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 champions cohort includes 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.
Another business being recognised is farmer-owned dairy cooperative Dale Farm. It is celebrating its tenth year of sponsorship of the Grand Opera House Pantomime, supporting one of Northern Ireland’s much-loved festive traditions. The partnership reflects Dale Farm’s ongoing commitment to the local arts sector and the role that live entertainment can play in bringing friends and families together.
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.
Speaking about the award, William Thompson Head of Consumer Banking NI at Bank of Ireland said: “We are delighted to be recognised as part of the A&BNI Arts Champion cohort. It is a privilege to play our part in supporting arts and culture across the island of Ireland. The arts have a unique ability to uplift, connect and bring people together, and through our partnerships, we are proud to support initiatives that make a meaningful and lasting difference to our communities.”
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 the Arts & Business NI team at info@artsandbusinessni.org.uk.
The 2026 Arts Champions are:
A&L Goodbody: Law firm A&L Goodbody is recognised for its commitment to partnerships with leading arts organisations such as photographic gallery Belfast Exposed. The firm has also supported employee engagement in initiatives that develop boardroom leadership and governance capacity within the arts, helping to strengthen the skills and expertise available across the cultural sector.
Alchemy Technology Services: IT consulting and Insurance technology provider Alchemy is being recognised for its inspiring commitment to the arts which has enriched the region’s creative life. Alchemy has created opportunities for local communities to connect through the arts and demonstrated a belief in the power of creativity to inspire and empower people both personally and professionally.
Bank of Ireland: Recognised for its significant contribution to arts and culture across the island of Ireland, most notably through the Begin Together Arts Fund, which invested €1 million in arts initiatives supporting inclusion and delivering positive benefits for local communities.
Belfast Harbour: Recognised for its outstanding commitment to championing access to arts and culture and its significant contribution to community wellbeing. This includes its Community Awards programme, alongside cultural sponsorships including the Belfast International Arts Festival, demonstrating a strong commitment to enriching cultural life across the region.
Cathedral Quarter BID: Cathedral Quarter BID is recognised for developing and delivering cross-sector partnerships with arts organisations to drive footfall into the BID area and strengthen its reputation as a vibrant and welcoming destination to work, visit and do business. Its approach demonstrates the important role that collaboration between the creative and business communities can play in shaping successful places and supporting local economic and cultural vitality.
Dale Farm: Dale Farm is recognised for its long-standing commitment to championing the arts, demonstrated through its sustained partnership with the Grand Opera House. Through its support, Dale Farm has helped bring the joy of panto to families across Northern Ireland, demonstrating a commitment to enriching lives by connecting generations and supporting wellbeing through the shared enjoyment of live entertainment.
KPMG: Audit, tax and advisory services provider KPMG, is a committed supporter of the arts through sponsorships and community partnerships. This includes its 19-year sponsorship of the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts Annual Exhibition including the KPMG Young Artist prize. In 2025, KPMG became the Lyric Theatre’s Gold Partner, supporting its education and outreach programme, which engages almost 7,000 young people each year.
Translink: Translink has demonstrated a strong commitment to integrating public art across the region’s transport network. By embedding creativity into everyday journeys and collaborating with local artists and arts organisations, it has created meaningful cultural experiences that engage schools and communities while enriching public spaces.
Millar McCall Wylie: Leading local law firm Millar McCall Wylie is recognised for its commitment to supporting the arts sector and recognising how it enhances its own culture. A longstanding supporter of events such as Belfast Media Festival and the Royal Television Society Awards, the firm regularly connects with arts organisations for team development, wellness workshops and client hospitality. The firm encourages young solicitors to join the boards of arts organisations to gain valuable professional experience and, this year, published a podcast series on women in media celebrating the depth of female creative talent here.
HM Chartered Accountants: HM Chartered Accountants is recognised for its long-standing commitment to championing excellence in charity governance. Through this work, the firm has helped strengthen the resilience, accountability and sustainability of organisations across the voluntary and cultural sectors.
Ulster Carpets: Ulster Carpets is recognised for its long-standing commitment to championing the arts for the wellbeing of local communities, demonstrated through its sustained partnership with the Ulster Orchestra. This partnership has helped bring the transformative power of live music to children in hospital and their families.
Ulster University: Ulster University is recognised for its commitment to arts, culture, education and professional development through strategic partnerships with leading cultural organisations. This includes its support for the TradFest Summer School, which welcomed around 1,100 participants from across the world for high-quality learning in traditional music, song and dance, and its role as a core host venue and educational partner for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, hosting Scoil Éigse and All-Ireland competitions at its Belfast campus.
Sign up to our newsletter
