merrion street

The Minister for Arts, Heritage Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Monday) announced approval for the award of over €1.76 million in funding for the promotion of Irish arts worldwide during 2017 through Culture Ireland.

A total of 135 projects are being funded, which will allow Irish artists to stage events in 35 countries internationally. It follows an open call for applications from Irish artists, art organisations and international presenters. The funding includes a total of €860,000 for bodies who partner Culture Ireland in creating opportunities for Irish artists abroad.

One of the main recipients of funding in 2017 is the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris, which will receive €180,000 to enable this key cultural landmark celebrate its 15th anniversary next year with a series of very special events.

Speaking today Minister Humphreys:
“The support awarded by Culture Ireland ensures that the global reach of Irish arts continues and reaches a diverse audience worldwide. Our artists put the spotlight on Ireland and expand our reputation for creativity and artistic excellence.

“Last year, Culture Ireland supported events reached an audience of four and a half million people, and generated 260 full-time jobs. Showcasing their work overseas, from Edinburgh to New York and Sydney is incredibly important for Irish artists. It helps them to increase audiences for their work at home and abroad.

“Last week, the Government launched Creative Ireland, a very ambitious arts and culture initiative for the next five years. Pillar 5 of the plan is focussed on unifying our global reputation; Culture Ireland will play a very important role in realising this ambition. Given the rapidly changing international political backdrop, I think it is more important than ever that we help our artists to bring their work to a international audience.”

Notes to Editor:

A full list of projects is available [here]

Highlights include:
One of the main recipients is the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris which was awarded €180,000 to enable this key cultural landmark celebrate its 15th anniversary next year with a series of very special events in their autumn programme in addition to their usual extensive programme of events,

As part of its funding, First Music Contact will expand Ireland's participation in international music showcases with a particular focus on SXSW (Austin, Texas) to build on the new opportunities it has created for Irish musicians worldwide.

The Irish Arts Center NY plays a key role in the cultural life of New York, linking with the diaspora and generating new audiences for Irish artists, and support is being given for a particularly strong programme. This includes the American premiere of Enda Walsh’s 'ROOMS' in partnership with St. Ann’s Warehouse, who will simultaneously be presenting Enda Walsh's 'Arlington'.

The Irish Film Institute will support an expanded presence at international Irish film festivals/seasons, an extensive St Patrick’s Day programmes and Literature Ireland will have an expanded presence at international bookfairs (London, Frankfurt, Goteborg and Beijing Book Fairs) and a series of translation-related events as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin as well as continuing its key work in making Irish literature accessible to a global audience through translation.