Philanthropy Ireland Members Recognised in the 2026 Business to Arts Awards

Poor is based on Katriona O'Sullivan's best-selling memoir (Pics: Ros Kavanagh)

The shortlist for the 2026 Business to Arts Awards has been announced, highlighting some of the most ambitious and impactful collaborations between businesses, philanthropic organisations, artists and arts organisations across Ireland.

Now in their 34th year, the Awards recognise the role partnership can play in supporting artistic ambition, widening access and creating lasting cultural and social impact. This year’s programme includes 13 categories — ten main awards and three bursaries — with €25,000 in direct financial support available to artists and arts organisations. The winners will be announced at the National Concert Hall on 7 September 2026.

We were particularly pleased to see several members of the Philanthropy Ireland community represented across the shortlist and award categories. Their involvement demonstrates the many forms that support for the arts can take, from opening theatre to new audiences and creating opportunities for artists to investing in creative education, inclusion and environmental awareness.

basis.point has been shortlisted twice for its partnership with The Gate Theatre on a live stream of POOR, appearing in both the Small Arts Partnership Award and Creative Access Award categories. Based on Dr Katriona O’Sullivan’s memoir, the production explores poverty, education and the people and interventions that can change the direction of a young person’s life. With support from basis.point, it was streamed free of charge to almost 23,000 secondary-school students across Ireland. By using technology to bring an important piece of theatre directly into classrooms, the partnership helped remove practical barriers to cultural participation while encouraging conversations about opportunity, disadvantage and hope.

Staycity Group is shortlisted for the CBRE Major Arts Partnership Award for Clay City, its collaboration with Dublin community ceramics studio Throwing Shapes.

The programme responds to two major challenges facing artists in Dublin: finding affordable accommodation and securing the time and space needed to develop a sustainable practice. Through supported accommodation, studio access, professional residencies, mentorship and exhibition opportunities, Clay City gives emerging and established ceramic artists room to develop their work at pivotal points in their careers.

The initiative demonstrates how a business can use its own assets — in this case, accommodation — as part of a thoughtful and practical arts partnership.

Long-term commitment is central to the partnership between ESB and the National Concert Hall, shortlisted for The Irish Times Long-Term Partnership Award.

Their Quavers to Quadratics programme brings music and science together through hands-on workshops for primary-school pupils. Children explore sound waves, musical instruments, materials and vibration through experimentation and play. Delivered online, in schools and at the National Concert Hall, including through Irish in the Gaeltacht, the programme shows how creative learning can make scientific ideas more accessible and engaging. In 2025, ESB and the National Concert Hall announced a further three-year partnership to continue and expand the initiative.

ESB also supports the Creative Sustainability Award, recognising collaborations that use the arts to explore environmental and climate issues, encourage public dialogue and demonstrate more sustainable approaches to artistic production and delivery.

The Katharine Howard Foundation is shortlisted alongside Ecclesiastical Insurance and Music Network for the Lullaby Residency in the Creative Access Award category.

Centred on music, play and cultural exchange, the residency works with young children and families from diverse backgrounds, creating opportunities for connection through shared creative experiences. It also supports professional musicians to develop their skills in early-years and community-based practice.

Community Foundation Ireland supports the Arts Philanthropy Award, celebrating individuals, trusts, foundations and corporate philanthropic organisations whose support has enabled artistic ambition, strengthened organisations or delivered meaningful cultural and social impact.

Through the Awards and its wider work, Business to Arts helps build connections between Ireland’s cultural, philanthropic and business communities. The shortlisted projects demonstrate that successful partnerships are not simply transactional: at their best, they draw on the distinct strengths of each partner to create something neither could deliver alone.

We are delighted to see the work of Philanthropy Ireland members recognised in this way. Their partnerships are a reminder that strategic support for the arts can develop talent, widen access, strengthen communities and make ambitious creative work possible. Congratulations to Business to Arts, the shortlisted Members and all of the artists, organisations and partners recognised in the 2026 Awards.