The awards celebrate the best in creative partnerships between the cultural and private sectors in Northern Ireland and winners will be announced at the prestigious awards ceremony later this month. Awards categories include Arts Organisation of the Year, Business of the Year and an Inspirational Trustee Award.
This year, organisers of the awards received an “unprecedented number of applications” from partnerships across a diverse range of sectors including retail, hospitality, industry, transport, media and arts and culture.
Mary Nagele, CEO, Arts & Business NI commented: “We were delighted to receive such an outstanding selection of nominations this year, which really showcase the amazing things which can happen when the cultural and private sectors collaborate. There are so many inspiring and pioneering projects in the mix, and we can’t wait to showcase and celebrate them at our awards ceremony in a few weeks’ time.”
Lee Cutler, Centre Manager of Forestside Shopping Centre and Principal Awards Sponsor also commented: “The judging panel were really impressed by the breadth and scope of this year’s applications. There are some fantastic partnerships and deserving individuals being acknowledged at this year’s awards. Congratulations and good luck to all the shortlisted candidates.”
The full shortlist is linked here and also detailed below:
The Shortlist
Creative Community Engagement Award
Awarded to a partnership where the business used the power of the arts to forge dynamic new connections with their community.
- Belfast Exposed & Montgomery Refrigeration
- Belfast International Arts Festival & Belfast Harbour
- c21 Theatre Company & Doyle Shipping Group
- Cahoots NI & Savills
- Commedia of Errors & Radius Housing
- Millennium Fo
- rum & Specsavers
Staff Engagement Award
Awarded to an organisation that prioritised connecting and uplifting its staff by harnessing the power of the arts.
- Arts Care & Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
- Cahoots NI & Savills
- Young at Art & Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Brand Storytelling Award
Awarded to a partnership that engaged the arts to strategically and creatively communicate the organisation’s brand and story.
- Cahoots NI & Savills
- Seedhead Arts & Dillon Bass
- The Playhouse & The Guildhall
- Young at Art & U105
- Belfast Exposed & Translink
- Belfast Photo Festival & Belfast Harbour
New Sponsor Award
Awarded to a business that has developed a new partnership with the arts to creatively meet its business objectives.
- Belfast Exposed & Translink
- Belfast Photo Festival & Belfast Harbour
- Cahoots NI & Rushmere Shopping Centre
- Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival & The American Bar
Commitment to Diversity Award
Awarded to an organisation that demonstrated their commitment to diversity across a range of business functions, by harnessing the power of the arts.
- Belfast International Arts Festival & Belfast Harbour
- c21 Theatre Company & Doyle Shipping Group
- Kabosh & Cara Friend
- Millennium Forum & Specsavers
- Seedhead Arts & Dillon Bass
Inspirational Trustee Award
Awarded to an individual who, in a voluntary capacity, has added outstanding benefit to an arts organisation in a governance role.
- Paul Brolly, Golden Thread Gallery
- Alan Clarke, R-Space
- Bernie Shiels, Stage Beyond
- Maria Lee, Young at Art
Arts Organisation of the Year
This award is presented to a local arts organisation which has consistently sought to develop and pioneer new ideas, whilst demonstrating a progressive and creative approach to income generation from private investment sources.
- Cahoots NI
- Belfast Exposed
- c21 Theatre Company
- Young at Art
Business of the Year
This award is presented to a local business which has consistently sought to develop and pioneer new ideas, whilst demonstrating a progressive and creative approach to partnership with arts organisations.
- Belfast Harbour
- Doyle Shipping Group
- The Amercian Bar
Arts Innovator Award
This award showcases a pioneering arts practitioner, who brought a particularly unique and inventive approach to their work.
Winner to be announced on the awards night
Above and Beyond Award
Awarded to an individual in the business sector who has not only actively engaged with the arts sector but has gone above and beyond to assist arts organisations/practitioners.
Winner to be announced on the awards night
Forestside Choice Award
This award recognises the work of a stand-out arts organisation or individual.
Winner to be announced on the awards night
