Leitrim projects shortlisted for Business to Arts Awards

Leitrim County Council Arts Office's Spark Programme, the Hair & Beauty Industry Confederation of Ireland (HABIC), and Amanda Jane Graham have been shortlisted for the Business to Arts Awards in the Best Creativity in the Workplace category supported by ESB for the project 'The Coiffured'. 

'The Coiffured', a two-year collaboration art project between Amanda Jane Graham and the Hair & Beauty Industry Confederation of Ireland (HABIC), is part of SPARK, an artist-in-residence programme developed by the Leitrim County Council Arts Office and Local Enterprise Office to encourage collaboration between artists and conventional businesses. 

Business to Arts Award shortlist projects represents a mix of innovative, new partnerships initiated as organisations emerged from the pandemic and a clear intention to provide new pathways and opportunities for underrepresented artists and communities. 

The construction sector also showed renewed support for the Arts with applications from IPUT, Lioncor, Cairn Homes, Hibernia REG, Henry J. Lyons and organisations such as Irish Architecture Foundation and The Housing Agency. 

The Judging Panel featured representatives from Accenture, The Irish Times, Community Foundation Ireland, ESB, RTÉ, daa, Irish Life, the Arts Council, TileStyle, Kmend, and Children's Books Ireland and was chaired by Luke Reaper, Managing Director of Behaviours and Attitudes.

Artist Amanda Jane Graham with her piece 'The Coiffured' at the Irish Architectural Archive. Photo Conor McCabe

The Business to Arts Awards recognises businesses, philanthropists, artists, and arts organisations that develop compelling creative partnerships. Shortlisted partnerships focus on arts sponsorship, philanthropy, commissioning of artists, and CSR initiatives, such as employee and community engagement. This year a new Creative Access Award supported by Community Foundation Ireland was launched, seeking to recognise partnerships that offer the opportunity for marginalised and underrepresented groups to participate in the arts.

Award winners will be presented with a limited edition award sculpture created by sculptor Chloe Lennon. The Award Sculpture 'Equilibrium' has been commissioned by daa for the 31st year. Chloe Lennon grew up in the midlands of rural Ireland with a strong interest in natural textures and forms. Her piece represents the relationship between natural and manmade landscapes, focusing on human interventions in nature as we strive to become more conscientious and symbiotic.

Louise O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Business to Arts, said: "A bumper year of high-quality applications post-pandemic meant that this was a very tough judging process with a rise in the focus on community, societal issues, and access to the arts seen across the board. We are so grateful for the time, attention and consideration of the judges in what is a mammoth task."

Luke Reaper, Judging Chair, said that the Business to Arts Awards is vital in illustrating the impact of business supporting the arts. 

"This year's shortlist makes it clear that businesses are engaging at a highly creative level across a breadth and depth of the activity in the sector, with exciting newer initiatives emerging alongside more established partnerships. I would especially like to thank the judges for their dedication and treating every entry as a potential winner. I wish the shortlisted partnerships luck on the night", he added. 

The 2023 Business to Arts Awards will take place on Tuesday, September 12, at the National Concert Hall. A total of €25,000 will be presented to successful artists and arts organisations through bursaries and awards on the night. 

For more information, head to https://www.businesstoarts.ie/awards-and-events.