CULTURE IRELAND AWARDS €800,000 IN PROJECT FUNDING – HIGH PROFILE TOURS AND SHOWCASES FOR THEATRE, MUSIC, VISUAL ARTS AND MORE

1st April 08: In its spring funding round, Culture Ireland has awarded a total of €800,000 to more than 110 arts projects across Europe, Asia, America, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

To mark the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008, Calypso Theatre has received €20,000 to present “Fairytaleheart”, a new play featuring young Irish and Kosovan performers, in Kosovo, while Michael Collins receives €4,000 to perform his acclaimed play “It’s a Cultural Thing or Is It” in New York, based on his life experiences as a member of the travelling community.

Another major cross-cultural exchange project, a six-week autumn residency in Korea by Dance Theatre of Ireland, will involve collaboration with Korean choreographers, dancers and musicians to devise and tour a new programme of work and is supported with funding of €40,000.

Among the new Irish plays being supported for Culture Ireland’s annual showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August is Fishamble Theatre’s acclaimed production of “Forgotten”, written and performed by Pat Kinevane. This follows on recent grants for performances in the Prague Fringe Festival, Sibiu Festival and the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris. Speaking at today’s announcement, Pat said: “Forgotten speaks of ageing, ageing with grace and sometimes, with massive effort, a theme that resonates in every alcove of the world. It is a blessing to be able to speak into these international corners through the medium of theatre, with the huge help of Culture Ireland.”

Support for theatre tours to New York include €80,000 to Rough Magic for the US premiere of its acclaimed “Improbable Frequency” at 59E59 Theatre, and €50,000 to the Gate for a Beckett season as part of the Lincoln Center Festival. In music, international touring grants are awarded to the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland (€20,000), National Chamber Choir (€10,000), Camerata Ireland (€20,000), and to Na Píobairí Uilleann for “Piperlink”, a major international tour of the US, UK and Germany showcasing the uilleann pipes (€20,000).

As part of Culture Ireland’s strategy to maximise artists’ presence in high-profile global showcases, galleries including Kerlin, Rubicon, Green On Red and Mothers Tankstation receive funding to present the work of leading Irish artists at the key international art fairs including Basel, London, Miami, New York and Chicago over the next year.

“Culture Ireland received a record number of proposals in this funding round, and the calibre of projects was striking. In supporting a diverse range of exceptional artists to present their work in key international contexts, we are aiming to raise Ireland’s cultural profile on the global stage,” said Eugene Downes, Chief Executive, Culture Ireland. Culture Ireland’s Summer 2008 call for projects taking place in August onwards has a 15 May deadline for receipt of applications, with decisions in June. Forms and further information are available on www.cultureireland.gov.ie. Full detail of the awards can be found on-line: http://www.cultureireland.gov.ie/grants/received/receivedgrant_march08.html