Arthur Guinness Projects: Funding the Future

Inspired by the great brewer himself, a man who understood that even the biggest ideas have to start small, Guinness will spend the next three years seeking out some deserving Irish trendsetters and giving them a chance to make their wildest dreams a reality.

Continuing the Guinness tradition of supporting talent and ingenuity in Ireland, Arthur Guinness Projects will invest in Ireland’s creators, visionaries and innovators across four areas of creativity and culture: music, sport, the arts and food.
Together with a mentoring and promotional support programme, the initiative will invest a whopping €3 million in projects across Ireland over the next thirty-six months, with up to 20 projects benefitting annually.
“Ireland is a place where there is an abundance of character, talent and creativity,” says Guinness marketing director Stephen O’Kelly, “and we wanted to play our part in invigorating our inherent culture by championing the wealth of amazing creative potential within the country. For many people, their dreams or ideas are on hold – and through Arthur Guinness Projects, we hope to help them unlock those dreams and set them alight.”
“The inspiration is simple,” he adds. “It’s everywhere and all around us. It’s people creating and innovating.”
A 16-strong Arthur Guinness Projects panel has been created to choose the winning projects, but also to provide mentoring and support to the overall winners.
Comprising four experts within each category (including our man Stuart Clark!), the panels will be spearheaded by world-renowned Irish band, The Script (music); chef extraordinaire Dylan McGrath (food); Donegal inter-county manager and consultant, Jim McGuinness (sport) and celebrated Irish actor, Chris O’ Dowd (the arts).
“Ireland has been waiting for an initiative like Arthur Guinness Projects,” O’Dowd enthuses. “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.”
Twenty projects will be announced for support on September 23, with each project being given between €5,000 and €50,000 in funding, as well as a potential opportunity to showcase at this year’s Arthur’s Day celebrations.
“Having the support of Arthur Guinness Projects will go a long way in helping someone get that important first step into the industry,” five-time HP cover stars The Script explain. “There are so many talented and innovative people in Ireland and we can’t wait to see some of the projects brought to life.”
Feeling inspired? Arthur Guinness Projects is accepting applicants right now, so there’s no time to waste! Head to [link]www.arthurguinnessprojects.com[/link] to find out how Guinness can help you give your project the platform it deserves.