Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards launched 2015

Searching for Star Partnerships at launch of Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards 2015

Arts & Business Northern Ireland has launched the Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards 2015.

The search is on for creative, star quality partnerships between the worlds of arts and business. Launching the Awards were Sharon McTaggart, Operations Manager, Allianz, principal sponsor and Mary Trainor-Nagele, Chief Executive, Arts & Business NI. Nomination forms are now available to download from the A&B NI website and deadline for completed nominations is Friday 29th August 2014.

Mary Trainor-Nagele, Chief Executive, Arts & Business NI said: “The Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards showcase the many creative partnerships between NI’s arts and private sector businesses, and showcase that when culture and commerce collide amazing things happen. We are delighted to have Allianz on board and committed to supporting the Awards for a further two years and we thank them for this invaluable support.”

Sharon McTaggart, Operations Manager, Allianz said: “Allianz are very proud to once again be supporting these prestigious awards. Each year brings new and innovative partnerships between arts and business organisations. We are looking forward to seeing what exciting nominations will be revealed in the coming months.”

The importance of continued private sector support for the arts was reinforced by Nick Livingston, Director of Strategic Development at the Arts Council, saying "The Arts Council is delighted to support the Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards. They give recognition to the growing number of local businesses that are now enjoying the benefits that creative partnerships can bring to their organisations, and to the business strength that these partnerships are adding to the arts sector. We hope the awards will encourage more businesses and more arts organisations to follow suit, as both sectors have much to gain from combining strengths."

It is worthwhile noting there are amendments to the category list for 2015 entries. This presents an exciting opportunity for all nominees to enter their partnerships into new categories giving plenty of scope to scoop an award in one or more of the categories.

Six awards will be presented to businesses, including two new categories entitled ‘New Sponsor Award’ and ‘Corporate Responsibility Award’. The Awards are presented to local businesses that have demonstrated a creative approach to developing mutually beneficial partnerships with the arts throughout Northern Ireland. The Business of the Year Award will be awarded to a business that has excelled through integrating Arts & Culture through different facets of its business strategy.

A further new category entitled ‘Arts Board Member of the Year Award’ will be presented to an individual who in a voluntary capacity has added outstanding benefits to an organisation in a governance role.

The Arts Award is presented to a local arts organisation which has consistently looked to develop and pioneer new ideas, whilst demonstrating a progressive and creative approach to a business partnership.

Allianz will be presenting an additional Community Arts Prize, awarded to a local community project with a cultural emphasis which has been nominated by an Allianz staff member.

The Awards ceremony for the Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards will be held on 21st January 2015.

Calls for nominations fall into the following categories:

Corporate Responsibility

Awarded to a partnership where the business uses the power of the arts to develop innovative and dynamic new connections with the wider community.

Cultural Branding

Awarded to a partnership that reinforces the branding and marketing activity of a business through the use of culture.

Sustained Partnership

Awarded to an established, on-going partnership that continues to set standards in creative arts-business collaborations.

Employee Engagement

Awarded to a partnership that involves employees in the arts and incorporates creativity and innovation into the workplace.

New Sponsor

Awarded to a business who has developed a new partnership with the arts to meet its business objectives.   

Arts Board Member of the Year

Awarded to an individual who, in a voluntary capacity, has added outstanding benefit to an arts organisation in a governance role, perhaps through a formal professional development placement such as Board Bank or Young Professionals on Arts Boards.

Arts Award

Awarded to the arts organisation which has consistently looked to develop and pioneer new ideas, whilst demonstrating a progressive and creative approach to business partnership.

Business of the Year Award

Awarded to a business that has excelled through integrating Arts & Culture throughout different facets of its business strategy.

Allianz Community Arts Prize
Awarded to a local community project with a cultural emphasis which has been nominated by an Allianz staff member.