Business to Arts Awards 2024 opens nominations for outstanding creative partnerships
21 March 2024
Applications are open from 21st March to April 30th. The Business to Arts 2024 Awards will take place on Monday, 9th September at the National Concert Hall
Today, Business to Arts with some of its leading patrons launches its annual call for nominations for the 2024 Business to Arts Awards.
The prestigious Business to Arts Awards returns to recognise outstanding partnerships that have transformed the cultural landscape of Ireland in the past year. From businesses to philanthropic organisations and individuals, these awards highlight those private sector entities who have fostered exceptional partnerships with artists and arts organisations.
Accenture leads as Innovation Partner for the third year, and provider of the Digital Innovation in Arts €10,000 Bursary, underscoring its commitment to driving creativity and innovation in the arts. This year, Business to Arts welcomed a new sponsor, CBRE to support the ‘Major Arts Partnership’ category, recognising outstanding collaborations between businesses and arts organisations/artists where the sponsorship exceeds €25,000 cash or in-kind.
Meadhbh McClean, CBRE, speaking about joining the Awards as a sponsor:
“The role of artists and arts organisations in connecting communities is so important to us at CBRE. We are delighted and immensely proud to honour the remarkable collaborations shaping Ireland's cultural landscape.”
The National Concert Hall will host the Awards again, with leading events company Catapult as production partner for their 23rd year, ensuring a memorable event.
The Awards has a total of 12 categories in 2024 celebrating arts sponsorship, commissioning, philanthropy, staff engagement programmes, corporate social responsibility, access programmes, and creative community initiatives, ranging from small-scale initiatives to large-scale and long-term engagements with national reach.
Applications are welcomed from projects of all sizes and approaches within the criteria, with the judges looking to award relationships that show true collaboration between the partners, alongside a considered investment of funds, time, or expertise; innovative concepts or relationship models; fresh ideas, and genuine impact on the community, audiences, and wider society.
The annual Bursary programme at the Awards features three monetary prizes including the longest-running bursary, the Jim McNaughton/TileStyle €10,000 Artist’s Bursary, now in its 16th year; the annual daa €5,000 Arts Award inaugurated in 2002 and the Accenture €10,000 Digital Innovation in Art Bursary.
Speaking about kickstarting the nominations campaign with the Awards sponsors, Louise O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Business to Arts:
‘As we open for applications to the Business to Arts Awards 2024, we're invigorated by the overwhelming support of our sponsors. Their enthusiastic backing amplifies our mission to celebrate purposeful partnerships of all kinds between the corporate and cultural sectors.’
Corporates interested in demonstrating how they value the arts in Ireland should get in touch with Business to Arts to learn more. The closing date for Awards applications is midnight April 30th. Go to www.businesstoarts.ie/awards for information on the application process and to complete the online application form.
“ The Business to Arts Awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the enormous contributions made by the arts and cultural sectors in Ireland. We continue to be inspired by the creative ways in which Ireland’s corporate and cultural sectors collaborate to produce new ideas and are proud to be the Innovation Partner for the Awards once again.”
Meadhbh McClean, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director, CBRE Ireland
Sponsor Major Arts Partnership Award
'The role of artists and arts organisations in connecting communities is so important to us at CBRE. We are delighted and immensely proud to honour the remarkable collaborations shaping Ireland's cultural landscape.'
Cathy Burke, Head of Internal Communications, daa
Sponsor of the Awards sculpture and €5000 daa Arts Award
"daa is delighted to commission the award sculpture again, which is a representation of the close relationship between the corporate and arts partner. We are looking forward to reading the submissions, including those for the daa Arts Award, to see how the entrants have used creativity and vision to bring their partnerships to life"
Sarah Sharkey, Group Sponsorship & PR Manager, ESB
Sponsor ESB Creativity in the Workplace
‘As a long-time supporter of the arts in Ireland, ESB is delighted to once again sponsor the ESB Creativity in the Workplace Award. We know the vital role the arts can play in enriching our working life, fostering staff wellbeing and building a vibrant work environment. This category always delivers a diverse and innovative approach to using the arts to build healthy resilient businesses, and we look forward to the same high standard this year.’
Oisin O’Shaughnessy, Managing Director, Irish Life
Sponsor Irish Life Creativity in the Community Award
‘The Irish Life Best Creativity in the Community award is particularly meaningful for us. Helping people across Ireland to build better futures is our core purpose and drives everything we do, every single day, all across our business. Creativity is crucial in the business world, but we also know the vital role that creativity plays in inspiring, uplifting and cultivating better communities throughout the country. So, we are exceptionally proud to be shining a light on this incredibly important category.’
Gerry Butler, Managing Director, TileStyle
Sponsor Jim McNaughton/Tilestyle Best Commissioning Practice & €10,000 Artist Bursary
‘TileStyle greatly values the opportunity to support the arts and culture sector through the Business to Arts Awards. We applaud outstanding commissioning and are proud to offer €10,000 to aid the growth and advancement of an Irish-based artist. Investing in the arts enriches our society, and we are privileged to continue our support of the Business to Arts Awards.'
John McGrane, Co-founder, Kmend
Sponsor Arts Partnership Award
‘We are delighted to sponsor the Kmend Arts Partnership Award at the Business to Arts Awards 2024 and are eager to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of individuals and companies who have greatly impacted the arts community. We are thrilled to endorse this tribute to arts and culture, fostering connections and enhancing our collective experiences.’
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive, Community Foundation
Sponsor Creative Access Award
‘As Ireland’s philanthropic hub, Community Foundation is proud to once again sponsor “The Community Foundation Ireland Creative Access Award” and to acknowledge those who continue to break down barriers to make art, creative, and culture open to all.’
Ronan Healy. Chief Executive, Catapult
Production Partner
‘Catapult has proudly supported the Business to Arts Awards as their production partner for 23 years. Throughout the years, we've witnessed purposeful partnerships between Ireland's business and artistic communities become catalysts for positive change, enriching local communities and society as a whole. Championing purposeful creative and cultural initiatives has always been at the heart of Catapult and we're delighted to help showcase the outstanding partnerships that will be celebrated at this year's awards.’
Deirdre Veldon, Group Managing Director, The Irish Times
Media Partner
‘We are delighted once again to support Business to Arts Awards which celebrate the creativity of artists and arts organisations every year. As a long-time champion of the arts in Ireland, we are committed to supporting collaboration between the business and arts communities. We are very pleased to sponsor The Irish Times Long-Term Partnership Award.’
