The 33rd annual Business to Arts Awards illuminated how arts partnerships extend far beyond galleries and theatres—reaching into workplaces and communities to fuel creativity, sustainability, and wellbeing.
With over 500 business and arts leaders in attendance, the awards celebrated a series of inspiring partnerships between businesses, arts organisations and artists, demonstrating how creativity can intersect with technology, environment, and audience engagement to generate new experiences and perspectives.
This final article in our three-part series explores how businesses and arts organisations are forging partnerships that challenge traditional boundaries, bringing fresh perspectives to corporate culture and addressing urgent environmental issues.
The CBRE creativity in the workplace award went to recruitment firm Spencer Lennox and Irish National Opera for the INO Future Leaders Network, a pioneering initiative that reimagines professional networking for young people in a post-pandemic world. By combining opera performances with informal networking events, the project offers a welcoming, culturally rich environment that encourages connection and discovery.
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This partnership has opened up an art form often viewed as exclusive, making it accessible and engaging for emerging professionals. Judges praised the initiative as “a fresh approach to networking,” highlighting its success in blending artistic excellence with business community building. For participants, the network provides both inspiration and opportunity, nurturing the next generation of leaders across sectors.
The ESB creative sustainability award was presented to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Library of Ireland, and artist Paula T Nolan, for their collaboration marking the EPA’s 30th anniversary with a powerful blend of art, heritage, and environmental advocacy.
Drawing inspiration from the 1970s Documerica project, Nolan’s year-long residency created a visual record of Ireland’s changing environment, combining artistic expression with environmental record-keeping to enrich the archive for future generations. Through photographs, public talks, workshops, and exhibitions, the partnership offered an accessible, culturally resonant way for the public to engage with climate and biodiversity issues.
Judges praised it as “an ambitious and innovative partnership at the intersection of culture and sustainability,” noting its long-term commitment to environmental impact.
Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) won the judges’ special recognition award for its exemplary portfolio of partnerships with Murphy’s, Tomar Trust, Future Planet, the Irish Examiner, and The Arc Cinema Cork — each contributing to the festival’s cultural reach, sustainability efforts, and community impact.
Its enduring collaboration with the Irish Examiner, spanning over 20 years, has elevated the festival’s profile through extensive media campaigns and sponsorship of the best new Irish feature award, championing Irish filmmakers.
The partnership with Future Planet focuses on sustainability and climate education, highlighted by the Green Screen strand and the youth-led Aeráid programme.
Working with Tomar Trust, CIFF supports youth mental health and inclusivity through the Intinn initiative, which has reached thousands nationwide.
Murphy’s longstanding support, rooted in Cork pride, has grown beyond sponsorship into immersive festival experiences, enriching local cultural identity.
The Arc Cinema partnership enhances year-round access to independent and arthouse films, supporting CIFF’s educational outreach and programming.
Judges commended CIFF’s “creativity, professionalism, and care” in working with corporate supporters, evidenced by its long-standing relationships and innovative new collaborations.
The Accenture €10,000 digital innovation in art bursary was awarded to digital and ecological artist Amanda Ralph. A lecturer in sculpture and digital media at IADT, she has held solo exhibitions at Temple Bar Gallery and the Irish Arts Centre, New York.
Ralph will establish a digital “field station” on a derelict farm to monitor wildlife through sensors, cameras, and audio data before biodiversity restoration begins. The bursary will support her return to full-time practice, skill development, and the creation of new work for an upcoming exhibition at Luan Gallery.
Judges praised how her art and environmental practice expand digital art forms through the integration of technology and ecological research, supporting the next phase of her critical inquiry and creative journey.
From immersive digital art to pioneering networking programmes, sustainable cultural projects, and multi-partner festival initiatives, this year’s winners highlight the imaginative scope of arts and business collaboration. Each project demonstrates how creativity can intersect with technology, environment, and audience engagement to generate new experiences and perspectives. The 33rd Business to Arts Awards celebrate not just individual achievement but the collective potential of partnerships to push boundaries, inspire innovation, and shape the future of Ireland’s cultural landscape.
The Business to Arts Awards continue to champion the transformative power of partnerships between the corporate and arts sectors in Ireland. This year’s winners are a testament to how businesses and artists can collaborate to tackle societal challenges, promote inclusivity, and bring the arts to diverse communities. By fostering creativity and innovation, these partnerships are not only enriching cultural experiences but also driving positive social change. As these collaborations grow, they pave the way for more groundbreaking projects that address critical issues and inspire future generations to harness the arts for the greater good. The impact of these partnerships is a reminder that when creativity meets purpose, the possibilities are endless.
To learn more about developing a creative partnership or becoming a member of Business to Arts, visit the Business to Arts website or contact info@businesstoarts.ie.
