Advertisement

Multi-million Euro arts and culture funding announced

The government has announced a multi-million Euro funding injection for a number of arts and cult...
Newstalk
Newstalk

11.56 13 Feb 2017


Share this article


Multi-million Euro arts and cu...

Multi-million Euro arts and culture funding announced

Newstalk
Newstalk

11.56 13 Feb 2017


Share this article


The government has announced a multi-million Euro funding injection for a number of arts and culture facilities around the country.

The new funding has been made available as part of the Creative Ireland programme - the government’s new five-year plan to prioritise access to the arts, support artists and drive investment in cultural institutions.

Launching the initiative late last year, the Taoiseach said the plan aims to place culture, “at the centre of our lives, for the betterment of our people and for the strengthening of our society.”

Advertisement

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys today announced details of more than €9m in capital funding to be spread across 56 cultural organisations as part of the programme.

Seven “flagship” projects will receive the most substantial funding:

  • Solstice Meath Arts Centre - €300,000
  • The Irish Arial Creation Centre (home of Fidget Feet) - €350,000
  • The Hunt Museum, Limerick - €400,000
  • The Hawk’s Well Theatre in Sligo - €550,000
  • Cavan Town Hall Theatre - €750,000
  • The Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare - €1,000,000
  • Wexford Arts Centre - €1,000,000

A further 49 other projects are set to receive funding ranging from €20,000 to €276,000.

Minister Humphreys said the announcement is the “most significant investment in regional arts and cultural centres” in Ireland over the past decade.

“This kind of investment goes to the very heart of what I am trying to achieve through Creative Ireland and the Action Plan for Rural Development,” she said.

“Of the €9 million in funding I am announcing today, over 85% is going to projects outside Dublin.

“However, a number of very important cultural facilities in the capital will benefit, including The Irish Film Institute, the Ark, the Gallery of Photography and the Project Arts Centre.”

Irish rockers The Strypes joined the Minister for the announcement at the Cavan Arts Centre today:

Minister Humphreys said the money will be used to improve the audience and creative experience, fund new lighting and sound equipment in theatres, improve digital facilities - and to convert an old Post Office into an artist studio.

“Creative Ireland aims to promote individual, community and national wellbeing through cultural activity,” she said. “A vibrant cultural sector is essential to society and investment in local arts and cultural centres helps to facilitate access to and participation in the arts in communities nationwide.”

The minister is set to announce further funding in the coming weeks aimed at providing smaller grants - up to €20,000 - for not-for-profit organisations with a defined arts and cultural remit.


Share this article


Read more about

News

Most Popular