This week, the 33rd annual Business to Arts Awards took place in the National Concert Hall, celebrating the outstanding achievements of partnerships between businesses and arts organisations.
More than 500 business and arts leaders gathered to recognise the 2025 winners who have set a new standard for how corporate engagement can shape cultural infrastructure and honour our shared histories and futures. The Business to Arts Awards spotlight strategic heritage, belonging, and creative space partnerships
Drogheda Port Company and artist Emily McCormack won the award for best commissioning practice and were presented with the perpetual Jim McNaughton/TileStyle Throphy for their 2025 commission ‘Brig Manley’. Part of the port’s two-decade-long art programme, the commission tells the story of the 1871 shipwreck through Emilys painting and the music of SJ McArdle. Unveiled at the site of the tragedy on Mornington Beach and accompanied by a live performance of the song Brig Manley, the work has deepened community ties to Drogheda’s maritime heritage.
Beyond its historical content, the project demonstrates how art can make history tangible and emotionally resonant, encouraging intergenerational storytelling and local pride. Judges noted the project’s powerful combination of heritage and storytelling, reflecting the port’s long-standing approach to commissioning art and its strong relationship with local artists.
The winning partnership presents a compelling case for the role of art in shaping how we inhabit our shared spaces. It exemplifies what becomes possible when business and the arts collaborate with clear purpose and shared values.
Speaking about the significance of the award Paul Fleming CEO of Drogheda Port says “We are delighted to have been recognised for Drogheda Port Company’s long-standing support of the arts and local artists in our community. This year, we are especially proud of the powerful piece created by Emily, whose deeply immersive approach brought something truly special to the commission .”
Louise O’Reilly, chief executive of Business to Arts, says, “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.”