Imagine Ireland
As Culture Ireland's year of Irish arts in America draws to a close, there are still a host of programme events taking place in cities and states across the US. Highlights include Gerard Byrne and Dennis McNulty in Performa 11, Cillian Murphy in Enda Walsh's Misterman at St Anns Warehouse, the Gate Theatre production of Krapp's Last Tape by Samuel Beckett at BAM and much more. Click here for full programme information on the dedicated Imagine Ireland website and sign up for our monthly newsletter for regular updates.
Over 60,000 visitors recorded at the Irish Pavilion at the 54th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia
Visitors continue to flock to the Irish Pavilion in the closing weeks of the 54th International Art Exhibition. Corban Walker is the artist representing Ireland at this year's Biennale, working with Commissioner Emily-Jane Kirwan and Curator Eamonn Maxwell. The good news continues with the nomination of the Irish Pavilion as one of the top ten in this year's Biennale by Venezia News, a great achievement for the Ireland at Venice team, who have already made history as the first and only Pavilion to have a dedicated App [Corban Walker: Ireland at Venice]. The App, which is free to download, features an exclusive interview with the artist as well as details of the Pavilion location and and images of the work. Further information on Ireland at Venice is available on the new website launched to coincide with this year's exhibition, which also contains archive material on previous Irish representations at both the Visual Arts and Architecture Biennales.
Culture Ireland delegation to New York, 6 - 10 January 2012
Applications are invited from artists, promoters or agents who wish to attend the annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference [APAP] in January 2012 as part of the Culture Ireland delegation. The Conference coincides with the Under the Radar and Coil festivals which also take place in January over this weekend. Priority will be given to those who have suitable high-quality work available to tour, with a particular focus on North America (for a period of at least 18 months after January 2012) and who will benefit most from the networking opportunities provided by the Conference. Click here for more information or here to apply online. Deadline for receipt of completed online application forms is 5pm Friday 25 November, 2011.
Expressions of interest invited for the role of Commissioner for Ireland's participation in the 13th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia
Culture Ireland, in partnership with the Arts Council, is committed to Ireland's participation in the 13th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, and to increasing opportunities and profile for Irish architects at this key international event. The Venice Architecture Biennale, as well as serving as a global showcase for architecture, offers the opportunity for Irish architects to engage with international audiences, influence future trends and explore their practice as an artform. Click here to download further information.
Fishamble: The New Play Company wins prestigious Fringe First award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan TD congratulates Fishamble: The New Play Company and actor Pat Kinevane on winning a prestigous Fringe First Award for their production of Silent at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Produced by Fishamble: The New Play Company, Silent is written and performed by Pat Kinevane and is presented in Edinburgh as part of Culture Ireland's annual showcase at the Edinburgh Festivals. Read the press release here.
Culture Ireland announces delegation of Irish artists to showcase at this year's Edinburgh Festivals
Culture Ireland, the state agency for the promotion of Irish arts worldwide, will lead a cross-art form delegation of Irish artists to showcase their work at the world’s most important international performing arts and literature Festivals. Culture Ireland has showcased the work of Irish artists at the Edinburgh Festivals since 2005, where they have consistently achieved popular and critical success, winning a succession of Fringe Firsts, Herald Angels and the coveted Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award. Read more.
Irish Pavilion at the 54th International Art Exhibition officially opened by Minister Jimmy Deenihan T.D.
Hundreds of Irish and international curators, artists and invited guests were welcomed to the Istituto Santa Maria della Pieta for the official opening of the Irish Pavilion at the 54th International Art Exhibition, la Biennale di Venezia. Ireland is represented in Venice by the artist Corban Walker, working with commissioner Emily-Jane Kirwan and curator Eamonn Maxwell. Ireland’s participation at the Venice Biennale is an initiative of Culture Ireland in partnership with the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon. Read more.
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht launches Ireland at Venice, 2011
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht launches Ireland's exhibition at the world's most important visual arts showcase. Minister Deenihan T.D. was joined by artists, curators and invited guests at the launch of Ireland at Venice, Ireland's representation at the 54th International Art Exhibition, which took place at the Irish Museum of Modern Art on Tuesday 10th May. Read more
Ireland at the 54th International Art Exhibition/La Biennale di Venezia
Ireland will present a new installation by the artist Corban Walker at the 54th International Art Exhibition / la Biennale di Venezia in June 2011. The Commissioner of the Irish Pavilion is Emily-Jane Kirwan and the Curator is Eamon Maxwell. Ireland at Venice is an initiative of Culture Ireland in partnership with the Arts Council/An Comhairle Ealaíon. Read more.
