Business to Arts Awards calls 2023 For Kilkenny entries

The Business to Arts Awards is Ireland’s only event that recognises excellence in creative partnerships, where a business, philanthropic organisation or individual has supported the arts in a compelling way.

The awards feature a range of categories that celebrate arts sponsorship, commissioning, philanthropy, staff engagement programmes, corporate social responsibility, access, creative community initiatives, and more.

This year sees a new award join the slate, the ‘Creative Access Award’ supported by the Community Foundation Ireland, which recognises corporate-sponsored creative programmes that allow marginalised or underrepresented communities to engage with the arts, be it through education, equipment, funding or more.

Speaking about the Award, Community Foundation Ireland’s Chief Executive Denise Charlton said:

“Community Foundation Ireland shares a mission of equality for all in thriving communities with its donors, supporters and 5,000 community partners. Access to arts is an equality issue.

As Ireland’s philanthropic hub, the Community Foundation, is proud to sponsor the new Creative Access Award to acknowledge those who continue to break down barriers to make art, creative and colour open to all.”

The Awards has a total of 12 categories in 2023, that recognise the hard work of partnerships that range from small, community-based initiatives, through to large-scale, and long-term engagements with national reach.

Applications are welcomed from projects of all sizes and approaches, with the judges looking to award relationships that show true collaboration; considered investment of funds, time, or expertise; innovative concepts or relationship models; fresh ideas, and genuine impact.

This year’s new and returning awards partners include Innovation Partner Accenture, the Arts Council, Community Foundation Ireland, daa, ESB, Irish Life, Kmend, The Irish Times, and TileStyle.

The annual Bursary programme features a total of three monetary prizes from TileStyle, Accenture, and daa. These bursaries will support emerging artists, digital artists, creative producers, and a chosen arts organisation from the main nominations to further their nominated project/programme. 

"We are thrilled to launch this year's Business to Arts Awards nominations," said Louise O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Business to Arts.

"The awards provide a unique opportunity to show just how meaningful and impactful arts partnerships can be for both the corporate sector and the communities they serve. We are excited to learn about a new generation of creative partners and welcome our new Creative Access Award supported by Community Foundation Ireland."

Closing date for applications is midnight, Thursday, April 27.

Go to businesstoarts.ie/awards for information on the application process and to complete the online application form.