Pictured at the launch of the Business to Arts Awards 2026 are sponsors, Ronan Healy, Catapult, Meadhbh McClean, CBRE, Denise Charlton, Community Foundation Ireland, Jillian Saunders, ESB, Suzanne Linehan, Irish Life, Ger McNaughton, TileStyle & Louise O’Reilly, Business to Arts at Graphic Studio Dublin. Picture Andres Poveda Photography.
Applications are open from 3rd March to midnight on 16th April.
Business to Arts has today opened nominations for the 2026 Business to Arts Awards, marking the 34th year of celebrating purposeful partnerships between business and the arts in Ireland.
The Awards recognise companies and philanthropic organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to artists and arts organisations through sponsorship, grant-making, commissioning and long-term collaboration. Organisations of all sizes are encouraged to apply.
This year’s ceremony will take place on Monday, 7th September at the National Concert Hall, offering guests an opportunity to experience the iconic venue before it closes for renovations.
For full category, application details and FAQ, please see here
Our 2026 Leading Industry Partners
Business to Arts is proud to welcome back its valued Awards sponsors for 2026, whose continued support demonstrates the strength and resilience of arts and business collaboration in Ireland. Their ongoing commitment ensures the Awards remain the leading platform for recognising impactful and forward-thinking arts support across the country:
- CBRE Major Arts Partnership Award
- Community Foundation Ireland Arts Philanthropy Award
- ESB Creative Sustainability Award
- Irish Life Creativity in the Community Award
- The Irish Times Long-Term Partnership Award
- The Jim McNaughton/TileStyle €10,000 Artist’s Bursary
- Accenture €10,000 Digital Innovation in Art Bursary
- The Irish Times €5,000 Arts Award
- Catapult Awards Production Partner & Sculpture Commissioner
“ I'm incredibly proud to lead an organisation that champions the transformative power of creative partnerships. With our 34th year underway, the Business to Arts Awards will continue to spotlight collaborations that not only enrich Ireland’s cultural landscape but also drive community impact.”
Recognising Excellence Across 13 Categories
The 2026 Awards feature 13 categories in total spanning arts sponsorship, philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, access initiatives and community engagement — from emerging collaborations to long-standing partnerships with national reach.
In addition to the sponsored categories above, the Creative Access Award, Small Arts Partnership, and Creativity in the Workplace Award can also be applied for.
Judges will seek partnerships that demonstrate genuine collaboration, clear strategic alignment and meaningful investment of funding, time or expertise, alongside measurable benefit for artists, audiences and communities.
The annual Bursary Programme includes three monetary awards:
- The Jim McNaughton/TileStyle €10,000 Artist’s Bursary (now in its 18th year)
- The Accenture €10,000 Digital Innovation in Art Bursary (now in its fourth year)
- The Irish Times €5,000 Arts Award
Speaking about this year's call for nominations, Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland, said:
“Partnerships between philanthropy and the arts bring colour, energy and joy into lives and communities in every county. They open up access, they give voice to the voiceless, and they promote equality. Through the Community Foundation Ireland Art Philanthropy Award, we are recognising the power and creativity which happens when visionary artists and donors partner together for the benefit of the wider community.”
Jillian Saunders, Group Sponsorship Manager for ESB, said:
‘ESB has a long held belief in the power of the arts to inspire, transform and engage communities in positive change. ESB is proud to sponsor the Creative Sustainability Award for a second year, supporting creative partnerships that address themes of the climate crisis, circular economy, and the drive to a more sustainable future.’
Ronan Healy, Chief Executive, Catapult said:
“Catapult is delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with the Business to Arts Awards, now spanning 26 years. This year, we are thrilled to once again commission the annual Awards sculpture, a unique work that embodies the creativity, dedication, and collaboration at the heart of every project and partnership recognised at the Awards."
Gerry Butler, Managing Director, TileStyle said:
‘TileStyle is proud to support the arts through the Business to Arts Awards. We celebrate excellence in artistic commissioning with the Jim McNaughton/TileStyle Best Commissioning Practice Award and are delighted to back an Irish artist with the €10,000 Jim McNaughton/TileStyle Artist’s Bursary. By investing in the arts, we help foster creativity and enrich our communities, and we’re honoured to continue our partnership with the Business to Arts Awards.’
Tania Meighan, Head of Marketing, The Irish Times, said:
‘The Irish Times is delighted to sponsor the Long-Term Partnership Award as well as the Arts Award once again this year. Business to Arts Awards is a great celebration of the creativity of artists and arts organisations and as a long-time champion of the arts in Ireland, The Irish Times is committed to supporting collaboration between the business and arts communities.’
Oisin O’Shaughnessy, Managing Director, Irish Life, said:
‘Irish Life is delighted to continue our sponsorship of this year’s Business to Arts Awards. Investing in the arts within our own community is a privilege, and we are proud to support an event that recognises and celebrates outstanding creative achievement close to home.
Helping people across Ireland to build better futures is our core brand purpose, so the ethos of the Irish Life Best Creativity in the Community award is especially close to our hearts.
Creativity is crucial in business but also plays a vital role in elevating towns and cities across Ireland by inspiring us, championing vision and innovation and cultivating strong communities. It is an honour to be associated with this incredibly important category.’
Meadhbh McClean, Chief Operating Officer, CBRE, said:“At CBRE, we believe that strong partnerships between business and the arts play a vital role in creating vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities. The Business to Arts Awards celebrate collaborations that go beyond sponsorship to deliver meaningful cultural and social impact, and we are proud to continue supporting a platform that recognises ambition, creativity and long‑term commitment across the arts sector in Ireland.”
Corporates interested in demonstrating how they value the arts in Ireland should get in touch with Business to Arts to learn more.
