Gabriel Byrne Makes a Case for the Arts

I suppose it was the holidays. That’s what I’ll blame it on, anyway. Somehow, Gabriel Byrne made a presentation at an event in Ireland a couple of weeks ago and it flew right by me!

I never cease to be amazed at how he slips in and out of places, carrying the flag for artistic collaboration, project partnerships, and thoughtful progress.

At a recent special event for  Business to Arts in Dublin (“Business to Arts brokers, enables and supports creative partnerships between business and the arts. We work with artists and arts organisations providing a range of training opportunities and coaching to help diversify income streams, grow audiences and improve efficiencies”), Mr. Byrne said the following:

““When you look back at our cultural history, which we often take for granted, it can sometimes really be humbling and a source of wonderful pride to think of what we have actually contributed as a culture to the world from this small island.” We are, of course, aware of one particular contribution–and that would be Gabriel Byrne himself!

Shamelessly quoting the rest of the article:

“Gabriel went on to talk about the vital role that the corporate and philanthropic community will play in ensuring that we continue to build on this rich history at such a difficult juncture for all aspects of society in Ireland and, importantly, to dispel some of the myths around ways in which business and the arts can work together. He commented that “When money and art go together and that doesn’t mean that art has to be censored, that’s a fear I think that a lot of artists have, you cease to be insular because you move out into the world. And when you move out into the world of ideas, it benefits you artistically, economically, socially and spiritually. That is something that is a gigantic contribution that will pay off down the years. And to be part of that, to be part of being responsible for making the world move in that direction is a wonderful thing to be involved in. The generosity of these people to say, ‘ok, we’ll put money into this’ I guarantee it will pay off in years to come from the artists point of view and from the business point of view. Artists and corporations must sit down together and see what common ground we have, and see how we can mutually benefit each other. I think it is the way forward.”

A call to action for all of us invested in working towards a sustainable model of both public and private support of the arts, and an inspiring evening for those who joined us.”

I’m feeling inspired indeed. I love that part about moving OUT into the world of ideas. So often, we think we must only be interior and introspective about ideas, when the truth is that making ideas part of the community is really the way to make things happen. The way forward. Kudos, Mr. Byrne!

And here is a nice picture with a non-crooked tie.

Men in black suits talking “business to arts”