Culture Ireland seeks Arts Programme Assistant
Culture Ireland is currently seeking an Arts Programme Assistant as part of the FÁS Work Placement Scheme. Work includes event liaison, data input and co-ordination. Participant will gain experience in project management of an international arts programme, communications with arts practitioners, planning and co-ordination of international events. Applicants must be registered with FÁS before applying for this work placement and the closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 1 April 2011. Information and application forms available from here.
'of de Blacam and Meagher ’ Ireland’s exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2010, returns to tour Ireland
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin TD, launched the Irish tour'of‘ 'of de Blacam and Meagher’, the exhibition that represented Ireland at the 12th International Architecture Exhibition 2010 in Venice, Italy, at Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, Dublin on Thursday 4 March. Ireland’s participation at Venice, and the exhibition’s return to Ireland for this national tour, is an initiative of Culture Ireland in partnership with the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. Read more.
Culture Ireland Edinburgh Festivals Showcase, August 2011
The annual Edinburgh Festivals [Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival] are important global platforms for Irish artists to gain international recognition for their work and to generate further touring opportunities.
Culture Ireland aims to build on the success of Irish artists at the Edinburgh Festivals by supporting a selection of work in 2011 which reflects the excellence and diversity of contemporary Irish arts practice. Read more.
Culture Ireland launches Imagine Ireland, a year of Irish arts in America in 2011
People in more than 40 states across the United States will experience world-class arts from Ireland this year as part of Imagine Ireland, a year-long season of Irish arts in America, details of which were announced by Ireland’s Cultural Ambassador Gabriel Byrne. Read more.
Culture Ireland congratules Druid and Enda Walsh on winning Edinburgh Fringe First for Penelope
Culture Ireland joined Minister Mary Hanafin and Pat Moylan, Chairwoman of the Arts Council of Ireland, in congratulting Druid on winning an Edinburgh Fringe First for their production of Enda Walsh's Penelope. Read more. Druid's performances at the Traverse Theatre form part of Culture Ireland's showcase of Irish artists which takes place at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival each year. Read more.
Culture Ireland announces funding deadline and focus on the United States for 2011
The next deadline for applications to Culture Ireland, the national agency for promoting Irish arts worldwide, is 5pm on Monday 16 August. Culture Ireland is placing a strategic focus on the United States in 2011, and priority will be given in this funding round to high-quality projects planned for the US which have strong American partners in place, in particular in New York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and/or Atlanta. Applications are accepted from Irish artists/companies or from international presenters. Click here for application form.
Irish representation at 54th Venice Biennale International Arts Exhibition announced
Culture Ireland announced the appointment this week of Emily-Jane Kirwan as Commissioner for Ireland at the 54th Venice Biennale International Arts Exhibition in 2011. Working with curator Eamonn Maxwell, Ms Kirwan will present the work of Irish artist Corban Walker. Read more.
Culture Ireland announces programme of Irish artists at Edinburgh Festivals Showcase
Culture Ireland will lead one of the largest delegations of Irish artists to present their work at three of the world’s most important international Festivals taking place in one unique city this August. Since 2005, seven Irish theatre and dance companies have won the prestigious Fringe First award, with many companies subsequently invited to present their work at key festivals and venues around the world. Read press release.
Irish film wins prestigious award at Shanghai International Film Festival
Neil Jordan's Ondine picked up the Golden Goblet for Best Cinematography at the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) this weekend. Ondine was screened as part of a special programme of Irish features and shorts will also screen at the Beijing International Movie Festival this month and is supported by Culture Ireland and presented in association with IFI Reel Ireland and the Irish Film Board. Read more.
Irish companies nominated for Toronto Performing Arts Awards
Two Irish companies have been nominated for Dora awards following their recent performances at the Harbourfront Centre, Toronto. The Dora's are the Toronto Performing Arts community awards which recognise the best of dance, theatre and opera presented as part of the Centre's World Stage season. Druid's production of Enda Walsh's The Walworth Farce has been nominated for an Outstanding Touring Production award and Fabulous Beast's Giselle was nominated as Outstanding Dance Production. Award winners will be announced at the end of June. Watch this space!
dePaor architects invited to participate in main show at Venice Architecture Biennale 2010
dePaor architects have become the first Irish office to be asked to create an installation for the main exhibition at the 12th International Architecture Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia - which runs from August 29 to November 21 in Venice, Itasly. Read more.
