BMW/Lichfield Festival partnership honoured with new award

BMW’s Hams Hall engine plant and organisers of the Lichfield Festival have won a national award commemorating their long-term partnership.

The two organisations, which have been working together for almost a decade, triumphed in the BP Long-term Partnership Category at the 33rd National Arts & Business Awards.

In doing so, they beat off competition from prestigious arts organisations The Globe Theatre, London and the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.

Nick Spencer, manager of the BMW plant, said: “We are very proud to have won this award. As well as investing in the local economy, employing over 800 people, BMW places a high importance on supporting the community in which we operate. The Lichfield Festival is a great way to engage with local people and offer opportunities for everyone to enjoy and participate in arts and culture.”  

Festival Director Fiona Stuart added: “We are delighted that our relationship with BMW Plant Hams Hall continues to flourish and has been recognised in this way.”

BMW and festival organisers first collaborated in 2003 and the sponsorship has since developed into an in-depth and interactive relationship.

From knitted engines to musical instruments produced from engine components, there have a been a number of arts projects enhancing the core sponsorship  and festival programming, which organisers said had benefited the community, school groups, festival audiences and BMW employees.

Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “The Arts and Business award-winners are truly inspirational and show that a huge amount can be achieved through the right partnerships. Business support for the arts is vital and I would like to pay tribute to all the winners for their generous contributions to our cultural life.”

This summer the 2012 Lichfield Festival takes place between July 4-15 and marks the ninth consecutive year with BMW Hams Hall as its principal partner.