The CBRE Major Arts Partnership Award recognises outstanding large-scale partnerships between businesses and arts organisations or artists, with a value of €25,000 or more (cash or in-kind).

This year's shortlist demonstrates ambition, strategic alignment, and meaningful impact for both partners. It demonstrates how significant investment can enable artistic excellence and deliver shared value.

Check out the shortlist

The Blue Rinse Ball, hosted by Diageo Ireland in the Guinness Storehouse. Credit: Q4 PR 

Diageo Ireland & The Liberties Festival

Diageo Ireland and The Liberties Festival developed a place-based partnership rooted in the cultural life of the Liberties, the historic home of Guinness. In 2025, Diageo doubled its investment, supporting more than 65 events, 90% of which were free, alongside initiatives including the Liberties Festival Brew and the Blue Rinse Ball.

The partnership generated almost two million in media reach, secured strong national coverage and encouraged meaningful local participation. It also strengthened access to culture, community pride and the long-term sustainability of one of Ireland’s oldest festivals.

Talking Clay public event with professional resident Camilla Hanney. Credit: Throwing Shapes 

Staycity & Throwing Shapes: Clay City

Staycity and Throwing Shapes created Clay City to support ceramic artists working in Dublin. The initiative combines a year-long graduate residency with three annual professional residencies, offering artists at different career stages time, space and support to develop their practice.

By providing accommodation in kind, Staycity is helping to address one of the most significant barriers facing artists in Dublin. The partnership creates opportunities for artistic development, exchange and visibility, while offering a model that can be sustained and scaled.

Dr Caroline Campbell (Director, National Gallery of Ireland) and Ryan McCarthy (Managing Partner, KPMG) at the opening of Picasso: From the Studio. Credit: Naoise Culhane

KPMG Ireland & the National Gallery of Ireland: Picasso: From the Studio

In 2025, the National Gallery of Ireland, in collaboration with Musée national Picasso-Paris and with sponsorship from KPMG Ireland, presented Picasso: From the Studio. Dedicated to one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, the exhibition became the Gallery’s second most visited exhibition in modern times.

Five years in the making, the exhibition depended on strong strategic partnerships to be delivered at this scale. KPMG Ireland’s sponsorship was central to its success and helped support wider public access, including 22,776 free tickets, 9,753 of which were allocated to children and school groups.

Launch of 'AS IF' at the International Centre for the Image Credit: Brian Cregan 

Kennedy Wilson & PhotoIreland: International Centre for the Image

Kennedy Wilson and PhotoIreland developed their partnership over two and a half years to establish the International Centre for the Image at Coopers Cross. The collaboration was designed to embed cultural value within the development, with a strong focus on placemaking, public engagement and long-term community benefit.

Launched in July 2025, the Centre brings PhotoIreland’s work together in one dedicated space. Its programme is built around four connected areas of contemporary arts practice: research through a library and archive, production through workshops and artist studios, exhibition, and preservation through dedicated art storage facilities.

Congratulations and best of luck to all the shortlisted partnerships! 

Warmest wishes,

Louise, Valerie, Rachel, Melissa and Nina.