Shortlist for 34th Business to Arts Awards
Community Foundation Ireland partners on Philanthropy Award
14th July 2026: Today, Business to Arts announces the highly competitive shortlist for the 34th annual Awards, recognising outstanding partnerships between businesses, philanthropic organisations, artists and arts organisations across Ireland.
Celebrate
The Awards celebrate ambitious and impactful partnerships that demonstrate true collaboration and cultural impact. From long-standing partnerships to new initiatives, the shortlist showcases how investment in the arts can deliver meaningful benefits for artists, audiences, communities and businesses alike.
This year’s shortlist reflects a strong commitment to sustainability, creative engagement, accessibility and inclusion, demonstrating how collaboration can expand access to the arts, strengthen local communities, support artistic ambition and create opportunities for people of all ages to participate in cultural life.
Among the shortlisted projects are Kennedy Wilson and PhotoIreland’s landmark International Centre for the Image, Philip Lee and IMMA’s Court for Intergenerational Climate Crimes at Earth Rising 2025, which uses art and public dialogue to engage audiences with climate action, and SMBC Aviation Capital’s Nationwide Schools Programme with the National Gallery of Ireland, which continues to expand access to arts education for children and young people across the country.
Award winners will be announced at the National Concert Hall on Monday, 7th September 2026.
Louise O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Business to Arts, said:
“What is striking about this year’s shortlist is the confidence of the partnerships. These are not passive sponsorships. They are ambitious, practical collaborations that are helping artists, audiences and businesses do more than they could alone.”
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland added:
‘Philanthropy prompts creativity in the arts, adding richness to our communities. As a philanthropic hub Community Foundation Ireland believes philanthropy allows artists to demonstrate ambition and courage.
A flourishing arts sector facilitates stronger self-expression by individuals and communities, it is both thought-provoking and emotive – and at its most powerful contributes to building a future which is fairer and more sustainable for people, place and planet.
Our partnership with Business to Arts celebrates that important contribution’
2026 Business to Arts Awards Shortlist
CBRE Major Arts Partnership Award
● Diageo Ireland & The Liberties Festival
● Staycity & Throwing Shapes: Clay City
● KPMG Ireland & National Gallery of Ireland: Picasso From the Studio
● Kennedy Wilson & PhotoIreland: The International Centre for the Image
Small Arts Partnership Award
● Peugeot Ireland & Irish Film Institute: The Lion Loves Cinema!
● basis.point & The Gate Theatre: Live Stream of POOR
● UCC & Cork International Film Festival: 70th Cork International Film Festival
● SIGMA Benelux & Photo Museum Ireland: Sigma Talents Scholarship Programme
The Irish Times Long-Term Partnership Award
● SMBC Aviation Capital & National Gallery of Ireland: Nationwide Schools Programme
● Ecclesiastical Insurance & Wexford Festival Opera: Volunteer Programme
● ESB & National Concert Hall: Quavers to Quadratics
● Dublin City Council & St Patrick’s Festival
Irish Life Creativity in the Community Award
● Iarnród Éireann & Artur Oner: Welcome to Courtney Place
● The Digital Hub & HoloGen: Roblox Rising Producers
● Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark & AlanJames Burns: Divergently Together
● IPUT Real Estate Dublin & National Concert Hall: Festival of Voice
Creativity in the Workplace Award
● Fitzgerald Power & The Walls Project: Signs of Power 3
● CJK & Five Lamps Arts Festival: Christmas Song Contest
● Connected Hubs & Contemporary Irish Art Society: Art in the Hubs
ESB Creative Sustainability Award
● Philip Lee & IMMA: CICC at Earth Rising 2025
● Off aly and Meath County Councils & Irish Architecture Foundation: Bog Bothy
● Clarendon Properties, BAM Ireland & Jools Gilson: Mapping Climate Change
● ACT Waterford, Calmast SETU & Sean Corcoran: Crockery Mountain
Jim McNaughton/TileStyle Perpetual Award for Best Commissioning Practice
● Fleetwood Paints & Cork Opera House: Illuminating the Archives
● Ipsos B&A & Graphic Studio Dublin: Ipsos B&A Art Collection
● Irish Life & James Earley: Life In Threes
Creative Access Award
● basis.point & The Gate Theatre: Live Stream of POOR
● Specsavers Limerick & University Concert Hall: Panto for All
● Clancourt & The Ark: Ark Access
● Ecclesiastical Insurance, Katharine Howard Foundation & Music Network: Lullaby Residency
The recipients of the Community Foundation Ireland Arts Philanthropy Award and the Judges’ Special Recognition Award will be announced at the Awards ceremony on 7th September.
Additionally, a total of €25,000 will be presented to successful artists and arts organisations through bursaries and awards on the night.
● Jim McNaughton/TileStyle €10,000 Artist’s Bursary
● Accenture €10,000 Digital Innovation in Art Bursary
● The Irish Times €5,000 Arts Award
Judging Panel
The 2026 Business to Arts Awards judging panel comprised:
● Aoife Barry, Freelance Arts and Culture Journalist
● Jerry O’Connor, Director of Communications, Community Foundation Ireland
● Diego Fasciati, Executive Director, Irish National Opera
● Bernadine Hogan, Executive Director, CBRE
● Jillian Saunders, Group Sponsorship and PR Manager, ESB
● Nadine O’Regan, Journalist, The Irish Times
● Susan Jackson, Senior Marketing Manager, Irish Life