The VIRTUS philanthropic awards recently selected Vojvodjanska Bank as one of three finalists for its "Long-Term Partnership Between Profit and Non-Profit Sector" award, in recognition of the bank’s collaborative efforts with the Gallery of Matica Srpska.

The bank received three of 12 nominations for the award, but the nomination from the gallery secured it its top-three spot.

Vojvodjanska Bank and the Gallery of Matica Srpska have been working together on an exhibition entitled “Responsibility in Culture,” making 40 paintings from the bank’s art collection available for purchase through the gallery. Professionals from the gallery processed all of the artwork, including inventorying, cataloguing, photographing and valuing, while Vojvodjanska Bank used the funds generated from painting sales for a reconstruction of its entrance, making it accessible for people using wheelchairs.

In addition to being available for art collectors, the paintings -- by national painters from the latter half of the 20th century -- are also available to the public thanks to periodic viewings. The bank sees its finalist status for the  award as a recognition of its efforts and careful implementation of projects to ensure maximum benefit to the surrounding community.