Partnerships between arts and business recognised

Partnerships between arts and business recognised

THERE is a new look to the Arts and Business Scotland Awards shortlist this year that reflects both the change in the organisation's remit and a fresh way of looking at the recognition of partnerships between business and the arts.

There are five new categories in the awards, of which The Herald is media partner, with between three and seven nominations in each category.

Collaborations are recognised for excellence in digital innovation, entrepreneurial/sustainability, international, placemaking and people, with further awards being announced on the night for Leadership, the Glasgow Life Award and the Enterprising Museum Award.

The ceremony will take place in the new foyer spaces of the Theatre Royal, currently taking shape next door to The Herald's Glasgow offices, on October 24.

Arts and Business Scotland Chief Executive David Watt said: "We have much to be proud of when it comes to the quality, range and breadth of cultural activity in Scotland and the Arts and Business Scotland's Awards will bring the spotlight onto some of the most vibrant and successful collaborations in the country."

The encompassing of heritage organisations into the sphere of Arts and Business Scotland sees the inclusion of The National Trust for Scotland, working with Clydesdale Bank plc on the Beyond The Gate access project, and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, up for recognition in the International category in partnership with Nomad Exhibitions alongside the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and First State Investments and the National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) and Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Other national companies in the running for awards include Scottish Opera, working with a Accenture on cut-price ticketing for young people, the RSNO for partnerships with Glasgow Airport and with TOTAL E&P UK Ltd, and Edinburgh International Festival for its collaboration with web design company realise. The NTS is also nominated for a digital innovation award for work with Quartic Llama.

The partnership between the Scottish Ensemble and Inksters Solicitors on performances in Shetland is nominated in both the Placemaking and People categories, as is Shell UK's support of Theatre Modo's work with young people in Aberdeen.

Among the smaller-scale projects up for awards are Glasgow's Glad Cafe, working with Create Forty Eight and Scottimage, Tromolo Productions and Access All Areas Ltd on the Biding Time (remix) show at Summerhall on last year's Fringe, and Noise Opera's custom built opera work for Sloan's Bar in Glasgow's Argyle Arcade.

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