Businesses from across Northern Ireland are being recognised for their long-standing support for arts and culture, with twelve organisations awarded Arts Champion status by Arts & Business NI.

The Arts Champion Award celebrates businesses that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to the arts and the difference that meaningful partnerships between business and culture can make, from supporting the wellbeing of young people to creating opportunities for communities to experience live music, theatre and the arts.

The twelve businesses recognised are; A&L Goodbody, Alchemy Technology Services, Bank of Ireland, Belfast Harbour, Cathedral Quarter BID, Dale Farm, HM Chartered Accountants, KPMG, Millar McCall Wylie, Translink, Ulster Carpets and Ulster University.

The awards come as Arts & Business NI looks ahead to its 40th anniversary in 2027. Over four decades, the organisation has worked with hundreds of businesses, from micro-businesses to multinational companies, helping them to develop meaningful and strategic partnerships with the arts and cultural sector.

The inaugural Arts Champions cohort includes Derry-based tech firm Alchemy Technology Services, which has long championed a wide range of arts and cultural organisations across Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on the North West. Its longstanding sponsorship of the Millennium Forum reflects this commitment, while through Le Foyer des Artistes, the company has helped nurture both local and international talent, giving musicians and artists the freedom and platform to create and thrive. Its partnership with The Playhouse further demonstrates Alchemy’s commitment to safeguarding access to theatre, music and the arts locally. The company has also supported events including the Stendhal Festival and the City of Derry International Choir Festival, helping to sustain a vibrant and diverse cultural offering for audiences across the region.

John Harkin, Founder of Alchemy Technology Services, said:
“We are honoured to have been recognised for our work in supporting the arts in Northern Ireland. The arts and cultural sector plays a vital role in the social and economic wellbeing of the region, and it is important that it receives meaningful support from businesses.

“We look forward to continuing to play an active role in supporting the people, organisations and creative talent that contribute to Northern Ireland’s distinctive cultural landscape, and would like to thank Arts & Business Northern Ireland for this recognition.”

Another business being recognised is world renowned manufacturer Ulster Carpets which has developed a long-standing partnership with the Ulster Orchestra. Together they have brought live music performances to the Blossom Children’s Ward at Craigavon Area Hospital. The performances provide young patients with opportunities to experience live music during what can be a difficult and uncertain time, supporting their wellbeing and bringing moments of joy to children and their families.

These are just two examples of the many ways businesses across Northern Ireland are building partnerships with arts and culture to create meaningful experiences, support communities and make a lasting contribution to society.

Commenting on the Arts Champion awards, Brona Whittaker, CEO of Arts & Business NI, said:
“We have an amazing business community here in Northern Ireland and, over the years, we’ve been fortunate to work with hundreds of businesses who proudly support arts and culture. People increasingly want to know what a business stands for, what it values and how it contributes to the communities around it.”

“Our twelve Arts Champion businesses, each bring something different to the table, from legal firms volunteering their time and expertise to support the boards of local arts organisations, to transport providers embedding community-led art into public infrastructure. The breadth of these partnerships is inspiring, but what they all share is a belief that investing in arts and culture creates opportunities and helps to shape a better Northern Ireland for us all.”

As Arts & Business NI approaches its 40th birthday, it is calling on more businesses across Northern Ireland to discover the opportunities that come from engaging with their local arts and cultural scene. Whether through sharing expertise, investing in creative projects or building long-term partnerships, businesses can make a meaningful contribution and achieve their goals. To find out how to get involved with the A&BNI network, contact Arts & Business NI at www.artsandbusinessni.org.uk