merrion street

• Minister to launch Creative Ireland internationally
• Culture Ireland US Programme for 2017 to be unveiled
• Druid production ‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’ to open in NYC this wee

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, is today (Wednesday) travelling to New York for a series of arts and cultural events. As part of the trip the Minister will launch Creative Ireland Programme / Clár Éire Ildánach internationally and will also unveil the 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.

Minister Humphreys will attend a preview screening of the Druid production The Beauty Queen of Leenane, supported by Culture Ireland, which opens in New York on Friday at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). She will also visit the site of the new Irish Arts Centre, which is receiving financial support from the Irish Government. The Minister will also meet with a variety of stakeholders involved in Irish arts in New York, including representatives from the Irish Repertory Theatre and the Origins Theatre.

Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:
“This is an important week for the Irish arts in New York, with the opening of Druid’s production of the Beauty Queen of Leenane at BAM. It is Druid’s debut production at BAM and marks the start of an exciting year for the Irish arts in the United States. In total, we will be investing €1 million through Culture Ireland to support Irish artists to showcase their work across the US in 2017.

“I will also be showcasing Creative Ireland Programme / Clár Éire Ildánach internationally for the first time in New York this week. We have had a very positive response to the launch of the programme in Dublin last month and we are now driving forward with its implementation.
“Our Diaspora responded in an incredible way to the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, with more than 1,000 commemorative events held internationally. It is my hope that we can now engage with our Diaspora through the Creative Ireland programme, and garner their support. As a legacy programme for the commemorations, Creative Ireland sends a very positive message about how Ireland values its culture and how we intend to embed culture and creativity at the heart of public policy.

“I look forward to meeting with a variety of stakeholders involved in the Irish arts scene, which is thriving in New York. It is vitally important that the Irish Government continues to support Irish artists abroad as they grow their audiences and gain invaluable international exposure.”