Award-winning partnerships focus on inclusion and climate action
There were a number of Cork winners at the Business to Arts Awards 2025 on Tuesday night which highlight creative initiatives making a measurable difference in society.
Cork-based winners included Tomar Trust in the Community Foundation Ireland Arts Philanthropy category and the Judges’ Special Recognition Award went to Cork International Film Festival for their portfolio of partnerships with the likes of Murphy’s, Tomar Trust, Future Planet and The Arc Cinema Cork.
This year, Business to Arts is recognising over €3.6 million of combined cash and in-kind investment into the cultural sector by entries to this year’s awards. €25,000 in bursaries also awarded on the night.
Winning partnerships focused on key societal issues, including community engagement, accessibility, wellbeing, and sustainability and comprised a variety of business sectors and art forms. Exemplary projects emerged from industries such as property development, transportation and logistics, and consulting—underscoring the growing role of the arts in shaping business thinking across Ireland. The myriad of art forms employed, spanning film, theatre, music, and both visual and digital art, highlighted the high standard of creativity and innovation of the winning projects.
The Business to Arts Awards 2025, now in its 33rd year, was held at a gala ceremony in the National Concert Hall, hosted by journalist and broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald, with guest of honour Patrick O’Donovan, TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport. A total of 13 awards, including ten main categories and three bursaries worth €25,000, were presented to the projects by leaders in the business community.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said on Tuesday night: “When the public and private sectors come together to support the arts, the impact goes far beyond culture—it drives local economies, sparks innovation, and builds stronger, more connected communities. Tonight’s winners show just how powerful that partnership can be.”
Louise O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Business to Arts said: “What we celebrate tonight is far more than sponsorship — it is shared vision and shared value. The partnerships recognised at the Business to Arts Awards 2025 show how creativity, when backed by business leadership, becomes a catalyst for inclusion, sustainability, and long-term social impact.”
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland, added: “Access to the arts is an equality issue. Irish philanthropy plays an important role in ensuring that people of all backgrounds and circumstances enjoy the energy, colour and excitement of the arts. Creativity and performance also open up powerful avenues to strengthen and empower the voices of entire communities. Tomar Trust are established leaders in this space. The Business to Arts award is a well-deserved acknowledgement of their foresight and vision.”
Dr Michelle Cullen, a managing director and Inclusion and Diversity Lead at Accenture in Ireland, said: “The awards demonstrate the power of artistic partnerships in generating insight, empathy, and understanding, and in driving a vibrant arts sector.”