The Little Museum of Dublin, Ulster Bank, BNP Paribas and Google were among the winners at last night's 2014 Allianz Business to Arts awards in Dublin's National Concert Hall.
Now in it's 23rd year, the Allianz Business to Arts awards recognise businesses, artists and arts organisations that develop creative partnerships across Ireland.
Business to Arts patron President Michael D Higgins joined 500 business and arts leaders at last night's annual event in Dublin to highlight the cultural relationships that have helped benefit Irish society.
Brendan Murphy chief executive of Allianz said the awards demonstrate the “contribution and creativity” of the business and art community and its continued importance “to our economic and cultural recovery”.
“We may be seeing our economy start to recover, but we have always been culturally rich,” he said. “The winners and those highly commended continue to add to this and show how cultural patronage will always bear economic fruit.”
Google, Ulster Bank, Mason Hayes & Curran, Mayo County Council and BNP Paribas were amongst the winners commended for bringing creativity into Irish communities, while judges singled out the Little Museum of Dublin for a special recognition award.
The Allianz Community Art Prize was awarded to Age & Opportunity for their Cultural Exchanges programme. The Age & Opportunity initiative works to improve the quality of life of older people in residential care by helping staff at the centres develop a range of creative and artistic skills.
The Allianz Business to Arts Awards 2014 Winners
Best Use of Creativity in the Community
BNP Paribas & Helium Arts for ‘Cloudlands Dublin’
Best Creative Staff Engagement
Coca-Cola International Services with Kieran Gallagher & Thomas Duffy for ‘Bridges’
Jim McNaughton Perpetual Award for Best Commissioning Practice
Mayo County Council & Linenhall Arts Centre for the FIND project
Jim McNaughton / TileStyle €10,000 Artist’s Bursary
Petal Pilley. Nominated by Blue Teapot Theatre Company
Dublin Airport Authority €5,000 Arts Award
Children’s Books Ireland for ‘Bookbag’
Allianz Community Art Prize
Creative Exchanges, a project by Age & Opportunity
Best Small Sponsorship - under €25,000 value
Mason Hayes & Curran & Temple Bar Gallery + Studios
Best Long Term Partnership
Ulster Bank & Galway International Arts Festival
Best Large Sponsorship - over €25,000 value
Google Ireland & Science Gallery
Judges’ Special Recognition
The Little Museum of Dublin