Annual report 2004 (English) - PDF 3546K - Imperial Tobacco

78
Cultural sponsorship:
an expression of Altadis’ corporate
citizenship
The Group’s policy with respect to cultural patronage is rooted in international
openness, diversity and exchanges, and the bringing together of cultures and ideas.
Patronage activities are focused on contemporary art and debates, for the benefi t of
artists, the public and Altadis employees. The Altadis Prize for the Plastic Arts and
ongoing lecture series form the cornerstone of the Group’s cultural sponsorship.
In addition, the Altadis Foundation supports prestigious cultural and artistic events
in Spain in the fi elds of art, music and fi lms.
Plastic arts:
discovering and promoting discovery
The Group is committed to supporting contemporary
artistic creation and providing a cross-cultural
perspective of contemporary artists in France and
Spain, thereby fostering a closer relationship between
two cultures. This objective has led to the creation of
the Altadis Prize for the Plastic Arts, which annually
recognizes six artists. Altadis works closely with
contemporary art specialists (two artistic advisors,
one French and one Spanish), who have free rein to
propose around 20 candidates to a jury also comprising
professionals, such as art critics, art center directors,
collectors, and gallery owners, for the selection of
the winners. Since the Prize was created, 30 artists
have received backing from Altadis, including the
purchase of a work by the company, a collective
exhibition in well-known galleries in Paris and Madrid,
and monographs published in partnership with Actes
Sud and distributed in bookstores and museums. This
support for contemporary artists has helped painters,
photographers, video makers and sculptors gain
recognition for their work beyond their national borders.
The Group’s initiative has received a highly positive
response, and its merits and originality are widely
recognized by the artistic community in both France
and Spain.
All of the works purchased by the Group in the last fi ve
years have been displayed in the company as part of the
Altadis corporate art collection. Employees receive an
invitation to the openings of the exhibitions every year.
2004 marked the fi fth anniversary of the Altadis Prize. David Torres and
François Piron were appointed as stewards and given free rein to propose
to the jury 20 candidates, who were presented to the public at the Palais de Tokyo
in Paris. The winners’ works were displayed at the Lelong gallery in Paris in
March 2004 and subsequently at the Oliva Arauna gallery in Madrid in June 2004.