The Arthur Guinness Project was initiated to “celebrate the next chapter of Irish talent and creativity” by Diageo as a platform through which the public can decide which projects receive funding. It has been a controversial topic amongst Ireland’s creatives throughout the summer months. On Monday 23rd of September, after an intense campaign, it was announced that GoldenPlec is one of three winners in the music category. In light of this exciting development, we were keen to meet up with members of the judging panel, The Script, to discuss the Project, the criticisms it faced and the current state of arts funding in Ireland.
Guitarist Mark Sheehan spoke openly about his involvement in the Project and why it appealed to him. In an interview with GoldenPlec at the launch of the competition in June, he had stated he was eager to be a part of it due to the fact that it was supporting Irish initiatives and that it was a great idea. Now that it’s over his views have not changed.
“I feel great about it, it was fantastic to see all the entries coming in,” he told GoldenPlec. “That was why we got involved at a seed level. The response was amazing and to be able to promote this stuff in Ireland, particularly in the economic downturn, is great. I think it’s good to turn to the arts and I always find [singing or playing is] one thing people can do in the most tragic times.”
The Project received almost seven-hundred entries and the nation was encouraged to vote daily for their favourites to via Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks. Mark stated they were mainly involved with the finalists.
“I tried to keep an eye on the whole thing but there was an awful lot. There were about 15 finalists and from that we picked three to receive funding. I thought it was great to pick things like – one of the projects we looked at was how vocals and singing helps people with Parkinsons and then GoldenPlec provides young journalists and photographers with a hub to go to. [We aimed to] promote creativity that really broad-stroked across the entertainment sector, [that would] really help the arts.”
We live on an island were creativity is, and always has been, in abundance. It is so intertwined with our daily lives that we often forget that the level of active talent in our nation is a rarity in this world. It is often in times of economic stress that creativity blossoms.
“Yes I think that’s when we write our best stuff. When we’re particularly downtrodden or even as a nation feeling particularly downtrodden. I don’t mean to promote that, but even with the blues it just seems to happen that way. This is a massive economic downturn. What are we going to do here as far as promoting the arts? This should be the time that we are pointing people towards our country. We have a harp on our passport. We’re the only country I’ve seen with a musical instrument on the cover of our passport; it’s obviously important to us.”
The Script at Dublin Caste by Owen Humphreys
At this point in their career The Script are constantly on the road and Mark spoke about the response and welcome the band receive on tour. “Whatever Irish men and women have travelled ahead of our band I have to thank because they have left an amazing taste in peoples mouths. They think Ireland has this magic wand when it comes to the arts and after a while I do believe we do as well.”
The Arthur Guinness Project was subject to a great deal of debate and criticism, mainly due to concerns that a large corporate drinks company would be sponsoring cultural entities and the fact that the encouraged sharing on Facebook was considered to be a method of free advertising for Diageo.
In response to this Mark had the following to say: “I have an analogy for that. I remember years ago seeing Robbie Williams play a big charity concert and he raised millions and millions and everyone said he was only looking for attention. They’re missing the point. Who gives a fuck? Seriously who cares. Did he raise money for the charity or not? To kind of jump to those conclusions….When we first got involved I really had to question myself. Guinness or Diageo is a drinks company but Guinness has always promoted the arts.
“I was born and raised on James’ Street. Guinness was the only company that put money back into the community by funding playgrounds and other things. I didn’t see that from any other brands present in the area. They were the only factory around that did that. They’ve surpassed drink after so many years, they’re now a cultural project. All the money from the gigs is going back into the Arthur Guinness Project and that’s a great cycle. Hopefully what we’re doing here is a long term project and that’s why it’s easy to just bat off those types of criticisms.”
It’s a known fact that The Script returned home after the release of their first album to discover the country in a state of financial turmoil. Their response was the release of For the First Time. With lyrics referring to the queues at the dole offices and daily struggles caused by monetary difficulties, it was a song that struck a chord with many. So, several years later, does the band notice a change in the country when they return?
“Financially, I haven’t. As far as communities looking for help, I haven’t. Everyone has to tighten their belts. Like everything, it’s a phase we’re going through. It’s hard for me to say this because my band are doing well but I’ve been unsuccessful for a lot longer than I’ve been successful. I’ve been broke and on social welfare for many many years. I do feel guilty in some ways but it’s finally happening for us.”
Mark was keen to draw attention to the emigration figures. “There are over 1,000 young Irish professionals leaving the country every week and I’m just not sure people realise this. My house in London is almost like a halfway house with the amount of people coming over. These are famine figures. They are slipping away in the undercurrent and it is hugely frustrating to young people.”
It is not all negative though, the amount of entries the Arthur Guinness Project received serves to highlight the wealth of talent and innovation present in Ireland. “A friend of mine asked were we going to record the new album in Dublin and when I asked why he said ‘cos there’s a new vibe in Dublin’.” Mark was also keen to give Irish acts Kodaline and Original Rudeboys a stamp of approval saying ‘they are releasing music of an international standard’.
The Arthur Guinness Project is not going be the saviour of our vibrant arts community, nor has it ever claimed to be. However, the debate that it has fuelled has raised awareness and emphasised that a re-examination of funding and promotional methods in the arts is long overdue.
As Mark mentioned, if other nations consider our heritage and current creativity to be unique and of world class standard, it is time that we acknowledged this too. In so doing, it is important to recognise that the talents of those participating in the cultural sector should be preserved, nurtured and supported rather than being belittled through unpaid work. Whether you are a fan of The Script’s music or not is beside the point; Mark raised important issues in this debate, as well as calling for change to encourage our finest and brightest to stay in the country.