection benefits to over 500,000 employees and is part of the broader Irish Life Group with over 3,500 employees in Dublin.

Tony began his career with Irish Life over 25 years ago, and has carried out a number of key Senior Management roles with a particular focus in sales, marketing and product areas.

Tony graduated from Trinity College Dublin with BBS Degree and an MBA from DCU, and is currently on the board of the Life Assurance Association.

Robert Upton, Walkers Ireland, with Alex Tcaciuc, CBS Westland Row TY student and Kate Nolan, during a collaborative workshop in St Stephen’s Green, 2019. Picture: Andrew Hegarty.

Business to Arts have completed an evaluation report of our AR Programmes. The report was undertaken by Business to Arts, with support from Pat Kitterick (past Assistant Chief Inspector with Department of Education). It presents an overview of two Dublin Docklands based programmes, and the benefits of participating in an AR Programme for artists, companies, and community organisations.

Recommendations for future AR Programmes are suggested, based on collective experience, and independent evaluation of the residencies. The publication is provided to inform future AR Programmes, artists, community organisations, and businesses who are interested in developing an AR Programme. They provide:

• A new revenue stream / enhanced revenue for an artist
• A programme / curriculum content for community partners
• A structure to create or enhance a CSR programme for a company

To read the report click here. Should you need added layers of insight, please contact us at info@businesstoarts.ie

Conductor Alice Farnham with participants of the NCH Female Conductor Programme 2018/2019 in partnership with Grant Thornton

Today, Business to Arts published the 2019 Arts, Festivals and Music Sponsorship – Summary Report, following on from the success of the recent 28^th Business to Arts Awards held at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in September. The annual report, launched at the National Concert Hall, was published by Business to Arts from data supplied by sponsorship and marketing managers from the corporate and cultural sector. This report adds to the advocacy organisation’s research and insight services providing an enhanced layer of analysis for sponsors, rightsholders and the public about this segment of the sponsorship market.

The report looks at objectives that differentiate arts, festivals and music sponsorship over other types. It looks at sponsorships that are both one-off event relationships or multi-annual partnerships; sponsorship spend between 2018 and 2019; as well as anticipated spend in 2020; methods used to activate relationships and how success is measured.

Key outputs include:

• Sponsors would choose an arts sponsorship over another type of sponsorship because it increases awareness of an organisations brand (84%); engages staff (61%) or creates unique events/experiences for a variety of stakeholders (73%)
• Sponsors surveyed report that in 2020, 41% will increase their spend
• The most popular forms of activating sponsorships in the arts, festivals and music include branded signage, PR, printed literature and advertising (77%), digital campaign’s (73%) and staff engagement activities (61%)
• All respondents were asked to nominate brands that they feel are best-in-class in their engagements with culture, and Accenture, Virgin Media, Dublin Port Company, Bord Gáis Energy, Laya Healthcare are among those identified

Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive of Business to Arts stated:

“Although there is mixed sentiment in the market, it is encouraging to see that 91% of respondents say that their sponsorship spend will remain the same or increase in 2020. Brands such as Virgin Media and Dublin International Film Festival and Bord Gáis Energy and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre that invest in leveraging their sponsorships through additional activation spend are leading the way for others”.

To access the report please click here. If you are a corporate member or arts affiliate please contact michelle@businesstoarts.ie to receive your free access code. 

Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive, Business to Arts and Minister Josepha Madigan T.D with business participants Emmet Scully, Managing Partner, LK Shields, Adrienne Harrington, Chief Executive, The Ludgate Hub and Martina Westphal, Managing Director, BHP Insurances beside artist James Kirwan’s installation, Portal to a Vague Place. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.

We are delighted to announce the three artists who have been selected to participate in the AR Programme. The AR Programme is a partnership between Business to Arts and the Creative Ireland Programme’s National Creativity Fund, working with businesses to develop new (or significantly enhance their existing) CSR activity. The AR Programme covers a broad spectrum of activity, with programmes involving community engagement, staff engagement and work-place creative activities by the host companies and artists.

