Guinness project hopes talent will rise to the top

DUBLIN’S talented and creative people have been urged to come forward and avail of a major new initiative that aims to support those who contribute to the cultural life of the city.

Guinness & Co has launched Arthur Guinness Projects, which is designed to champion and celebrate people whose ideas, passion and spirit are enhancing and shaping our culture and identity.

The initiative sets out to invest in Ireland’s creators, visionaries and innovators across four areas of creativity and culture including music, sport, arts and food.

A total of e3 million will be given to people and their projects across Ireland over the next three years, with up to 20 projects benefitting every year.

An Arthur Guinness Projects panel has been created to choose the overall winners and to provide mentoring and support.

Comprised of 16 experts, four within each category, the panel will be spearheaded by world-renowned Irish band, The Script, who will also be performing at the Arthur’s Day 2013 celebration on September 26.

Food guru, Dylan McGrath, Donegal inter-county manager and sports consultant, Jim McGuinness and celebrated Irish actor, Chris O’ Dowd are also getting involved.

Applications can be submitted online until August 9 via www.arthurguinnessprojects.com.

The general public will vote online for the projects that they would most like to see come to life during the application period.

Then the top 10 per cent of applications in each category, as voted by the public, will be reviewed by the Arthur Guinness Projects panel who will then choose the overall winning projects.

There will be a wild card element to the process with the Arthur Guinness Projects panel choosing one project from each of the four categories.

The expert panel will be looking for projects that inspire everyone across the island of Ireland and will focus on those that deliver on innovation, creativity and achievability, as well as delivering cultural and social good.

Speaking at the launch, Stephen O’Kelly, Marketing Director of Guinness, said:

“Arthur Guinness Projects has been inspired by our founder, Arthur Guinness. He was a true visionary, one of the original innovators who, along with many generations of the Guinness family, made many varied philanthropic gestures.

“We are continuing this tradition with the launch of the Arthur Guinness Projects.

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Chris O’Dowd added: “Ireland has been waiting for an initiative like Arthur Guinness Projects. There are so many people with amazing ideas and coupled with an energy and passion that us Irish are renowned for.

“I have no doubt that this will help to unearth some incredible talent.

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For more on Arthur Guinness Projects cultural initiative, visit www.ArthurGuinnessProjects.com