Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards 2015 - Creative Collaborations drive business performance

Over 250 guests recently attended the Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards 2015 at Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey and were entertained by a fantastic selection of home grown cultural talent.

The Awards showcase examples of innovative creative collaborations between the business community and the arts sector, delivering a diverse range of tangible business benefits. The winning partnerships represented a varied section of the business community and arts sectors.

The audience enjoyed electric performances by Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble, Belfast Philharmonic Children’s Choir (affectionately known as "The Phil Kids"), Bruiser Theatre Company and a breath taking performance by First Soloist with The Royal Ballet, Melissa Hamilton, born in Dromore, County Down.

Presenting the Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards Brendan Murphy, CEO, Allianz, congratulated the partnerships and all the winners saying: "The innovative partnerships between arts and business celebrated here tonight showcase the cultural, community and business dividends that are delivered with every engagement. Congratulations to all this year’s winners and to all those partner projects who showcase precisely just how successful arts and business ventures can be."

Business of the Year was picked up by AES Northern Ireland, a mere dabbler in the arts just three years ago, AES Northern Ireland embraced the power of arts sponsorship with outstanding results for their business. AES Northern Ireland and Arthur Cox Solicitors & Cinemagic and Stephen Beggs collected the Award for Employee Engagement for their fantastic ‘mock’ trial as part of a health & safety training project with a difference.

Scooping the sought after Arts Award which is accompanied by a cash prize of £3,000, CultureTECH has grown to become one of the biggest events of its kind in Northern Ireland, bringing together arts, culture and technology with almost 43,500 attending its festival last year.

Recognising the success of all the partnerships, Mary Trainor-Nagele, Chief Executive, Arts & Business Northern Ireland commented: “These awards show that when the arts are strong, business wants to be aligned with that excellence. As more and more businesses subscribe to the power of the arts, the cultural sector undoubtedly has a very credible offering for business at this time. Businesses understand that a vibrant, cultural sector is right for their employees, their customers and ultimately their businesses.”

The importance of continued private sector support for the arts was reinforced by Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, saying: “Developing the bonds between the worlds of Art and Commerce is particularly important in the current financial climate, where both sectors have much to gain from combining strengths. The Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards highlight the many benefits of working with arts organisations and acknowledge the growing number of enterprising local businesses who are doing just that. The awards are an inspiration to other companies to engage in similarly productive creative collaborations.”

Allianz Arts & Business NI Corporate Responsibility Award
Winner: Burke Shipping Group & c21 Theatre Company Ltd
Highly commended: Roughans; Funhouse; Sheilas; Morellis to Go; The Anchor Entertainment Complex & Big Telly Theatre Company

Allianz Arts & Business NI Cultural Branding Award
Winner: Translink & Cahoots NI

Allianz Arts & Business NI Sustained Partnership Award
Winner: JTI & Ulster Orchestra
Highly commended: Seagate & CultureTECH Festival

Allianz Arts & Business NI Employee Engagement Award
Winner: AES Northern Ireland and Arthur Cox & Cinemagic and Stephen Beggs
Highly commended: Funeral Services Northern Ireland

Allianz Arts & Business NI New Sponsor Award
Winner: HSS Hire Service Group & Cathedral Quarter Trust (Culture Night Belfast)
Highly commended: Hastings Everglades Hotel & Allegri

Allianz Arts & Business NI Arts Board Member of Year Award
Winner: Chris Bailey, Prime Cut Productions
Highly commended: Eileen Mullan, Audiences NI

Allianz Arts & Business NI Community Art Prize
Winner: The Welcome Organisation

Allianz Arts & Business NI Business of the Year Award
Winner: AES Northern Ireland

Allianz Arts & Business NI Arts Award
Winner: CultureTECH