merrion street

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D., announced funding of €1.516 million by Culture Ireland for the promotion of Irish arts globally in 2021. The funding is to support Irish artists, arts organisations and Irish cultural centres abroad to present events covering dance, literature, music, theatre and the visual arts on the international stage.

Announcing the awards, Minister Martin said:“It is important, now more than ever, that Culture Ireland builds on Ireland’s global reputation for creativity and continues to support Irish artists to have a worldwide reach. The funding announced today will ensure support for Irish artists and enable Irish arts and culture to be enjoyed globally and will help to maintain Ireland’s critical international connections.”

The funding awarded will enable Irish film to be present in locations ranging from London, Washington DC, Chicago, Sydney and Melbourne. Music will be presented online including a showcase of 8 acts at Eunosonic this week and a programme of Irish bands at Celtic Connections will be presented at its annual festival in Glasgow this month. Theatre will reach New York in the form of “The Approach” by Mark O’Rowe, produced by Landmark Productions, and St Patricks Festival in London will take place in a virtual format. An annual and varied programme of Irish artists will be delivered by the Irish Arts Center, New York, Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris and the London Irish Centre in Camden.

Literature Ireland are supported to ensure that the work of Irish writers will be accessible to international readers through translation and a new series of podcasts by Irish writers and translators will bring their work in audible format to global audiences. First Music Contact will continue to promote Irish musicians to international presenters and audiences through virtual presentation at music showcases and conferences throughout 2021. Irish Film Institute International will present Irish film throughout the world with an enhanced offer through a standalone digital platform as well as open air screenings, online and hybrid events.  

The Culture Ireland Showcase Programme is critical to maintain engagement with international presenters in order to generate new touring contracts for Irish artists when touring is possible again. Irish artists will be showcased as part of the online version of Tradfest in January and Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas in February 2021.  

Please see www.cultureireland.ie for the full list of supported projects.