The AR Programme will see the following activity take place:

• SOAR (success overcoming all resistance) is the ‘LK Shields AR Programme’ taking place in Galway city. Theatre practitioner James Riordan has been selected to work with Access Students in NUI Galway, and members of LK Shields staff, facilitating performance-based and education-based workshops. The aim is to help participants develop leadership, presentation and collaborative skills. Learn more here.
• Harmony is the ‘BHP Insurances AR Programme’ taking place in Limerick city. Concert pianist Máire Carroll has been selected to work with families living in the Mid West Simon Community Family Hub. Máire will also work with BHP Insurances staff, facilitating performance-based and education-based activities and workshops. The workshops are designed to develop appreciation of music among all participants. Learn more here.
• Calling Home is ‘The Ludgate Hub AR Programme’ taking place in Skibbereen. Local Artist Toma McCullim will work with Skibbereen Luncheon Club, Community Day Centre and Community Hospital and members of The Ludgate Hub staff. This programme of activity uses technology to connect older diaspora across the world with their peers in West Cork. Learn more here.

For any queries or more information, please contact Eileen.

Business to Arts is commencing a second round of the 24-month Fundraising Fellowship, Ireland programme in partnership with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Fundraising Fellowship, Ireland will offer two cultural organisations 50% part-funding toward the employment of full-time ‘Fundraising’ or ‘Marketing & Fundraising’ human resources over a 24-month period. The recruited Fellows will be supported by a structured programme of training and mentorship with Business to Arts as part of the Fellowship. The aim is to equip the recruited fellows and their cultural organisations with skills to build fundraising capacity in their organisations.

Grants will be for a maximum of €15,000 per annum over a 24 month period and are aimed at part-subsidising the cost of full-time or contracted (minimum two-year) Fundraising or Marketing & Fundraising Executive.

For Business to Arts and the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, the overall objective of the Fundraising Fellowship, Ireland is:

• To continue and enhance prior investment by national and regional cultural organisations in the development of human resources and capacity building
• To create stronger cultural organisations who are committed to long term sustainability, based on business minded planning and a cultural strategy
• To facilitate cultural organisations in gaining knowledge so they can leverage and increase resources in a long-term and sustainable way thereby maintaining and improving their longevity
• To address the 6 key barriers identified in the 6-year review of New Stream programme review 2016 http://www.businesstoarts.ie/newstream/

Druid Theatre, Cork Film Festival and Dublin Theatre Festival (under Fundraising Fellowship Dublin in partnership with Dublin City Council Culture Company) are organisations currently completing the programme. Past participants under Fundraising Fellowship, Dublin include Helium Arts, Temple Bar Gallery + Studies & Fishamble: A New Play Company.

For full details & to apply please click here.

Fundraising Fellowship, Ireland is a partnership between Business to Arts & the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht.

Pictured launching the event are l-r: Andrew Hetherington, CEO, Business to Arts; Fionnuala Croke, Director, Chester Beatty and Feargal O’Rourke, Managing Partner, PwC. Picture Jason Clarke

PwC and Business to Arts will host their annual CEO Forum this coming Thursday, 26 September, to bring corporate and cultural leaders together to shine the spotlight on empowering the consumer through digital technology.  Through case studies, the event will explore how emerging technologies such such as augmented reality and artificial intelligence can bring the customer experience to new levels. PwC research has revealed that over three-quarters (77%) of Irish business leaders are of the view that Artificial intelligence will significantly change how they will do business in the next five years, but more investment is needed. The CEO Forum will showcase examples of companies whose business strategy involves putting their consumer more in control of their content, artefacts and consumables. Panellists will include Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development, Fáilte Ireland; Fionnuala Croke, Director, Chester Beatty; Geraldine Heavey, Executive Director, Enterprise Services, ESB and David Lee, Technology Partner, PwC.  The event will take place at PwC.

