Arts Council Congratulates Arts and Business Award Winners

26/01/2009

Eight categories, for imaginative, creative ‘Arts and Business’ partnerships, were celebrated at the Allianz Arts and Business NI Awards, Thursday 15 January, during a champagne reception, at the Reform Club in Belfast. The winning partnerships explore a range of arts/business collaborations and were chosen by an independent panel of judges.

Speaking and the event and congratulating the Winners and those commended, Rosemary Kelly Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said “Businesses in Northern Ireland are increasingly realising the benefits of working with arts organisations, particularly within the current economic climate. These Awards acknowledge excellence in creative partnerships, and bring tangible benefits to both the corporate world and the arts. The Arts Council is keen to encourage growth in this area and congratulates Arts and Business and all the participants, particularly the winners and those commended. .

Eight of the 11 Award Winners/commendations involve partnerships with current or previous Arts Council of Northern Ireland funded clients, including the Ulster Orchestra (winning in two categories) with Carson McDowell and with Patton Group; Féile an Phobail with InBev Ireland and the Alley Arts Centre, awarded independently and with REMAX Preferred. These, along with those shortlisted, reflect the very best examples of partnerships between business and the arts, delivering creative ideas executed to a standard of excellence.

At the event, Arts & Business, Northern Ireland Director, Mary Trainor said “Innovation and creativity are now more important that ever, businesses need to find new ways of doing things to strengthen their competitiveness, motivate their staff and engage with their communities and stakeholders. The creative and innovative partnerships being celebrated this evening are shining examples of how the arts can help achieve this. Well done to all our winners.”

Adrian Toner, Head of Allianz in Northern Ireland said "The corporate world, particularly at this time, must recognise the essential and interlinked role it can play in harnessing local artistic talent. The Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards prove that partner programmes can and do deliver great benefits for all the participants involved. The standard of all the entries this year was exceptional and my congratulations go to all the well deserved winners."

The Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards 2009 - The Winners

Arts, Business & Brand Identity.
The effective use of arts sponsorship to raise corporate profile

Winner: Carson McDowell & University of Ulster

Highly Commended: KPMG & Royal Ulster Academy of Arts

Arts, Business & Diversity.
Excellence in management of a diversity initiative

Winner: Stratagem & National Museums Northern Ireland

Arts, Business & Employees.
An effective creative programme which involves employees in the arts and incorporates the arts into the workplace

Winner: Patton Group & Ulster Orchestra

Highly Commended: REMAX Preferred & Alley Arts Centre

Arts, Business & Community.
An effective partnership stimulating community involvement through inclusion in the arts, and/or stimulating regeneration

Winner: Creggan Enterprises Limited & Guildhall Press

Arts, Business & Young People.
An effective partnership to demonstrate the productive power of the arts in working with children and/or young people

Winner: Ulster Bank Group & Ulster Orchestra

Arts, Business & Individual.
Outstanding personal contribution to the arts through one of the Arts & Business professional development programmes

Winner: Jill O'Neill & Belfast Print Workshop

Arts, Business & Sustainability.
Effective and advantageous development of a longstanding partnership between a business and an arts organization

Winner: InBev Ireland & Féile an Phobail, West Belfast

Highly Commended: Coca-Cola Bottlers (Ulster) Ltd & Cinemagic Ltd

Arts Award.
Excellence in arts management of the business relationship

Winner: Alley Arts Centre