The Future of Music in the Digital World, Friday 11 June 2010, Dublin Castle
Contemporary Music Centre hosts this international conference exploring the issues around the meaning of digital culture and how it impacts on the creator and the performer. Creative artists and organisations engaged in any area of composition, performance, publishing or distribution across all forms of music in Ireland are invited to join the debate. Read more.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen announces appointment of Gabriel Byrne as Cultural Ambassador
The Taoiseach has announced the appointment of Gabriel Byrne as Cultural Ambassador for Ireland. The announcement was made as part of the Taoiseach's mission to Washington where he commented that “Gabriel Byrne is an internationally renowned, award-winning actor and is already well established as one of Ireland’s great ambassadors through his work in film and theatre, as well as his endeavors behind the scenes in supporting and promoting Irish artists". Read more.
Druid success at Manchester Evening News Awards
Culture Ireland congraulates Druid Theatre Company who won two Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards for the Druid and Atlantic Theater Co-production of The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh. These awards recognise excellence in live theatre in Britain. The awards are Best Visiting Production and Best Actor in a Visiting Production for The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh. Read more.
Curators for 2010 Venice Architecture Biennale announced
Culture Ireland, in partnership with the Arts Council, is pleased to announce the appointment of the curators who will represent Ireland at the Architecture Biennale in Venice. The curators will work closely with the Irish Architecture Foundation, Commissioners for the 2010 Architecture Biennale, which will open in August 2010.
The curating team, selected following an open competitive process, is a collaboration between Tom dePaor, Peter Maybury, Alice Casey and Cian Deegan, who will deliver an exhibition about renowned Irish practice, deBlacam and Meagher. Read press release.
Culture Ireland congratulates Colum McCann on winning US National Book Award
New York based Irish novelist Colum McCann has been awarded the Fiction Prize in the US National Book Awards 2009 for his new novel "Let the Great World Spin." This is one of the most important awards in the world of literature, and joins other major international prizes awarded to Irish writers in recent years including John Banville, Sebastian Barry, Anne Enright, Seamus Heaney and Colm Tóibín. Eugene Downes, Chief Executive of Culture Ireland, said: "To win this immensely prestigious award is hugely significant for Colum and for Ireland. It is a richly deserved recognition of Colum as a major writer on the world stage, and one of Ireland's great cultural ambassadors."
The Lives of Spaces tours to Belfast and London
The Lives of Spaces, Ireland's representation at the 11th International Architecture Biennale (Venice, 2008) has been invited to the Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast (11 Feb - 27 Mar) and to the RIBA Gallery, London (8 - 28 April). The exhibition features nine exhibits by some of Ireland's leading architects which explore the central role of space in our society. Read more information.
Irish artists score major success at Venice Biennale
Visitors to Culture Ireland’s Irish Pavilion at the Venice Art Biennale have exceeded all expectations with over 40,000 people attending the exhibition since it opened in June 2009. In addition, the Kadist Foundation in Paris confirmed that they have purchased the Kennedy Browne piece Milton Friedman on the Wonder of the Free Market Pencil. Read press release.
Druid Theatre Company nominated for four Manchester Evening News Awards
Two Druid productions have received four nominations in the prestigious Manchester Evening News Awards. The Druid / Atlantic co-production of Martin McDonagh's The Cripple of Inishmaan and the Druid production of Enda Walsh's The Walworth Farce have each been nominated for a Best Visiting Production award, following performances at the Lowry in Salford. Aaron Monaghan (The Cripple of Inishmaan) and Michael Glenn Murphy (The Walworth Farce) have each received Best Actor nominations. Druid have received two of the five nominations for Best Visiting Production in what are considered to be the most significant awards for theatre in England, outside of London.
Culture Ireland Performing Arts Showcases, APAP 2010
As part of Culture Ireland's promotional mission to the US in January 2010, applications are invited from musicians/bands to participate in the second Culture Ireland Traditional Music Showcase at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference (APAP) in New York.
In addition to four art form showcases in theatre, dance, contemporary music and traditional music, a small delegation of art form representatives will also be selected to attend the Conference in order to promote work available for touring the North American market in 2010/2011. Read more.
Closing date for receipt of completed application form is 5pm Thursday 5th November.
Open Submission for Curator for 12th Architecture Biennale, Venice 2010
Culture Ireland, The Arts Council and The Irish Architecture Foundation have issued an open call for proposals from suitably qualified individuals or organisations to apply for the role of Curator for the 2010 Venice Architecture Biennale. Ireland at Venice is an initiative of Culture Ireland, in partnership with The Arts Council. The Irish Architecture Foundation has been appointed to act as the Commissioner for Ireland’s representation at the Architecture Biennale in 2010. Read brief for Curator.