At this year’s judging day in The Merrion Hotel were: (from left) Gerard McNaughton, TileStyle; Donal O’Donovan, Independent News & Media; Antonia McTaggart, Facebook; Robert McEvoy, Allianz Ireland; Rachel Hussey, Arthur Cox; Andrew Hetherington, Business to Arts; Petal Pilley, Blue Teapot Theatre Company. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography

The standard of partnerships in the Allianz Business to Arts Awards is continually rising and judges this year were really taken with the quality of activity and thought that went into the shortlisted projects

“Fusing business and the arts facilitates artists and makes both businesses and arts organisations think differently. The Allianz Business to Arts Awards shortlist demonstrates this. There are so many worthwhile projects which have resulted in wonderful experiences and creations that give back to the community in fantastic ways.” – Rachel Hussey, head of business development and client relations at Arthur Cox.

“The teams on the shortlist have real interest in what they’re doing. Staff are invigorated by their involvement in the collaborative projects and the nourishing two-way exchanges are bringing about something more sustainable than was originally envisaged. The consideration of what a community needed or wanted was quite evident in a lot of partnerships. You could see that this was genuine from both the businesses and arts organisations.” – Petal Pilley, CEO and artistic director, Blue Teapot Theatre Company

For first-time judges Rachel Hussey, head of business development and client relations at Arthur Cox and Petal Pilley, CEO and artistic director of Blue Teapot Company, the judging process was an eye-opener in terms of the extent and diversity of business and arts collaboration going on around the country.

“It was a fantastic experience to see the amazing work that is happening. I was so impressed by how partnerships give back to the community, in both innovative and sustainable ways. Even the smallest of businesses can have a really big impact in their communities and can facilitate artists to access wider audiences,” says Hussey.

One of the things that struck Hussey was how imaginative both business and arts partners are in relation to the types of experiences and creations they come up with. “I really like Waterford Walls International Street Art Festival with Colourtrend, as this has made a real and lasting artistic impact on the local community,” she says.

“Children’s Books Ireland [CBI] has also done some really great work around encouraging children to read. A number of businesses have collaborated with CBI across various projects, including KPMG, Brown Bag Films and Coca-Cola.”

Always a big supporter of Irish visual art in particular, Arthur Cox worked closely with Business to Arts two years ago when it moved its headquarters to a new building on Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin. “We had amassed a lot of artworks over the years and the collection wasn’t being displayed in the best way possible. Business to Arts helped us to do that in our new premises,” explains Hussey.

Sustainability in supporting the arts is important to Arthur Cox and Hussey was impressed by the efforts of businesses in the shortlist in this regard. “There are some excellent commissioning practices in relation to working with artists to develop bespoke art for buildings. Businesses are taking part in initiatives seen by a huge variety of people which improve living and working environments in imaginative ways.”

Remarking on the breadth of projects, Pilley noticed a strong emphasis on addressing gender imbalance through art in the Allianz Business to Arts Awards shortlist. “There are more and more collaborative projects in the past few years which invest in the promotion of positive images of women and the advancement of women as emerging artists. In this year’s shortlist, the Female Conductors Programme and Women on Walls were particularly impressive to me.”

Blue Teapot is a relatively small theatre company, which has previously won a number of Allianz Business to Arts Awards. Pilley was the 2014 winner of the TileStyle Bursary for Artists. In this year’s shortlist, she observed that businesses and arts organisations have become much more considered about who they partner with and are putting a lot of effort into finding ‘the right fit’.

“There are some ingenious pairings between businesses and theatre companies which involve healthy risk taking. Businesses are taking a punt and backing innovative projects, such as Irish Rail’s support of ‘A Play for Ireland’ by Fishamble: The New Play Company and Dublin Port Company’s commissioning of Bitter Like a Lemon to produce ‘In our Veins’,” she notes.

This article features in the 2019 Allianz Business to Arts Awards Sunday Independent supplement published on Sept 8th 2019.

Conductor, Alice Farnham, winners of the Best Large Sponsorship Category with the ‘Female Conductor Programme’ at the 2019 Allianz Business to Arts Awards pictured with Paul Jacobs, Partner, Grant Thornton and Sean McGrath, Chief Executive, Allianz (right), celebrating the 2019 Allianz Business to Arts Awards which took place at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on Sept 3rd. Pic. Robbie Reynolds

Dublin Port Company, Grant Thornton, Farmgate Café and McGarrell Reilly were among the winners in 11 categories at the 28^th annual Allianz Business to Arts Awards ceremony at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on September 3rd.

