Matt Johnson: Wealthy pioneers gave basis for art first

Oct 17 2007 by Matt Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

MANY reminders of how pioneering industrialists put their hands in their pockets, to help what they thought were worthy causes, populate our landscape.

And many of the surviving monuments to their largesse have become important elements of our artistic and cultural life.

With less than 11 weeks to go before Liverpool commences its reign as European Capital of Culture (a fact which should surely focus many minds), it's hardly surprising that some of these cultural icons find themselves centre stage in a show that needs a big audience if Liverpool's credentials are to pass scrutiny.

From the soap and detergent empire created by the Lever family we have the Lady Lever Gallery in Wirral.

From the family-owned shipping line that became famous around the world we have the recently (and superbly) refurbished Sudley Gallery in Allerton.

At Albert Dock – just a brisk walk from the former sugar refinery that bore the famous name Tate and Lyle – we have Tate Liverpool.

And it's here this week that the spotlight falls on what's arguably the first big set-piece event of Liverpool's 2008 Cultural Programme.

The Turner Prize is one of the best-known events of its kind in the arts world. Whether the short-listed exhibits float every visitor's boat will, no doubt, be debated. Whether it is an inclusive or exclusive example of modern art reaching wide and diverse audiences rather than an elite crew of gallery dwellers only time will tell.

What we do know at this stage is that securing the event for Liverpool represents a coup for the city. Since it was established in 1984, the prize has not been judged or staged outside London.

That means Liverpool and the Albert Dock outpost of the Tate empire will be welcoming many new visitors. And many of them will be influential not simply in terms of what they may say or write about what they see in the Turner Prize final, but in what they see outside Tate Liverpool as they negotiate their way around the city.

It's a great opportunity made possible by the support of many organisations.

And to think none of it would be possible if the great industrialists had not put some of the money towards such worthy causes.

Modern businesses go about sponsorships in different ways, but the fundamental principles remain the same – to establish brand awareness; to fulfil a corporate social responsibility requirement and to associate with success.

Turner Prize and Liverpool must do just that.

Here's hoping the event can reward the foresight of our forefathers.

* MATT JOHNSON is chairman of Mando