Culture Ireland - Cultur Na hEireann

Culture Ireland - Cultur Na hEireann
Visual Arts in Cork

One of the key Irish art organizations, Culture Ireland (Cultúr Na hÉireann) promotes Irish art and artists, internationally. Established in 2005 and based in Dublin, Culture Ireland is funded by the Department for Arts, Sport and Tourism. It allocates grants for overseas activity to Irish artists involved (eg) in painting, sculpture and the contemporary arts, as well as arts organisations. It also funds and facilitates Irish participation at certain international arts events and manages important cultural events. Cultúr Na hÉireann also advises the Minister For the Arts on world arts events and cultural affairs.

Governing Board

The governing board of Culture Ireland is appointed for a three-year term by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. It consists of 12 members and a chairperson all of whom serve on a voluntary basis. Current members include:

Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin Uas. (Chairperson), Professor of Music, University of Limerick
Niall O Donnchú, Assistant Secretary Dept. of Arts Sport & Tourism
Davey Arthur, Musician
Mary Cloake, Director of Arts Council
Dearbhla Collins, Pianist
Mary McCarthy, Deputy Director of Cork 2005
Eve Molony, Businesswoman
Mark Mulqueen, Director of Irish Film Institute
Philomena Murnaghan, Department of Foreign Affairs
Doireann Ni Bhriain, Arts Consultant and Broadcaster
John O’Shea, Arts Festival Director
Peter Sirr, Editor of Poetry Ireland
Patrick Sutton, Director of the Gaiety School of Drama

Implementation of Culture Ireland's arts policies is undertaken by an executive staff managed by the Chief Executive.

Specific Tasks

Cultúr Na hÉireann provides financial support for Irish artists and organisations to enable them to:

• Present artworks internationally
• Develop diverse international markets
• Develop artistic opportunities via workshops, residencies and exchanges.

In addition, Cultúr Na hÉireann supports the representation of Irish painting and Irish scupture in showcase cultural exhibitions and other artistic events, maintains information online to promote contemporary Irish arts and produces high quality PR products, such as CDs and DVDs. The organization is also continuously involved in building and maintaining relationships with cultural organizations within the visual arts of Ireland and abroad, including bodies in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

Further information on Culture Ireland and its grant programme is available on www.cultureireland.gov.ie. Alternatively, telephone: (+353) 01-631-3905/3994/3917.

• For facts about the art industry in Ireland, see: Irish Art: Visual Arts Cork.

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