Artists at the forefront in promoting Ireland
Following on from the focus at the Global Irish Economic Forum in Farmleigh last weekend on arts and culture as one of Ireland’s greatest strengths in competing internationally, Culture Ireland, the national agency for promoting Irish arts worldwide, has announced investments in an ambitious spectrum of projects in priority countries across the globe.
The Gate Theatre wins Herald Angel at Edinburgh International Festival
The Gate Theatre was awarded a Herald Angel for its season of three Brian Friel plays presented at this year's Edinburgh International Festival. The award, which was announced on Saturday 5th September, was made in recognition of the "superb stagings of three works by Brian Friel featuring first-class actors, and presented in marathon sessions". The Gate season was presented as part of Culture Ireland's Performing Arts Showcase which featured six Irish theatre and dance companies at the Edinburgh International Festival and the Festival Fringe. Minister Martin Cullen congratulated the Gate on the award as "another fine example of the impact of our cultural creativity internationally".
Contemporary Dance Showcase, APAP New York, 8 - 12 Jan 2010
Culture Ireland invites applications from professional dance artists/companies to participate in a contemporary dance showcase as part of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) Annual Conference in 2010. The showcase will consist of extracts (maximum 15 minutes duration, one extract per company/artist) from completed dance works to be performed in a well-appointed studio, under rehearsal conditions, at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, New York on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 January 2010. Read more.
Little Gem wins prestigious Carol Tambor Award in Edinburgh
Irish theatre company Gúna Nua picked up the Carol Tambor Award, the most prestigious award of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, at a special ceremony hosted by The Scotsman newspaper on Friday 28 August at the Assembly Rooms. The award, which includes a four-week run for the show in New York, was made to Gúna Nua and the Civic Theatre for their production of Little Gem by Elaine Murphy which played at the Traverse Theatre for the duration of the Festival. Read more.
Irish Showcase of Contemporary Dance at Tanzmesse 2010
In 2010, Culture Ireland plans to lead and coordinate a delegation of Irish dance companies and practitioners to the internationale tanzmesse nrw in Düsseldorf, the leading international festival platform for contemporary dance.
Strategic US focus for Culture Ireland awards
Culture Ireland has awarded over €170,000 to Irish arts projects in the United States. Over 70 Irish artists working in theatre, music, visual arts, literature and film will present their work in key US venues over the coming months. The awards were made as part of Culture Ireland's recent grants round which saw a total of €450,000 awarded to projects across Europe, Asia, America, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Read press release on grants round.
John Gerrard: Animated Scene, a collateral event at the 53rd International Art Exhibition, La Biennale Di Venezia
Three recent works by the artist opened to critical acclaim in Venice in June 2009. Presented as large-scale projections in a boathouse on the former monastery island of Certosa, this marks the first time the venue will be used for the Biennale. Each work introduces a virtual scene - astonishingly real but entirely and meticulously fabricated by the artist and his studio between 2007-9 - based on documentation of the agri-industrial landscapes of the American great plains. The project is curated by Jasper Sharp, curator and writer, and Patrick T. Murphy, Director and Curator of the Royal Hibernian Academy. Read more about John Gerrard at Venice.
The Lives of Spaces exhibition opens national tour at Farmleigh
The Lives of Spaces exhibition, Ireland's entry for the 11th International Architecture Exhibition at Venice in 2008, was opened by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism at Farmleigh Gallery this week. The Venice Architecture Biennale is the largest exhibition platform for achitecture in the world. Nine pieces were commissioned for the exhibition, by Ireland's top architecture firms, each exploring the central role of space in our society. Showing at Farmleigh until the end of June, The Lives of Spaces will tour to Kilkenny Arts Festival (August), St Munchins in Limerick (September) and Belfast (2010). Read more about The Lives of Spaces.
Culture Ireland congratulates Druid on winning theatre awards
Culture Ireland congratulates Garry Hynes and the Druid company on winning 5 awards so far out of 11 nominations across four different awards for their production of Martin McDonagh’s The Cripple of Innishmaan in New York. The company were also given a special award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance by the Drama Desk in addition to nominations across several categories in the Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League and Drama Desk awards. Keep up to date with Druid touring at www.druidtheatre.com
New Board Appointed
Minister Martin Cullen, TD announced the appointment of Culture Ireland's New Board in March 2009. The Board's role is to oversee the implementation of Culture Ireland's strategy, promotional initiatives and funding decisions. The new Board has been appointed for a five-year term to April 2014. Membership of new Board.
