Arts & Business NI Awards 2022 opens for entries

Entries for the Arts & Business NI Awards 2022 in partnership with Forestside have opened this morning, (Monday 30 May 2022)

This year’s awards, the first live and in person since January 2020, is set to feature 11 categories, including Arts Organisation of the Year, Business of the Year and an Inspirational Trustee Award.

Chief Executive of Arts & Business Northern Ireland, Mary Nagele, has praised the ongoing partnership with Forestside as well as the positive impact on the awards across Northern Ireland’s cultural sector.

She said: “Many thanks to Forestside for their continued and vital support. It is just wonderful to be able to bring our business and arts partners together again for an in-person Awards ceremony. The Arts & Business NI Awards in partnership with Forestside is a vital showcase for what is possible when the cultural and corporate sectors come together. The partnerships being celebrated also highlight the huge impact that the arts have across our society.”

Forestside Centre Manager, Lee Cutler expressed his delight at the Centre’s involvement in the awards for the second year. He said: “Forestside are delighted to once again sponsor the Arts & Business NI annual awards. Having been on the journey ourselves as an entrant with many of our Arts partners we know first-hand how important it is to help shine a light on the fabulous work that happens between businesses and arts organisations. It not only gives well-deserved acknowledgement for all involved but also helps keep key stakeholders onboard and brings to life how the Arts can enrich the working environment. It is also a pleasure to work with the Arts & Business NI team in the lead up to these awards and watch their well-oiled machine put everything into place and deliver a most memorable night for everyone involved.”

Speaking on its launch, Roisín McDonough. Chief Executive of Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: “The Arts & Business NI Awards are a tremendous advert for what is currently being achieved locally by businesses and arts organisations as they pool their skills and talents. The participation of Forestside, as the headline sponsor, shows the great impression that their own engagement with the arts has made on them. Their embracing of the arts, alongside the inspiring new partnerships that will be profiled at this year’s awards, set the best possible example for others to follow.”

Arts & Business NI today also announced an open call out across the visual arts community for a Northern Ireland artist to be commissioned to design this year’s award pieces. The chosen artist will be announced in the summer.