The 2019 Allianz Business to Arts Awards received significant levels of entries in its 28th year, showcasing a diverse range of creative partnerships incorporating architecture, dance, design, film, music, literature, theatre and visual art. This year saw increasing regional activity, community engagement and long-term partnerships that are evolving through diverse activation campaigns.

Over €8.5m was spent on arts sponsorships submitted. The Awards recognise businesses, artists and arts organisations that develop creative partnerships and bring businesses and the arts into mutually beneficial relationships across society. The evening was a celebration of the most innovative and creative partnerships in Ireland in 2018/2019.

The 2019 Allianz Business to Arts Awards Winners are:

Leading the congratulations among over 500 business and arts leaders at the theatre was Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, Cavan-Monaghan Heather Humphreys, TD.

Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation said:

“The relationship between business and the arts, demonstrated by these Business to Arts Awards, enables businesses to be more innovate, more creative, and ultimately deliver meaningful impact for society. Businesses increasingly understand that it is not just economic impact that matters. More and more are coming to understand that a sustainable and successful business is one that has a good CSR strategy at its core.

I want to congratulate all of the businesses and arts organisations that have participated in the Business to Arts Awards this year and hope that these wonderful partnerships will continue to grow and flourish in the future. My goal through Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility is to make Ireland a Centre of Excellence for responsible and sustainable business practice. These Awards make a very important contribution to achieving that goal and I’m sure it will help to inspire more exciting collaborations between business and the arts.”

Speaking at the announcement of the winners, Sean McGrath, CEO of Allianz Ireland, said:

“For the last 19 years, the Allianz Business to Arts Awards have remained a source of inspiration to us all at Allianz and the 2019 awards have lived up to the high standards set across the many years of their existence.  Yet again we are impressed by the significant mutual benefits derived by both business and arts organisations through their innovative collaborations. Of growing importance within this powerful initiative are the community and wider societal benefits enjoyed by us all when business and arts organisations partner to achieve some truly amazing results. By showcasing what is achieved, the annual Allianz Business to Arts Awards remind us that we are all winners of this truly extraordinary process of collaboration” 

Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive of Business to Arts, said:

‘With our partners Allianz, we are delighted to celebrate the 2019 Allianz Business to Arts Awards wining partnerships. These relationships are proof that businesses in Ireland are increasingly looking to arts and culture to address business opportunities and societal challenges. Encouraging creativity is at the core of many of the winning projects. Business to Arts’ flagship event continues to enable, develop and support creative partnerships. We call on businesses across Ireland to engage with their arts and cultural neighbours.’

The awards recognise large, mid-sized, small and long-term sponsorships, staff engagement activities, commissioning, corporate social responsibility programme, community engagement and portfolio-based partnerships.

For the 28th anniversary of the Allianz Business to Arts Awards, the awards sculpture once again has been commissioned by daa. This year’s sculpture ‘Symbiotic’ was created by Mayo based artist Emma Bourke.

Mayo based artist Emma Bourke, Vincent Harrison, Managing Director, Dublin Airport and Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive, Business to Arts unveil ‘Symbiotic’, this years limited edition awards sculpture commissioned by daa for the 28th year. Picture Conor McCabe Photography.

Each year daa generously commission an artist to create a suite of sculptures which are awarded to the Allianz Business to Arts Awards winning companies. The commission is now in its 28th year. This year, Mayo based glass artist Emma Bourke was commissioned to create the 2019 limited edition awards sculpture, ‘Symbiotic’.

Speaking about her piece, Emma said,

‘An awareness of our heritage is essential to understand our identity and to contextualise our cultures. My research into botanical mythology helps me appreciate how communities have developed. It enables me to construct a sense of place within increasingly international systems of communication and visual information.

‘Symbiotic’, a new work created for the Allianz Business to Arts Awards, refers to the complex relationship between people and plants. Essential to successful ecosystems, a rapport between the two allows both to thrive: from seed migration to cultivation to medicinal uses; from local to global contexts. Successful ecologies emerge, with people working together to develop results.

