2 ALLIANZ BUSINESS TO ARTS AWARDS 2009 Sunday Independent May 24, 2009
The cream of the
creativity pool
Each of the 82 nominees in the 2009 Allianz Business to Arts Awards reflect the innovative partnerships taking place between businesses, artists and arts organisations
around the island, helping to open up new perspectives for both parties in order to survive these challenging economic times
significant benefits of these types of approach that ticked all the boxes for us
W
ITH so many excellent
entries in this year’s relationships.” in terms of community inclusion, the
Allianz Business to Both Murphy and Keating point to the quality of the artwork that was gener-
Arts Awards, judging Bord na Móna entry, ‘Sculpture in the ated and the creative approach to spon-
the projects was never Parklands’, at Lough Boora, Co Offaly, as soring artwork,” she says.
going to be an easy task. After much being one of this year’s outstanding The judges acknowledge that the rela-
reading, debate and lively discussion, projects. tionship between business and the arts
however, the winners were decided at “It is a great example of a successful is vital for both communities, and
a meeting in Dublin’s Merrion Hotel corporate social responsibility (CSR) believe that the current economic tur-
in April. programme. This project represents an moil should not result in a weakening
Luckily, the seven-member judging innovative way of celebrating both the of the links forged in more prosperous
panel found it relatively easy to agree on natural legacy of Ireland’s peatlands years. Keating is quick to highlight the
the winners. and of Bord na Móna’s ongoing com- practical benefits of sponsorship for
“We met for about four hours – I mitment to them and their sensitive both businesses and artists.
thought it would take a lot longer, but development,” says Murphy. “It represents a creative way for busi-
it turned out that we were quite unan- While Sculpture in the Parklands has nesses to enhance their reputation out-
imous on a lot of the projects. We each been running since 2002, Keating feels side of the corporate environment. In
had our preferences, but most of us that by integrating the project with an times of economic difficulty, such
were in agreement,” says Sara Keating, international conference on peat in approaches are even more vital, not only
judge and freelance theatre critic and 2008, the artists created a whole new because it represents good value for
arts writer. Gerry Loughrey, Sara Keating, Fiona Gleeson, Michele McNaughton, Graham Wilkinson, Ursula Murphy, Damian Downes and arena for discussion. money, but also because it allows a com-
Encompassing 82 nominated com- Stuart McLaughlin, judges at this year’s Allianz Business to Arts Awards at the Merrion Hotel “It was a really well-rounded pany to distinguish itself in unique ways.
panies and organisations, the range of “Business involvement in the arts
projects was diverse, but the criteria obviously makes an impact for artists
for judging them was the same. Ursula financially, but these relationships ben-
Murphy, human resources director, efit artists in other ways also: through
Allianz, returned as a judge this year.
‘The collaboration that
in kind sponsorship, they can learn new
She says: “The emphasis was on good skills that can contribute to the running
relationships and effective models of
exists between business
of an arts organisation, while the
working or best practice that demon- exchange of new ideas and new rela-
strated both collaboration and part-
and the arts communities
tionships can also serve as a unique
nership towards meeting business, inspiration for artists.”
promotional and other objectives. Inno-
… has the ability to
The kind of creative thinking
vation and the successful development that led to the development of each
of mutually beneficial partnerships cre- inform and inspire’ project could be the answer to our
ated between business and arts organ- economic woes.
isations were looked for.” “Businesses everywhere need inno-
Keating agrees that the judging team from year to year, Murphy has been vation and creativity to both survive
was mainly interested in finding a cre- involved with the Allianz Business to and to prosper. In difficult times, such
ative approach to bringing business Arts Awards for a number of years, qualities become a vital ingredient for
and the arts together. and so is well placed to appreciate the success and those businesses that have
“Even in the categories dealing with growth and development of the Awards. an outward and inclusive approach
sponsorship, we were looking for some- “The number and diversity of nom- stand a far greater chance of survival,”
body who was doing something beyond inations received this year highlights says Murphy.
merely handing over a cheque to artists, the fact that Irish businesses are con- “The collaboration that exists between
so that artists were benefiting in more tinuing to invest in developing inno- business and the arts communities, so
than just a cash way, whether that was vative, practical and rewarding evident to the Business to Arts judging
through a company sending volunteers relationships with arts organisations to panel, has the ability to inform and
in to help a festival or arts event, or a achieve their own objectives and to inspire the very innovation and process
group of artists going into a workplace enhance or contribute to the wider com- change so often needed to stimulate
and being inspired by the business envi- munity and to society,” she says. growth and recovery. It is essential for
ronment. We were looking for a two-way “Each year’s entries show that the business to continue to support artists,
relationship and for that to be working business community is continuing to creating a virtuous circle that directly
in a creative way,” she says. invest in developing relationships with benefits both partners and contributes
While the majority of judges change arts organisations and gain from the Renowned pianist Joanne McGregor accompanied by the Irish Chamber Orchestra at the MBNA Shannon International Music Festival positively to society at large.”
Making the
transition
This year’s Allianz Business to Arts Awards sculpture
expresses perfectly how art can mirror the transience of
business life as we transgress through uncertain territory
FROM the world of business
Stuart McLaughlin, chief executive, Business to Arts; Declan Collier, chief executive, DAA; and Cheryl Brown, sculptor to the world of art, a com-
mon thread at the moment is
the current state of flux, a
state of transition.
Patron of the arts
This theme is part of the
inspiration for the 2009
Allianz Business to Arts ‘Flight’ by Kevin O’Dwyer ‘Shared Space’ by Natalie Delimata
Awards sculpture, created
by Cheryl Brown.
