The Context
The MAC, situated in the centre of Belfast, is an arts venue hosting a vibrant programme of visual art, theatre and dance for all ages. The MAC prides itself on being a shared space, a hub for the people who live in and visit the city to experience contemporary culture in all its forms.
Gilbert-Ash is an award-winning UK construction and fit-out contractor with offices throughout the UK including Belfast and London. Working across a number of key sectors including retail, office, industrial, arts and culture and science and technology, the contractor spearheaded a ‘Landmark Landscapes’ initiative that develops projects of an iconic nature that are of historical relevance.
As part of their new ‘As One’ campaign, Gilbert-Ash wanted to provide innovative solutions for staff personal development and progression. By energising staff and enhancing employees’ skill sets, Gilbert-Ash could ensure staff retention and become an ‘employer of choice.’
The Solution
The MAC embarked on a new partnership with Gilbert-Ash in April 2019, in which the contractor became sponsor of the venue’s Galleries. This new relationship allowed an innovative springboard to launch the ‘As One’ campaign, with the programme being designed to motivate employees and celebrate their corporate culture which encourages unity, collaboration and teamwork. To launch this campaign, Gilbert-Ash worked with The MAC to curate an exhibition of imagery from the company’s highest profile projects and buildings.
Through this partnership, supported by funding from Arts & Business NI, the two organisations developed new arts-based workshops using music and painting to address challenges in relation to staff retention and motivation. The MAC worked closely with two local artists and senior Gilbert-Ash personnel to design these workshops, which will harness employees’ innate and often untapped creativity. As well as embedding the ‘As One’ campaign within the business, this project supports Gilbert-Ash to use arts participation as a mechanism for engaging employees and delivering on core business objectives.
“In April 2019 we worked with The MAC on an ‘As One’ exhibition, designed by their Senior Curator Hugh Mulholland, to represent and celebrate how Gilbert-Ash has grown significantly, as a result of its unique collaborative approach working with its team, partners and clients to create landmark buildings around the world.
As an employee-owned company, we have a unique working culture and family environment; we really do work ‘as one’ to pursue excellence, delivering innovative, bespoke buildings all over the world. Our success is, in no small part, down to this environment and the hands-on attitude of our dedicated team of 180 – often going above and beyond to deliver stunning building. Many of our projects are based in GB and maintaining a healthy life/work balance can be challenging. We brainstormed ideas with The MAC team to come up with unique fun ways to engage and develop our staff, whilst supporting our objective to attract and retain people.
We appreciate the edginess and creativity of The MAC and are excited about tapping in to the creativity and fun side of things via their arts-based staff workshops, to bring our people together to understand each other and to harness the key sense of teamwork even more, whilst reinforcing our ‘As One’ approach.”
Ray Hutchinson, Managing Director, Gilbert-Ash
“The Investment Programme is a great opportunity for us to strengthen and extend our partnership with Gilbert-Ash.
Understanding that Gilbert-Ash operate in a highly competitive industry where staff retention proves challenging, we’re working closely with the team to provide innovative and artistic solutions for their staff development and progression by creating bespoke arts-based workshops for employees.
Through creative methods such as music and song within our workshops, we will encourage creative thinking and teamwork among the participants, all valuable qualities needed in the workplace.
We are delighted to work with our valued partner Gilbert-Ash to support the company’s position as an ‘Employer of Choice’ by facilitating these fun participatory workshops that will help drive staff motivation, create a sense of staff morale and togetherness, and boost corporate loyalty.
Throughout the project, we will work closely with local artists to provide them with time and space to develop their creative practice, with the MAC’s support and guidance, to deliver the project’s concepts and manage its rollout.”
Jen Rea, Commercial Manager, The MAC
