Call for More Investment in Irish Cultural Institutions

IFACCA/Artshub,
14 November 2006, Ireland

Ireland’s Council of National Cultural Institutions has called for investment in cultural institutions to be made a key element of the 2007-2013 National Development Plan. The Council (which comprises the directors of Ireland’s leading galleries, museums, theatres and concert halls) held its first ever joint news conference last week. Council Chair Aongus Ó hAonghusa, who is also the Director of the National Library, described state investment in arts and culture as “intrinsically good public policy”. Particular need areas identified by the Council included the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall, the relocation of the National Archives, the provision of a new block at the National Museum in Collins Barracks, a purpose built storage facility for the National Library, a new gallery project at the National Gallery, and new galleries at the Irish Museum of Modern Art. “As never before, Ireland has both the means and opportunity to address some long-standing deficits in cultural provision,” Mr. Ó hAonghusa said. “Further investment would build on and fully realise the potential of the increased investment made in the sector since the mid 1990s. The impetus of the past decade must be sustained. It is critical that our newfound self-confidence and self-reliance extends to the provision of cultural facilities that match our contemporary economic maturity.” For more information, CLICK HERE