Ciaran Hinds Wins Best Actor at Tribeca Film Festival, New York
Ciaran Hinds has won the Best Actor Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York for his role in The Eclipse, the new film from Irish writer and director Conor McPherson. Culture Ireland supported the presentation of the film at Tribeca and this latest award follows last year's success for Irish actor Eileen Walsh, who won Best Actress for her role in Eden.
Eugene Downes, Chief Executive of Culture Ireland, said "Ciaran Hinds is one of Ireland's finest actors on stage and on screen. It's great to see his partnership on film with Conor McPherson being recognised in New York, following their recent success together on Broadway in The Seafarer."
Culture Ireland has awarded almost €700,000 in grant funding to over 80 projects, across all art forms, following a recent grants decision meeting
Over the coming months, a wide range of Irish artists and companies will present their award-winning work to international audiences across the US, Asia, Europe and South Africa. see full list of projects funded
APAP New York, January 2009
First they take Manhattan …. Culture Ireland leads largest ever delegation of artists to New York.
More than 70 music, theatre and dance artists from Ireland are bound for New York in January 2009 as part of a promotional mission for the performing arts led by Culture Ireland. In all, 9 traditional groups and 4 theatre and dance companies will give showcase performances to an audience of key US and global promoters, while more than 20 other theatre, music and dance ensembles and artists will be promoting their work.
Culture Ireland and Contemporary Music Centre launch contemporary music initiative - New Music New Ireland
The Contemporary Music Centre and Culture Ireland launched a promotional initiative, New Music - New Ireland, on 18 September 2008.Read the full press release
Abbey Theatre's production of Mark O'Rowe's 'Terminus' receives prestigious Fringe First award
The Abbey Theatre's production of TERMINUS by Irish playwright Mark O'Rowe was awarded a prestigious Scotsman Fringe First Award today (Friday 15 August 2008). The Fringe First Awards, selected by The Scotsman's team of veteran theatre critics, are given to outstanding new work appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and are highly coveted among the thousands of new plays produced at the festival.Read the full press release
Fringe First Award for Enda Walsh and Druid at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Enda Walsh and Druid were today awarded a prestigious Scotsman Fringe First award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for The New Electric Ballroom.Read the full press release
Over € 400,000 awarded to Irish artists and organisations: Culture Ireland announces details of its Summer round of funding - 25th June 08
Culture Ireland today announced details of its summer funding round: over €400,000 was awarded to 80 arts projects across Europe, USA, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.see full list of projects funded
For sample of Autumn highlights see the sample list.
Ireland’s participation at the 11th Venice Architecture Biennale 2008 announced
The architects who will represent Ireland at the 11th International Architecture Biennale in Venice, to be presented by Culture Ireland and the Arts Council, have just been selected by the Commissioners, the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) and co- commissioner Dr. Hugh Campbell, Senior Lecturer in Architecture at UCD. There was a strong response to the theme ‘The Lives of Spaces’ set for the Irish exhibition by the Commissioners and nine responses have been selected for inclusion at this key international showcase.
In different ways, the nine pieces explore the central role of space in our society, how it frames and structures the patterns and practices of our collective life, from domestic to civic, from personal to public. Included are projects currently in design and construction, as well as examinations of existing spaces. The exhibition involves many new collaborations and experiments, which open up new ways of envisaging, designing and understanding space.
Film Industry Trade Mission to Los Angeles A Success
28 February 2008
The Irish Film Board / Culture Ireland trade mission to Los Angeles last week put the international spotlight on Irish film and marked a new partnership between the two agencies. Over 25 Irish filmmakers took part and participated in an extensive round of meetings with studios and potential production, finance and distribution partners. Feedback so far from the participants has been very positive.
The Irish Film Board, Culture Ireland and Enterprise Ireland co-hosted a networking reception which was attended by US and Irish 400 filmmakers, and at which Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova performed their Oscar-winning song from Once. The week was capped with wins for Onceat the Independent Spirit Awards and the Oscars, while Daniel Day Lewis received the Academy Award for his performance in There Will be Blood.
"Culture Ireland was delighted to work in partnership with the Irish Film Board on this trade mission," said Culture Ireland CEO Eugene Downes. "It leveraged the high profile of Irish film in the week leading up to Oscar success and helped maximise opportunities for Irish film makers to gain support for their new projects."
The Oscar Wilde awards hosted by the US-Ireland Alliance, and with sponsors including the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland, also contributed to raising Ireland's profile in pre-Oscars week.
The trade mission garnered extensive coverage in the international film trade papers and the Irish print and broadcast media. Selected media coverage can be viewed here.