Building: An exploration of Bangor's built environment

Since 2006 Dunlop Homes has annually sponsored Seacourt Print Workshop (SPW) to aid its delivery of several initiatives. These have included graduate programmes which support students leaving the University of Ulster to make their transition from full time education to professional practice; production of catalogues that raise international awareness of visual arts in North Down and outreach programmes into schools. Support for the arts from business is increasingly an important element in maintaining a rich cultural life at local levels and we would like to thank Dunlop Homes for its foresight and enthusiasm in supporting the visual arts.

This sustained support has enabled SPW to source further funding through Arts & Business to deliver printmaking workshops tied directly to the theme of our present exhibition to primary school children in the Controlled, Maintained and Integrated sectors. We would like to thank Arts & Business for supporting this initiative. Taking Bangor’s built environment as their starting point SPW members were invited to produce an edition of original prints that reflect on their own response to buildings in Bangor, whether related to those from the past, present or future. These responses are documented in this publication and are accompanied by an historical review of Bangor’s development by Ian Wilson, manager of Bangor Museum. SPW would like to thank him for his contribution.

Angela Darby 'Safe' digital print

 

 

Over the last 5 years, Arts & Business has, through its Reach programme funded by ACNI, supported arts organisations and encouraged them to broaden and deepen their partnership with sponsors. The programme has sought to maximise the benefits of working together and to encourage partnerships, which make good business sense.

For arts and creativity to really flourish in Northern Ireland the support and partnership of the private sector is needed, particularly in these difficult times, when there are so many financial pressures upon all of us. The partnerships supported through Reach are shining examples of how many businesses are using arts sponsorship to increase their competitiveness, motivate their staff, nurture and develop their customer base and engage with communities

Arts & Business commends all of the businesses, who invest in our vibrant arts and culture sector. We hope that the partnership between Dunlop Homes and Seacourt Print Workshop will continue to flourish and inspire others who have not yet partnered with the arts to do so.

Beverly Coomber - Acting Arts Manager, Arts and Business