On Tuesday, the 6^th of October, 175 businesses and arts leaders gathered together at the iconic Central Park Boathouse in New York City to honor the best businesses partnering with the arts in America at the annual BCA 10 Awards. Now in its eleventh year, this black-tie gala presented by Americans for the Arts’ Business Committee for the Arts brought an evening of stories and musical performances that testified to the ability of the arts to uplift and inspire.

The companies recognized this year join an illustrious list of honorees who are transforming their businesses and their communities by partnering with the arts to foster innovation, engage employees, and contribute to the health and quality of local life. This year’s BCA 10 honorees are:

• Ameriprise Financial
• AutoZone
• BNY Mellon
• Corning Incorporated
• GE’s FirstBuild
• Prospective Inc.
• NV Energy and the NV Energy Foundation
• Spec’s Wines, Spirits, and Finer Foods
• Trust Company of Kansas
• U.S. Bank

Duke Energy was named this year’s BCA Hall of Fame recipient, and Jorge M. Pérez, Chairman of The Related Group, was named the 2015 BCA Leadership Award recipient.

The night kicked off with a cocktail hour for attendees overlooking the Central Park Lake, and was followed by award presentations, dinner, and musical performances. Each BCA honoree was presented with an original inscribed piece of glass from the artists at Rosetree Glass. Husband and wife team Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, both Broadway stars, sang both individually and together hits from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Kander and Ebb, and others. Pianist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, the youngest-ever Julliard admitted student (at age 14 to the Bachelor’s Degree and at age 18 to the Master’s Degree), also gave a stunning solo performance.

AutoZone, Corning, and GE’s FirstBuild appreciate that the arts can help inspire innovative thinking among employees. For example, at two of AutoZone’s annual conventions, the company commissioned arts partner Opera Memphis to create an original performance to remind employees of the company’s values through song. Corning and GE’s FirstBuild bring artists in to work side by side with employees and collaborate on special manufacturing projects. In addition, by supporting of a variety of arts education programs, Spec’s Wines, Spirits, and Finer Foods  has made evident the power of the arts to positively impact the next generation of leaders. Learn more about the arts can foster critical thinking among employees.

Ameriprise Financial, NV Energy and the NV Energy Foundation, and U.S. Bank have improved equity in their communities by helping to ensure that minority groups and underserved audiences have access to arts programming. BNY Mellon’s jazz programs in the Mid Atlantic have helped preserve the area’s cultural heritage, and establish Pittsburgh as a cultural destination. Prospective Inc.’s engagement with public art has brought economic value to the region, and The Trust Company of Kansas’ “Wichita: Supporting The Arts” program and website helps local organizations thrive. Learn more about how the arts can contribute to the health and quality of life in communities.

Duke Energy’s outstanding support of the arts can be seen throughout the Carolinas, Florida, and Ohio, and Jorge M. Pérez’s combined passion for arts and real estate is helping to lay the foundation for vibrant, emerging neighborhoods in South Florida. 

Do you know of a business that deserves to be recognized for its partnerships with the arts? Nominations for the BCA 10 Awards open November 1st. We look forward to learning about the creative arts and business partnerships in your community!

View the BCA 10 program book to learn more about this year’s best businesses partnering with the arts.

See more photos from the 2015 gala!