The bond between people and plants forms the basis of many tales and customs handed down through the ages: from the Foxglove’s association to fairies to a bride carrying her bouquet. Storytelling has commonly been used to pass on knowledge about plants through generations of people and my research for ‘Symbiotic’ draws upon this as my main resource.

‘Symbiotic’ is based on a wild flower known as Scarlet Pimpernel, a notorious poisonous plant that has traditional uses for treatment of the liver, jaundice, dropsy and depression. This bright, pretty plant which brings joy and eases pain is dangerous if used incorrectly, so it bears an abhorrent reputation. Drawing inspiration from Scarlet Pimpernel’s combination of beauty, danger and healing coinciding in one plant, I designed the flowers in Symbiotic using a similar pattern of five petals with golden stamen.

I took a scientific approach when creating the petals and branches in glass, to scrutinise the physicality, scale and fragility of the original Scarlet Pimpernel plant. Recreating the physical form of the plant in another material, such as glass, is another way to pass down information about a plant. ‘Symbiotic’ is made from two materials only: glass and wood. Both materials are timeless and sustainable, it’s important to me that I create works that exist both then and now; that speak both of our history and presence in 2019.’

If you would like to book tickets for this event, please complete the booking form here.

If you have any questions, please contact the Allianz Business to Arts Awards team.

Sean McGrath, CEO, Allianz; Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive, Business to Arts and Victoria McCormack, Macnas at Dublin Castle. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.

The 2019 Allianz Business to Arts Awards received significant levels of entries in its 28^th year, showcasing a diverse range of creative partnerships incorporating architecture, dance, design, film, music, literature, theatre and visual art. This year saw high levels of entries from increased regional activity, community engagement and long-term partnerships that continue to evolve through diverse activation campaigns.

The 2019 Allianz Business to Arts Awards will be presented on September 3^rd at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.  The awards recognise businesses, artists and arts organisations that develop creative partnerships. The shortlist shows strong collaboration between business and arts focused on sponsorship, staff engagement, commissioning, CSR initiatives and community engagement. Many of the collaborations are the result of long-term relationships.

Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive of Business to Arts, said:

“Each year our Awards recognise the most outstanding examples of creative partnerships between the corporate and creative communities. On an annual basis we are inspired by the ever-growing levels of creativity, partnership and commitment displayed through our Awards shortlist. As we strive to achieve our organisations mission of enabling and developing best practice creative partnerships, we look forward to celebrating our shortlist and winners on September 3^rd with our partners, members and friends’.

Commenting on this year’s entries, Sean McGrath, CEO of Allianz Ireland, said:

“Yet again we are delighted and inspired by the scale and diversity of nominations in this year’s Allianz Business to Arts Awards.  Literature, architecture, design, dance, theatre, film, music and visual art are all represented through both new and long term partnerships between Arts and Business organisations.  Also, greater community involvement and an ever growing regional bias are welcomed as the benefits of    corporate and cultural collaboration are enjoyed across the country.”

For the 28^th year, the award sculpture has been commissioned by daa. This year’s award, ‘Symbiotic’ was created by Dublin based artist Emma Bourke who states:

“My research into botanical mythology helps me appreciate how communities have developed. It enables me to construct a sense of place within increasingly international systems of communication and visual information. Symbiotic, refers to the complex relationship between people and plants. Essential to successful ecosystems, a rapport between the two allows both to thrive, similar to that of a creative partnership between arts and business: from seed migration to cultivation to medicinal uses; from local to global contexts. Successful ecologies emerge, with people working together to develop results.”

The winners of the 2019 Allianz Business to Arts Awards will be announced on September 3rd at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.

