Irish Enterprise Awards 2021

20 EU BUSINESS NEWS / 2021 Irish Enterprise Awards , Best Arts & Culture Centre 2021 Based inCork, The Glucksman creates awelcoming space for future, current and graduate students of UCC to learn fromart and enrich the campus environment through the care and presentation of its art collection. Following its well-deserved success in the Irish Enterprise Awards 2021, we caught upwith FionaKearney to find outmore. Feb21075 As a leading institution for creative learning and access to visual arts, The Glucksman offers impressive and versatile gallery spaces which have thrilled audiences of all ages and abilities since 2004. To start, Fiona provides a brief overview of the organisation and offers more insight into its impact. “Since it was opened by President Mary McAleese in October 2004, The Glucksman has won numerous awards for its architecture and creative programmes including in 2020, Best International Museum at the annual UK Kids in Museums Awards. As a contemporary art museum we present ambitious exhibitions of Irish and international art in tandem with a wide range of events and activities designed to encourage participation from all visitors, whether an art professional or first-time gallery visitor”. Across Ireland, The Glucksman is one of several visual arts institutions that is of an exceptional level. However, as Fiona goes on to explain, its approach to sustainability and creativity has enabled the organisation to distinguish itself from others within the industry. “Over the past few years we have worked with UCC to reduce our carbon footprint and support the university in its green campus ambitions. In addition, with creativity driving every aspect of our business, we were able to provide an award-winning response to the challenges of COVID-19. During a difficult time for the cultural industry in particular, we were delighted with the international recognition of our digital leadership”. Despite the outbreak of COVID-19, a commitment to innovation has enabled the museum to prosper during these difficult and uncertain times as Fiona explains further. “After closing our doors on 13th March 2021, the museum launched a new online initiative four days later in the shape of ‘Creativity at Home’. Moreover, this was presented as a series of downloadable PDFs and accompanying tutorial films available on our website for free, ensuring ease of access for all audiences. As a means to escape and respond to the stresses and challenges of the pandemic, we invited families and young people to remotely engage in the daily art activities which were posted on our website and across our social media platforms. Naturally, the activities combined art appreciation exercises, creative challenges and art making projects all inspired by themes, artworks and exhibitions previously shown at The Glucksman. Additionally, we moved much of our regular activities online including digital exhibition programmes, art workshops and live artist and curator discussions. With people from Australia to West Cork regularly taking part in them, it was fascinating to see the international reach possible as a result of a global pandemic. Working with local groups, we realised the need to provide access to original works of art while the museum was closed and currently works from our art collection are on loan to community hubs, libraries and care settings across Cork”. Finally, Fiona comments on the future prospects of the museum as we look ahead to 2021 and beyond. “The last 12 months have proved very challenging but as restrictions begin to lift, we are optimistic visitor numbers will slowly begin to rise. We can’t wait to welcome in person all the people who have discovered us online”. Company: The Glucksman Contact: Mathilde Corbineau, Retail + Communications Manager Email: [email protected] Web: www.glucksman.org Address: University College Cork, Cork T12 V1WH Phone: +353 (0)21 490 1844