Cast in bronze, this
For artists, good patrons are hard to find. But even in these hard-pressed times, many abstract piece is aptly named
‘I wanted the
sculpture solely from bronze
businesses keep supporting and investing in good art
Transition and represents a was natural for Brown, who
bird with one wing out- piece to be works exclusively in this
stretched, in the moments material.
AT a time when many businesses are preoccupied with cultural expression, but also to provide direct support to the between rest and flight.
optimistic by However, extending the
survival and negotiating the tough days ahead, discre- artistic community itself by commissioning individual pieces “The sculpture reflects theme of transition and
tionary efforts such as supporting the efforts of artists are of sculpture as prizes each year.” change, but it is quite opti-
reflecting the
change, Brown’s process of
in danger of being overlooked. However, the Allianz Busi- Collier believes this relationship offers opportunities for mistic and stands for many
journey from
creating this year’s award
ness to Arts Awards is helping to remind companies that the customers and employees of Irish firms, large and small, things,” says the sculptor’s began with a more pliable
there are benefits to supporting the arts. to enjoy, sometimes in a very commercial setting or context, creator, Brown.
the current
material.
For Declan Collier, chief executive of Dublin Airport all the aesthetic qualities and perspectives a work of art has “I wanted the piece to “Wax gives me the free-
Authority (DAA), the business world’s links with the arts com- to offer. be optimistic by reflecting downturn to dom of expressing my ideas
munity must be maintained at all costs to ensure one of Ire- “In practical terms, the artistic community can also offer the journey from the cur- more and if it doesn’t work
land’s most vibrant asset bases is protected and its proponents unique marketing or problem-solving solutions to specific rent downturn to a time of
a time of
you can melt it down. After
encouraged. business issues.” recovery.” this, a mould is made and
Funding projects and leaving artists free to create, he says, In terms of DAA’s ongoing relationship with Business to The bird also represents
recovery’
this becomes the final
can have knock-on benefits for the companies that support Arts, Collier believes it provides the most direct and cost- the essence of flight, she sculpture.
them, including resolving business and marketing issues. effective means of maintaining and developing the compa- says, and this was a per- “The bird has one wing
A long-time supporter of the Allianz Business to Arts ny's long-established relationship with the world of the arts. fect fit for Dublin Airport expresses the partnership tilting up towards the sky
Awards, DAA (formerly Aer Rianta) has been commission- “And of building a profile, arising from that relationship, Authority (DAA). between the arts and and it really felt to me as
ing artists to design a different sculpture every year since the with both the artistic and business communities in Ireland,” “I wanted to make refer- the business world as engen- though it was a powerful
awards’ inception in 1991. he adds. ence to DAA, which has dered in the Allianz Busi- image: one that was able to
Last year, DAA sponsored Kevin O’Dwyer’s timeless sculp- As well as commissioning the sculptures for the Allianz been commissioning the ness to Arts Awards, as well capture the artistic ideas tak-
ture made out of hand-forged sterling silver and Kilkenny Business to Arts Awards, DAA also sponsors one particu- Allianz Business to Arts as reflecting the true work ing flight as a result of the
limestone, suitably entitled Flight. lar award at the event, the DAA ¤5,000 Arts Award. Awards sculptures for the ‘Transition’ by Cheryl Brown of the artist. collaboration between busi-
Not only is Dublin Airport Authority providing work for This year’s recipient of the prize is the Ballymun Music Pro- past 18 years.” The choice to create the ness and the arts,” she adds.
artists around the country, but it offers Allianz Business to gramme and the Music Room, an area that is a stone’s The piece also speaks vol-
Arts Awards winners a chance to get their hands on dis- throw away from the airport itself. umes about the role of the
tinctive pieces of art. Collier says recognition of such a great project and of artist in society: “Creatively,
Editor: Linda Daly
Over the years, many well-known names in the art world those that have gone before makes the DAA support very as an artist, you are always
Design and Editorial: Whitespace Publishing Group, Top Floor,
have offered their interpretation for the awards, be that in worthwhile. changing,” says Brown.
yew and ceramic such as Marie Foley’s Yew Mother in 1995, “Times, airports and budgets have changed, but the DAA “It not only reflects the
Block 43B, Yeats Way, Park West Business Park, Dublin 12
or copper wire and oak such as Natalie Delimata’s Shared is still proud to promote many artistic activities and events times we are in, but also
Tel: 01 625 1400 Fax: 01 625 1402
Space in 2005. in the communities close to its airports, particularly those stands for that connection © Whitespace Publishing Group Ltd 2009
The sculptures’ histories read like a who’s-who of the art involving young people and music.” between business and
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world and the sculptures have stood the test of time. Business to Arts is just one aspect of DAA’s overall rela- the arts.”
Collier believes it is vital, even in these tough economic tionship with the arts community, and Collier believes the Brown, who normally
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times, for businesses to continue supporting the arts. fruits of these relationships can be enjoyed by all segments works on her own, says that
“The DAA and its predecessor, Aer Rianta, has been a long- of Irish life. she has never been com-
standing supporter of the arts in general and of the Allianz “Aer Rianta was one of the pioneers in forging a relation- missioned for a piece like
Business to Arts Awards in particular,” he says. ship between the worlds of business and the arts, prima- this before.
“The company is delighted, for a very modest invest- rily through the arts festivals it held at the airports and the She feels it was an inter-
ment, not only to promote the creative relationship between various works of art it acquired for the enjoyment of pas- esting process to come up
Irish businesses of all sizes and a broad range of artistic and sengers and employees alike.” with something that both
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