The Allianz Business to Arts Awards 2019 Shortlist:

Best Large Sponsorship – over €50,000 value

• Dublin Port Company, Bitter Like A Lemon & Abbey Theatre for ‘In Our Veins’
• Grant Thornton & National Concert Hall for ‘Female Conductor Programme’
• RCSI & Accenture with various artists for ‘Women on Walls at RCSI’
• University College Cork & Cork Opera House for ‘Creating Together’

Best Mid-Size Sponsorship – over €15,000 – €50,000 value

• Arup & Crawford Art Gallery Cork for ‘Earth, Wind and Fire: Made in Cork Contemporary’
• BNP Paribas Group Ireland & Helium Arts
• Cartoon Saloon & Butler Gallery for ‘The Breadwinner Exhibition’
• Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards in association with TileStyle

Best Small Sponsorship – €15,000 value and under

• Coca-Cola Ireland & Children’s Books Ireland for ‘Family Hubs Libraries’
• Farmgate Café & the Munster Literature Centre for the ‘Farmgate Café National Poetry Award’
• Irish Rail & Fishamble for ‘A Play For Ireland’
• Medtronic & Baboró International Arts Festival for Children for ‘Creative Connections’

Best Long Term Partnership

• Avolon & Royal Hibernian Academy for ‘Avolon Global Studio Award’
• Bord Gáis Energy & Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
• ESB & the National Gallery of Ireland for ‘ESB Centre for the Study of Irish Art’
• Medtronic & Baboró International Arts Festival for Children for ‘Creative Connections’

 Best Use of Creativity in the Community

• AIB & Docklands Business Forum for ‘Docklands Volunteer Day’
• Algorithm & James Earley with various businesses for ‘Perpetua’
• Colourtrend & Waterford Walls International Street Art Festival
• Dublin Airport & National College of Art and Design for ‘Creative Journeys’

 Best Creative Staff Engagement

• A&L Goodbody & Suas for ‘Literacy Support Programme’
• Axonista & Irish Film Institute for ‘IFI Player’
• Deloitte & Maria Quinlan for ‘Photovoice Project’
• Walkers Ireland & Kate Nolan for ‘Walkers Photographer-in-Residence’

Jim McNaughton Perpetual Award for Best Commissioning Practice

• Behaviour and Attitudes & Graphic Studio Dublin for ‘The Works – 30 years of the B&A/Graphic Studio Dublin Commission’
• Cairn Homes & Eileen MacDonagh for ‘Eyes for You’
• Dublin Airport & National College of Art and Design for ‘Creative Journeys’
• McGarrell Reilly Group & Alva Gallagher for ‘Rise’

Judges’ Special Recognition Award for Portfolio of Investment

• Avolon for ‘Global Studio Award and Youthreach Art Programme’ at Royal Hibernian Academy and partnerships with Abbey Theatre and Druid Theatre
• Arup for ‘New Now Next’ with Irish Architecture Foundation and ‘Earth, Wind and Fire: Made in Cork Contemporary’ with Crawford Art Gallery Cork
• Children’s Books Ireland for ‘Book-gifting’ with KPMG, ‘Bookbag’ with Brown Bag Films, and ‘Family Hubs Libraries’ with Coca-Cola Ireland
• Dublin Port Company for ‘Starboard Home Documentary’ with Moira Sweeney, Spirit Level Productions and South Paw Pictures, ‘In Our Veins’ with Bitter Like A Lemon & Abbey Theatre and ‘Dublin City Public Art Programme’

 Allianz Community Art Award

• Colourtrend & Waterford Walls International Street Art Festival
• Cork Film Festival for ‘Illuminate’ and ‘Intinn’
• Fishamble: The New Play Company for ‘Silent’
• SUBSET for ‘Grey Area Project’

At this year’s judging day in The Merrion Hotel were: (from left) Gerard McNaughton, TileStyle; Donal O’Donovan, Independent News & Media; Antonia McTaggart, Facebook; Robert McEvoy, Allianz Ireland; Rachel Hussey, Arthur Cox; Andrew Hetherington, Business to Arts; Petal Pilley, Blue Teapot Theatre Company. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography

Members of this year’s Jury Panel were:

• Rachel Hussey – ‎Head of Business Development, Partner, Arthur Cox (Chair)
• Antonia McTaggart – Client Partner, Facebook
• Donal O’Donovan – Business Editor, Irish Independent at Independent News & Media
• Gerard McNaughton – Retail Director, TileStyle
• Petal Pilley – Director, Blue Teapot Theatre
• Robert McEvoy – Head of Market Management, Allianz

For ticket information please contact awards@businesstoarts.ie

      Máire Carroll performing with 2nd class pupils in Ringsend GNS

Concert pianist Máire Carroll is one of three recipients of the 2018 Docklands Arts Fund Small Grants, for her project ‘Hidden Pianos: Workshop’.

