Coolkeeragh ESB wins a major award in Northern Ireland 's seventh Arts and Business Creativity Awards.

Coolkeeragh ESB was the winner of the Arts, Business and Community award at the Arts and Business Creativity Awards 2005 hosted by the BBC broadcaster Kate Addie and Sean Rafferty at an event in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast .

The judging panel recognised that as Coolkeeragh ESB embarked on a £200 million construction of a new power plant in the Northwest, it remained true to our philosophy of that support for the arts not only enhances the workplace but also provides benefits for the wider community. To reinforce and demonstrate this commitment and support, Coolkeeragh ESB approached the Playhouse - a Derry based arts group - with proposals for a two pronged programme of activity.

Firstly artist Simon McWilliams was commissioned to produce public artwork to commemorate the development of the new power station. An additional painting is being completed by artist Colin Davidson. Concurrently, four year long residencies were posted by artists in post primary schools with the aim of encouraging community involvement and inclusion in the artists, bringing new skills, techniques and ideas to the participating students.

The project will be long term and it is hoped it will produce a number of pieces of artwork for display within the power plant at Coolkeeragh ESB.

"The initiatives provide us with the opportunity to celebrate the development of the Coolkeeragh ESB power plant and to develop students' involvement with the visual arts within the local community," said David O'Dwyer, General Manager, Coolkeeragh ESB.

The Arts and Business Creativity Awards were established to recognise creativity and excellence in partnerships between business and the arts.