KPMG, The Irish Times, Dublin Port, NCAD and ESB/Electric Ireland were among the winners at the 24th annual Allianz Business to Arts Awards, presented at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
Finalists and eventual winners represented a broad range of artistic and business interests ranging from the theatre groups who use acting as way to explain complex issues to children to large financial services firms supporting young artists at third level.
The Allianz Business to Arts Awards recognise businesses, artists and arts organisations that develop creative partnerships, bringing the arts and artists into mutually beneficial relationships across society.
Brendan Murphy, CEO of Allianz said: “Creativity and the arts plays such a vital role in shaping the wellbeing of our society. The arts is essential to our national identity and contributes greatly to how we are perceived on the world stage.”
Andrew Hetherington, chief executive of Business to Arts, said: “Each winner has achieved incredible results with their partners. Nominations to this year’s Awards increased by 25% and represented €10 million worth of investment in the cultural sector in the past year.”
In Association with
Special Recognition Award
The jury panel singled out ESB/Electric Ireland for their extensive portfolio of engagements across the arts sectors, and the legacy of their investments in commissioning, awarding them the Judges’ Special Recognition Award.
Their partnerships range from Clare Memory Orchestra; Electric Picnic; Feis Ceoil Association; Martin Gale; the National Concert Hall; No. 29 The Georgian House Museum; and Science Gallery Dublin.
KPMG won the award for Best Creative Staff Engagement in relation to a partnership with St Michael's House. Following special training, KPMG teams worked to develop bespoke stories for children with intellectual disabilities that they could create a multi-sensory pack around.
The Best Small Sponsorship award went to PwC for its partnership with the National College of Art & Design.
Since 2012 PwC has worked with NCAD on its annual desk calendar. Students work closely with PwC gaining experience of working to a brief on commercial projects, meeting deadlines, communication and the importance of effective project planning. PwC distributed 28,000 calendars internationally, leading to increased enquiries from businesses interested in working with NCAD.
Andrew Hetherington (left), Brendan Murphy and PwC's Feargal O'Rourke (right) with Royal Ballet First Soloist, Mellisa Hamilton