Máire is an international concert pianist who has performed throughout Europe, Asia, North America and Canada. She is also the recipient of the Jim McNaughton/TileStyle Bursary for Artists (Allianz Business to Arts Awards, 2015) and the 2012 winner of the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Music Bursary.

‘Hidden Pianos: Workshop’ is aimed at bringing contemporary and classical music to new audiences in unexpected places. Máire worked with 2^nd class pupils in Ringsend GNS to engage and encourage them to explore music, and together they composed a piece of music titled ‘Onboard’. For information on Máire’s other work, please see her website here.

Commenting on her Docklands Arts Fund experience, Máire says:

 “In April 2019, I began my Hidden Pianos: Workshop in Ringsend GNS, with an excitable classroom of children curious to know more about the piano and composing, and what writing their own piece of music would entail. Over the course of four sessions and a performance, we composed our self-titled piece ‘Onboard’, detailing the journey of second class from Dublin Port to Australia by boat.

From the beginning of the project, the students were heavily involved in choosing the topic and the characters for our piece. They decided how the story would develop and were encouraged by me in the various musical aspects of composing the piece, which included picking the melody and instrumental lines. Each week the students would arrive in from the yard after lunch chanting the words and melodies of the songs that had stayed with them despite only having learnt them the week before. I deemed this a huge success after week one and was thrilled with their passion for the project and their continuous enthusiasm.

The level of imagination that developed over the course of the month working with the class was inspiring and at times very moving. One by one a hand would raise and someone would have a new idea or suggestion. All suggestions were considered and together we discussed how we wanted our piece to sound. How can we make the sound of a ship? What instruments might be suitable? Whose help might we need once we’re onboard the ship, will we meet anyone along the journey?

Our opening song ‘Where are we going, what will we see?’ was sung with such passion and commitment. To enhance their excitement of having created a musical piece of their own, l arranged for a flautist and a French horn player to join me for the final performance in May. The students loved being introduced to these instruments and hearing ‘Onboard’ come to life with different musical effects from both performers. They all agreed that the French horn made the music come alive by making frightening monster sounds when we were all onboard the ship.

My only wish with this project was that we could have had more than four sessions which would have resulted in being able to develop the piece further, and most importantly continue to nurture and develop the confidence and talent in these young students. I am incredibly grateful to the Docklands Art Fund for this opportunity to share my love of the piano and composing with Ringsend GNS and l am delighted to have encouraged a musical spark in the classroom with ‘Onboard’.“

Visual artist Fergal McCarthy, ‘No Man’s Land’. Image: Andreas Pettersson

Visual artist Fergal McCarthy is one of the three recipients of the 2018 Docklands Arts Fund Small Grants.

Fergal is a visual artist living in Dublin, who originally worked as a painter but in recent years has widened his practice to include installations, photography and film.

He has spent several months researching source material relating to the Dublin Docklands area to create a book, which delivers an engaging and humorous account of the story of the Docklands. This book was distributed without cost to local primary schools in the Docklands area, with Fergal hosting presentations of the project to school pupils.  For information on Fergal’s other work, please see his website here.

Commenting on the Docklands Arts Fund, and working on his project ‘Dublin’s First Port of Call’, Fergal says:

 “Since I moved to Dublin almost 20 years ago I have been fascinated by the Liffey, I refuse to see it in any way that doesn’t involve rose-coloured glasses. I have worked on many art projects over the years responding to the river including ‘Liffeytown’, a small estate of red and green Monopoly-style houses moored on the river for a fortnight and ‘No Man’s Land’, a floating desert island in the Docklands that became my temporary home for a week.

