Allianz is calling for nominations from Galway for its annual Business to Arts Awards 2008.

There have been no Galway winners in the competition since 2003, when the National Irish Bank and the Galway Arts Festival received an award.

Spirits were soaring this year at the launch of the annual Allianz Business to Arts Awards 2008. Two little fairies from Fidget Feet performance company helped Stuart McLaughlin of Business to Arts deliver the entry forms for this year’s awards to Brendan Murphy, CEO of Allianz Ireland.

Allianz is expecting an increase in nominations this year from all counties as the awards move away from rewarding purely sponsorship relationships, to celebrate the full range of creative partnerships between business and the arts.

This is the 17th year of the awards and each year they attract numerous nominations from every county in Ireland. Businesses and arts organisations wishing to be considered for this year’s awards have until Friday 28 March 2008 to submit their nominations.  Entry forms can be obtained from Business to Arts on 01-6725336, or on the website www.businesstoarts.ie.

The Awards encourage businesses and arts organisations to develop and nurture mutually beneficial relationships, and recognise excellence by the individuals who champion those partnerships so Allianz is urging Galway businesses and organisations to make sure County Galway is well represented this year.

Speaking at the launch was Brendan Murphy, CEO Allianz Ireland, who said, “The world of business is constantly changing and evolving and organisations need to take a creative approach to adaptation. The arts help to promote a creative environment within an organisation and Allianz are proud to be sponsors of awards which promote collaboration and innovation. Organisations can often view art support as a very narrow field and feel if they are not a patron to an artist that they are not eligible for the awards but it is great to see the new categories that have been introduced to the awards this year. The change reflects recent changes in the business world and will hopefully broaden people's perception of how the business world and the arts world can successful collaborate and integrate"

Also speaking at the launch of the 2008 Awards, Stuart McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Business to Arts, said “Our 20th anniversary year is shaping up to be a very exciting one of change for Business to Arts in every sense! Alongside a subtle change of name, and a dramatic change of brand, we have reconsidered our Award categories to reflect the full range of creative partnerships that we see developing between artists, arts organisations and business.

We are delighted to continue our partnership with Allianz as sponsor, and we welcome the two new Jim McNaughton/TileStyle commemorative awards which recognise the importance of commissioning to both businesses and artists. We thank Dublin Airport Authority who supported the commissioning of the award sculptures for the 18th year in succession.”

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