Hollis Sponsorship Bulletin

Ernst & Young is to sponsor the exhibition British Design 1948-2012: Innovation in the Modern Age at the V&A in London, a celebration of the best of British creative design and talent from the past six decades.
The exhibition, which will run from March 31st – 12 August 2012, will bring together over 350 well-known British designs from fashion, furniture, fine art and graphics to architecture and industrial products, including a 1961 E-Type Jaguar and garments by Vivienne Westwood.
This is Ernst & Young’s third collaboration with the V&A. The firm sponsored the highly acclaimed exhibitions Maharaja in 2009 and Art Deco in 2003. They see this as another exciting collaboration between business and the arts.
Martin Cook, UK & Ireland Commercial Leader at Ernst & Young, said, “Businesses that are entrepreneurial and innovative can excel even during economic downturns, especially with great design. This exhibition is a timely reminder of the UK’s design brilliance.
We have been sponsoring the arts in the UK for 17 years about as long as we have been championing entrepreneurs through our Entrepreneur of The Year programme. Through sponsoring this exhibition we can bring these two passions together, as well as give the public access to great exhibitions even in the face of Government cuts.”
As part of the sponsorship, Ernst & Young will also be hosting events linked to the exhibition for its clients, business contacts and its employees and their families. Ernst & Young employees throughout the UK will be given free access to the exhibition.

This month saw Arts & Business unveil the winners of its 31st Annual Awards. Divided up into eight key categories, winners on the night included UBS, Deloitte LLP and Ernst & Young – underlining the pivotal role that financial services continues to play in supporting the arts sector.

UBS’ win came in the BP A&B Sustained Partnership category – for its role in turning a derelict power station into an internationally-recognised arts powerhouse. Deloitte LLP, meanwhile, won the A&B Cultural Branding Award in partnership with Royal Opera House for Ignite, an arts festival which broke new ground for both of the partners.

Commenting on the quality of entries across all eight categories, Colin Tweedy, chief executive of Arts & Business, said: “The winners show the astounding variety of imaginative partnerships possible between culture and commerce. If there has been a knock to the reputation of business during this recession, the arts are proving a perfect way for them to reconnect with their communities. Business has no obligation to support the arts. That they continue to do so is a force for good for all our collective futures.”

Ernst and Young’s victory came in the A&B Young People category – for a partnership with the South London Gallery which gave young people from local schools the chance to put together their own exhibition. Other winners on the night were Liberty Stadium and Pippin’s Designs; Ferry van Diijk and Hoxton Hall; Translink Metro and Belfast Actors; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and London Symphony Orchestra; and Edding Pens and Monorex.
Minister for Culture Margaret Hodge said: “Business support for the arts makes an increasingly vital contribution to the success of arts companies, exhibitions and productions. This is especially the case when times are hard.  The Awards showcase the imagination of sponsors and their determination to back high quality and innovative work – I commend them for their generosity and imagination, and the artists for the difference they make to our lives.” More at: http://www.artsandbusiness.org.uk