The National Concert Hall dazzled on Monday night for the 32nd annual Business to Arts Awards, an event that recognises and honours the incredible partnerships between corporate factions and artistic organisations. This event underscored the essential role of corporate patronage in nurturing and encouraging cultural richness in Ireland. The award winners this year have demonstrated how business collaborations can extend their influence to the realm of arts, advocating for the inclusion of marginalised groups, fostering innovative thinking around environmental issues, and pioneering strategies for improving mental wellness in our communities.
There’s no place like home for art
The prestigious Best Philanthropic Support to the Arts Award was bestowed upon Press Up Group & The Dean Arts Studios. This dynamic alliance freely offered a studio space to more than 40 individual artists and art collectives in Dublin. Creating an empowering environment for budding and well-established artists alike, the project has significantly shaped the cultural fabric of the city.
However, the programme’s influence is not constrained to giving physical space. It has notably enhanced mental well-being amongst the participating artists, with an impressive 85 percent witnessing benefits within their professional network. The programme drew in over 8,000 visitors, underlining the extent of community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration that it fostered. This form of support comes at a critical time and plays a crucial part in meeting the urgent needs for space, community and mental health within the arts. The sustainable commitment to bolstering creativity has been central to moulding the future of arts in the city, fostering a sense of security and home among the local artists.
A collection with intent
Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland was granted the Judges’ Special Recognition Award for their diverse portfolio of collaborations with the Irish Museum of Modern Art (Imma), Wexford Festival Opera and Kid’s Own Publishing. Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland is committed to enhancing Ireland’s cultural scene and making a positive influence on society through investments in projects that champion and celebrate the arts and culture. These partnerships embody the firm’s deep dedication to community engagement and fostering well-being through their artistic collaborations.
Imma’s exhibitions endeavour to stimulate diverse communities to actively participate, while Wexford Festival Opera searches for ways to strengthen community involvement with world-class opera. Moreover, Kid’s Own Publishing takes on the role of fostering nascent literary talents among the youth. The partnership with Wexford Festival Opera has celebrated voluntarism’s rich past via a digital campaign that honours the festival’s origins. This harmonious relationship underlines the worth of volition, highlighting its positive effects on mental health and overall well-being. By emphasizing community and intergenerational volunteerism, the collaboration instils a strong feeling of inclusion and belonging, especially among the older or retired individuals who remain pivotal to the festival’s accomplishment.
Under the heading of ring wellness, Lauren Larkin received the Jim McNaughton/TileStyle’s Artist’s Bursary of €10,000 to work on her documentary drama film, Punch Drunk. The film draws inspiration from her father, an erstwhile renowned Irish amateur boxer recently diagnosed with dementia. It explores the grave impacts of brain injuries from contact sports, with a spotlight on boxing safety and enduring passion for the sport. Beyond the ring, Larkin delves into profound themes of mortality, identity, and belonging in her quest to illuminate the often disregarded link between sports injuries and chronic health conditions. Her project highlights the vital relation between wellness, health, and sports, and presents a gripping narrative that reverberates on both individual and societal stratum.
Moving to the strength of group singing, Sing Ireland was honoured with the daa Arts Award worth €5,000 for its Sing for Life project, a collaboration with The Ireland Funds. This alliance inspires young individuals with special needs to discover their voices and communicate through the pleasure of singing. By furnishing a medium for self-expression, the association has played a pivotal role in developing self-belief, enhancing community ties, and endorsing wellness among participants. The regular sing-along sessions dictated by the participants’ chosen music, engendered a strong sense of community and underlined the significance of inclusivity in the arts. Engaging with peers in a nurturing environment, participants also noted positive effects on their mental health and were able to establish fresh friendships. Judges praised the project’s evident joy, expressing hopes for its continuation.
The 32nd yearly Business to Arts Awards emphasise the importance of alliances between commercial and artistic sectors in Ireland. The victors from this year illustrate how corporations and arts establishments can team up to tackle societal obstacles, champion inclusiveness, and enhance communities. Such dynamic collaborations make use of creativity and innovation to uplift the arts and fuel substantial societal improvements. As these joint ventures continue to mature, they lay the groundwork for future endeavours that aim to motivate and influence forthcoming generations.