· €6 million funding is opportunity for Limerick to hang out its brightest colours
Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, will this evening (Friday 18th October, 2013) launch the Professional Limerick Artists Network (PLAN) in Dr John's, on Thomas Street, Limerick.
Since March of this year, Limerick artists from all disciplines have been meeting regularly to discuss and review artistic development in the city. PLAN is the first network of its kind in Ireland, comprising professional practitioners from all artistic disciplines.
Speaking in advance of the launch Minister Deenihan said "In the week that saw Budget 2014 announced I am delighted as part of that process to have secured €6 million for the Limerick National City of Culture 2014 - Limerick is the inaugural National City of Culture, a new designation which the city will hold for one calendar year.
"When I announced a new National City of Culture Initiative last year - to commence next year in Limerick - it was with the aim of delivering a programme of cultural and artistic events and engagement in a city for one year, but which also has a longer-term positive impact nationally. I know since I made this announcement in 2012 that tremendous preparatory work has been undertaken here in Limerick.
"This €6m funding is an investment in the arts in the Mid West. The allocation offers Limerick a fantastic opportunity to hang out its brightest colours, to unlock the tremendous creativity that has been associated with the city for centuries, and to put on a programme of events of national importance."
PLAN's aim is to act as a representative body for artists in Limerick, the new networking group shows just how the sector has responded to the challenges and is developing a sense of responsibility and determination around sustaining infrastructure and policy for the arts.
The City of Culture concept is now well established internationally with the EU Capital of Culture brand, in particular, being readily recognisable. Studies of former European Capitals of Culture show that the designation is a valuable one economically for a city and leads to the regeneration of the city; the enhancement of the city’s image in the eyes of its inhabitants as well as providing a new vitality in its cultural life.
Concluding Minster Deenihan said "I am confident that 2014 will bring all of these benefits and many more to the city and to the people of Limerick."