Belfast Businesses to `touch base` with art

Business leaders are being invited to brighten up local communities through street art.

The invitation is being issued by Belfast City Council as part of Base - Belfast`s first ever indoor international street art festival - taking place at the Ulster Hall on 20 and 21 February.

The festival will transform the Ulster Hall into a mini urban village and feature some of the finest urban artists from across Ireland, Britain and Europe. There will also be live painting, music and market stalls to captivate, enthral and inject a kaleidoscope of urban colour into a grey winter`s weekend.

During a special business breakfast, Northern Ireland`s business, political, voluntary and community leaders will be urged to join together to inject the `feel good factor` back into local communities by purchasing exclusive high quality works of urban art - and then presenting them to local hospitals, schools, youth clubs, charitable groups and community centres.

Base is sponsored by Stratagem, Northern Ireland`s leading public affairs company. Stratagem`s Gráinne Walsh commented:

"We are delighted to support the Base Business Breakfast. Stratagem recognises the real value of bringing together our home grown artistic and business talent from across the region at this unique event."

"We loved the idea of businesses being given the opportunity to purchase the high quality art produced over the weekend and donating it to a charity or organisation of their choice. We all know the mutual benefit that comes from business and arts partnerships, but we also know that CSR budgets can come under pressure in tough economic times like these.

"This Business Breakfast shows that you don`t have to break the bank to make a real difference to a local community group or charity."

Heather Carr, Business Development Manger for Arts and Business, added:

"We need more forward thinking companies like Stratagem who see the value of investing in the arts and hope that this project will give businesses an easy and cost efficient way to support local artists and our community as a whole."

Festival organiser, Adam Turkington, commented:

"This is a fantastic chance for businesses to give the community something tangible that will really brighten up public buildings from community centres and playgroups to hospitals and youth centres.

"It`s ideal for businesses that are looking for CSR opportunities - and, of course, a good breakfast is included!"

Businesses and community groups interested in participating in the Base Business Breakfast at the Ulster Hall on Monday 22 February should contact Adam by phoning 028 9033 4423, or by emailing turkingtona@waterfront.co.uk

Base is sponsored by Stratagem and has received additional support from Arts & Business, Belfast City Council`s Community Festivals Fund and Northern Ireland Tourist Board`s Tourist Innovation Fund.

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