The Arts and Business Scotland Awards 2015will tonight recognise companies who are leading the way in creating new cultural partnerships.

The Business Creativity Award, a new category, emerged from the judging panel meeting for the awards, in which The Herald is media partner.

The panel was impressed with how many businesses are taking the lead in establishing and developing partnerships with cultural organisations, in order to drive and develop commercial opportunities for both parties.

Brian Inkster, founder of Inksters Solictors, suggested Arts and Business Scotland should create the category to celebrate initiatives which bring social and economic benefit to local communities, and his firm is inaugural sponsor of the new award.

Mr Inkster said: “When judging the awards it became clear to me that there was a need for a new category. This award recognises businesses who have taken the initiative in creating an arts and business partnership, which is something we should be looking to foster within the Scottish business community.”

The existing award categories are Placemaking, People, Digital Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and International, in which over 20 businesses ranging from Glasgow Airport to LaChunky Studios are shortlisted, a Leadership award to be unveiled on the night, and an enterprising museum award.

The event takes place tonight at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.