The Awards seek exceptional partnerships in areas such as sponsorship, commissioning, training and events, staff programmes, CSR initiatives, and community engagement, irrespective of the scale or financial value of the partnership.

In their evaluation, the judging panel consider the level of success and creativity in achieving both the business and arts organisations (or individual artist’s) objectives, the history behind the partnership and how the partnership has been successfully activated. The judging panel is looking for best practice or innovation, evidence of a strong collaboration and working relationship, and focuses on the impact achieved.

Bursary applications will be considered against the strength of the artist’s proposed project or the quality of the educational programme they wish to pursue, the artist’s previous experience, the support they receive from other funding bodies, and their ability to deliver on projects.

Judging Panel

The judging panel of up to 15 is selected annually to include representatives from the corporate supporters of the Business to Arts Awards, as well as independent leaders in the arts and representatives from the media.

Each entry is considered and scored independently by each judge via our Awardsforce platform before the panel meets in person for a chaired judging panel day where shortlisted applications are vigorously discussed and debated before a decision on the winning entries is made by majority vote.

Judges must declare any conflict of interest at the outset of each category discussion and must recuse themselves where their own organisation is shortlisted.