The Small Arts Partnership Award celebrates outstanding collaborations between businesses and arts organisations or artists where the sponsorship is valued at less than €25,000, in cash or in kind.

The shortlisted partnerships show how creativity, shared purpose and strong alignment can deliver meaningful artistic and business impact, regardless of scale.

Explore the shortlist

SIGMA Scholarship Programme Launch. Credit: Photo Museum Ireland 

SIGMA Benelux and Photo Museum Ireland: SIGMA Talents Scholarship Programme

SIGMA Benelux and Photo Museum Ireland created the SIGMA Talents Scholarship Programme to support emerging photographers at a pivotal stage in their careers.

Three artists received bursaries, professional equipment, curatorial mentorship and a year of development support, culminating in the TALENTS exhibition at Photo Museum Ireland. Reaching approximately 25,000 people, the programme strengthened opportunities for early-career artists and expanded public engagement with contemporary photography.

2025 IFI French Film Festival  Credit: Irish Film Institute

Peugeot Ireland & the Irish Film Institute: The Lion Loves Cinema!

Peugeot Ireland and the Irish Film Institute partnered on the 2025 IFI French Film Festival, bringing together a major French brand and Ireland’s leading film institution.

Part of Peugeot’s international 'The Lion Loves Cinema!' campaign, the partnership helped deliver the most successful festival in its 26-year history, attracting more than 7,300 attendees over 12 days. Peugeot’s support enhanced events, guest transport and public activations, while helping audiences engage with a diverse programme of French cinema.

Daniel O'Connell: The Emancipator documentary and discussion panel Credit: Brid. O'Donovan

UCC and Cork International Film Festival: 70th Cork International Film Festival

University College Cork and Cork International Film Festival expanded their long-standing partnership for the Festival’s 70th edition, connecting culture, research, education and community engagement.

The collaboration created internships, mentoring and professional development opportunities for students and graduates, alongside screenings, discussions and public events focused on areas including mental health, sustainability and film heritage. Reaching more than 2,200 participants, it demonstrated how arts and education partnerships can create lasting cultural, social and career impact.

POOR Feedback live stream. Credit: The Gate Theatre 

basis.point and The Gate Theatre: Live Stream of POOR

basis.point and The Gate Theatre brought a nationwide livestream of POOR, Katriona O’Sullivan’s acclaimed stage adaptation, directly into secondary school classrooms across Ireland.

The initiative reached more than 22,000 students in 337 schools across 29 counties, many of whom were experiencing professional theatre for the first time. By overcoming geographic, financial and social barriers, the partnership created a scalable model to widen access to theatre and support conversations around resilience, empathy and personal potential.

We look forward to celebrating the creativity and impact of these partnerships at the Business to Arts Awards in September!

Warmest wishes,

Louise, Valerie, Rachel, Melissa and Nina.