By being awarded a grant from the Docklands Arts Fund, I was enabled to shift my interest in the Liffey further down river to Dublin Port. I spent several happy months reading into the history and geography of Dublin Port and making visits to the area to chat with former dock workers about their time in the port. By the end of my research I was considering moving house to Ringsend just so I could watch the ships come and go all day and maybe join a rowing club. All the information I gathered became the basis of a little book of cartoon-style drawings detailing Dublin Port’s back story. I got to tell such stories as the unexpected formation of Bull Island, Captain Bligh’s commissioning of the North Wall, the shipwrecks on the Kish Sandbank and the Diving Bell’s usage to deepen Dublin Port.

On completion I printed up several hundred copies of my little book, Dublin’s First Port of Call. These books were distributed freely to primary schools in the Dublin Port area which I visited to conduct workshops and readings. I’m glad to report that in the course of ten workshops only one child managed to fall asleep! Most of the children I met in the schools had parents and grandparents who worked in Dublin Port, and they shared their experience of living in a Docklands community. I was pleasantly surprised that many of the pupils I worked with knew far more about Dublin Port than I do. Retired Dockers had already spoken to them in their schools and Fighting Words had initiated writing projects in response to the port and the local environment. The Docklands communities have an incredibly rich history, and I am incredibly grateful to the Docklands Arts Fund for providing me with this opportunity to respond to it with this book.“

Pictured (l-r) at the announcement of the businesses taking part in the match-funded Artist in Residence (AR) Programme with Creative Ireland’s National Creativity Fund and Business to Arts were Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive, Business to Arts and Minister Josepha Madigan T.D. with business participants Martina Westphal, Managing Director, BHP Community, Adrienne Harrington, Chief Executive, The Ludgate Hub and Emmet Scully, Managing Partner, LK Shields beside artist James Kirwan’s installation, ‘Portal to a Vague Place’, in the RHA Gallery. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.

Business to Arts announced the three companies selected to take part in the Artist-in-Residence (AR) Programme, one of 30 initiatives supported as part of the Creative Ireland Programme’s National Creativity Fund.  Expressions of interest were sought from businesses interested in developing new (or significantly enhance their existing) CSR activity through the AR Programme.

The three businesses selected include:

• BHP Insurances (Dublin): BHP Insurances will work with a piano musician to develop a combination of performance and education based initiatives for clients in the not-for-profit sector.
• LK Shields (Galway): LK Shields will work with a performance-based artist, to explore ways of using performance techniques to develop presentation skills and leadership skills, focusing on working with third-level students to prepare them for entering the workforce, and to overcome barriers to progressing their chosen career.
• The Ludgate Hub (Cork): Ludgate Hub will work with a local artist and local community of older people to connect with the older diaspora community through technology and creativity.

The AR Programme covers a broad spectrum of activity and opportunities for artists and companies. The selected programmes involve a minimum of twelve-months of community engagement, staff engagement or work-place creativity activities by the host companies and artists.

At the announcement, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan T.D., commented: “The all-of-Government Creative Ireland Programme is now two years in existence and already we are beginning to see the impact of key initiatives such as the National Creativity Fund.

Collaboration and community engagement are core principles of the Creative Ireland Programme and I am particularly pleased that we have supported the Business to Arts Artist-in-Residence (AR) initiative – which encourages and enables active partnerships between business, artists and local communities.

Through initiatives such as the AR Programme, we want to encourage ambition, risk and innovation by harnessing the incredible talent and passion of our artists, our creative communities and local business innovators.  I look forward to following the progress of these partnerships and sharing the outcomes of each as they come to fruition.”

Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive, Business to Arts, stated:

‘Alongside our Creative Ireland Programme partner, we are looking forward to working with BHP Insurance, The Ludgate Hub and LK Shields as we expand our AR Programme across other regions in Ireland. We look forward to working with these businesses, their resident artists and local community groups, fostering an environment of collaboration, learning and wellbeing through creative practice.’

Any artist interested in working with a company can join the Business to Arts register by emailing info@businesstoarts.ie.

Full details of the Open Call for artists are available here.