Why do businesses support the Arts? | Dominic Deeson answers our Five Questions…

As funding for the arts becomes increasingly hard to come by, there is a necessity of us all to explore opportunities to attract support from the private sector. Last year was the first Wise Words Festival and with this aim in mind, I set about approaching local businesses enquiring if they would sponsor this ‘new and exciting’ event for the city. Within half an hour of sending out my email I had a positive response from Deeson’s Creative who offered to design our marketing and brand our festival. We were of course delighted but not just a little surprised by their generosity.

Last year I wanted to ask “what’s in it for you?” but I was terrified that my question would make them realise that they had made a mistake. I couldn’t understand how such a successful and established company would benefit from supporting a small festival in its first year.

This year, when Deesons offered to extend their support and Dominic Deeson, their chairman, agreed to be on our Advisory Board, I plucked up the courage to ask the question. Dominic’s answer taught me something important… That businesses support our work for all sorts of reasons not just for financial gain.

I found Dominic’s reply intriguing so wanted to share it with you and know a little more. Dominic kindly agreed to this, and to answer our five additional questions….

Both my mother and father were from literary backgrounds. My maternal grandfather had more than 70 science fiction novels published, a couple of which were made into Hollywood films. My father was absolutely passionate about the written word and made his living all of his working life from writing. When he died, he had a library totaling thousands of books. So, with this kind of background my destiny was set and Wise Words is a project to which I naturally gravitate.

When you were six what was your ambition?

To be George Best, Superman, a newsreader, a journalist and a vet – all at the same time. I just about achieved one of them.

What makes your heart sing?

My children (most of the time) and, what I consider to be, good writing and good music.

What makes your heart sink?

My children (occasionally) and the growing realisation – this is an age thing – that the human race is as stupid now as it ever has been.

Whose face would you most like to see across the breakfast table?

I should say Rachel’s, my wife, but as I am a morning person and she definitely isn’t, that ambition is rarely fulfilled. Shame, because breakfast is the best meal of the day. Naturally, she doesn’t agree.

Do you enjoy poetry and if so, do you have one poem that you consider a friend?

Truly, terrible confession time: I think I was deterred from developing a love of poetry by various English teachers who thought learning verse by rote was constructive. My father hammered into me that a good writer can write about anything and adapt to any style. I agree with that but because I don’t ‘understand’ poetry, I can’t write it and so I don’t read it. I’m not sure that makes any sense at all, which smugly sums up my confusion about poetry.

Thank you Dominic for your great responses. What you say about learning verse by rote is very interesting. Sir Andrew Motion will be offering teachers the opportunity to discuss the difference between learning by heart and learning by rote at this year’s festival – you have confirmed by feelings about how important this distinction is.

We hope that you will be pleased to hear that our first advisory board meeting will be a picnic breakfast on the river.