The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, is today (Friday) launching Creative Ireland Programme / Clár Éire Ildánach at the Irish Consulate in New York, as well as unveiling details of Culture Ireland’s US programme for 2017. In total, Culture Ireland will provide €1m to Irish artists to showcase their work in the United States throughout 2017.
The Minister has also confirmed that her Department will provide €1 million in funding to the Irish Arts Centre in New York, which is developing a new building in Manhattan which will act as a hub for Irish artists in New York City. Yesterday, the Minister met with the Speaker of New York City Council, Melissa Mark Viverito and the Irish Caucus of the Council to thank them for their contribution to the Centenary commemorations in New York in 2016.
The Culture Ireland US programme for the US for 2017 includes a diverse range of Irish artists, including The Gloaming, Teada, Dervish, The Outside Track and McPeake, all of whom will tour the US this year. Up to a dozen Irish music acts will be featured at the world’s pre-eminent music industry event, South by Southwest in Austin, Texas in March and Irish visual artists will exhibit across the US from New York, Portland to LA. A wide range of events will also be held at the Irish Arts Centre throughout the year, with support from Culture Ireland.
Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:
“Creative Ireland is the Irish Government’s ambitious five year programme to place culture and creativity at the heart of public policy. Today I am meeting with key stakeholders across the Irish arts sector in New York to speak to them about this important initiative, and ask them for their support.
“The Diaspora thoroughly embraced the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, and this is especially true here in New York where a series of commemorative events were held. It is my view that cultural links are just as important, if not more so, as economic links, and it is essential that we continue to build on our cultural ties.
“Creative Ireland sends a very important message internationally about how Ireland values its culture and how the Government is setting out an ambitious plan based on creativity for the next five years. Two of the five pillars under Creative Ireland have an international dimension; Ireland as a Centre of Excellence for Media Production and Unifying Our Global Reputation.
“I want to send a very strong message about Ireland’s ambitions for our creative sectors and our vision to help children and communities to fulfil their creative potential. Ireland has an opportunity to lead by example as we roll out the Creative Ireland programme.
“I am very pleased that my Department is providing €1 million in funding for Irish artists in the US this year, through Culture Ireland. This follows an increase in core funding for Culture Ireland in the 2017 Budget, and will allow a wide range of artists to present their work Stateside in the months ahead.
“I was also pleased to take the opportunity to meet with the Speaker of New York City Council, along with the Irish Caucus members, to thank them for their contribution to the city’s 1916 commemorative events.”
Notes to Editor:
Creative Ireland is the Government’s Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016; a five-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which places creativity at the centre of public policy.
It is built around five pillars:
· Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child
· Enabling Creativity in Every Community
· Investing in our Creative and Cultural Infrastructure
· Ireland as a Centre of Excellence in Media Production
· Unifying our Global Reputation
Culture Ireland, which operates under the Department of Arts, Heritage, Rural, Regional and Gaeltacht Affairs, promotes Irish arts worldwide, by supporting opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues.
Culture Ireland Supported Events in the USA 2017:
The following is a list of confirmed events as part of the Culture Ireland programme in the USA for Spring 2017. Further artists and events will be announced in April.
· January 2017 Barnstorm Theatre Company/Sarah Argent
Sarah Argent in collaboration with Barnstorm Theatre Company will present the North American Tour of 'The Bockety World of Henry and Bucket', 15 January - 18 February 2017
· Cahoots NI
Cahoots NI will present 'Lights! Camera! Math!' US tour, 14 January- 30 March 2017 and 'Shh! We Have a Plan' at the International Performing Arts for Youth Showcase, Wisconsin, 18 - 21 January 2017
· David Rane/Neasa Ní Chianáín
Screening of the film 'In Loco Parentis' at The Sundance Film Festival in Utah, USA from 18 - 29 January 2017
· David Uda
Exhibition by Irish artist David Uda entitled 'In Bloom' at The World Trade Gallery, World Trade Center, New York City, in conjunction with the Streets to Tower: Life In New York City project, 26 January 2017
· Druid Theatre Company
Druid will tour Martin McDonagh’s 'production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane' in the USA, Jan - March 2017
· Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University
Sixteen Irish artists are participating in the exhibition '2116: Forecast of the next century' at Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University, USA , ending 2 April 2017
· Simon Fitzmaurice
Premiere of the film "It's Not Yet Dark" by Simon Fitzmaurice at The Sundance Film Festival, 19-29 January 2017
· Stoney Road Press
Stoney Road Press will attend the Portland Fine Print Fair, 27-29 January 2017
· Theatre Lovett
Theatre Lovett to present “They Called Her Vivaldi” at the International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) 39th Annual Showcase, Madison, Wisconsin USA, 17 - 21 January 2017
· We Banjo 3
We Banjo 3 - USA Tour, 18 January - 20 March 2017
Irish Arts Center programming supported by Culture Ireland for 2017 includes:
· As Above, So Below, Marie Connole: Jan 25-April 3 (Exhibition); Feb 23 (Artist Talk)
· The Stunning, Feb 3-4
· Declan O’Rourke and Orchestra, Feb 17-19
· Ryan Tubridy and P.J. Lynch: Patrick and the President, March 5
· SongLives: Cat Dowling and Hannah McPhillimy, March 9
· Muldoon’s Picnic, Rogue Oliphant, Marie Howe, Peter Quinn, and Colm Mac Con Iomaire,
· March 13
· 7th Annual Book Day, March 17
· Loah, March 21-22
· Baryshnikov Arts Center and Irish Arts Center Resident Artist Dana Lyn and Louis de Paor,
· March 27-April 21
· Cathal Hayden Masterclasses: Banjo & Fiddle, March 29
· Mairtin O’Connor Trio - Mairtin O'Connor, Cathal Hayden, Patrick Doocey, March 30
· Irish Language Day / Féile na Gaeilge, April 23
· Alan Titley and Cre na Cille, April 23
· Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh & Dan Trueman, Laghda: April 29
· Rooms: Enda Walsh, May 3-26
· Debut Voices: Lisa McInerney, May 9
· SongLives: Adrian Crowley, May 19
· Edges of Light in association with Music Network, Colin Dunne, Tola Custy, Maeve Gilchrist, and David Power, June 1-3
· Mundy, June 7-8