COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 13, 2008

QUESTION NO 23.

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

To ask the Manager for an updated report on the Council's Community Arts Centre Project, including information on the arrangements being put in place for the management of the Centre and if he can provide information on the anticipated financial resources to be available to run the Centre?

REPLY:

In February 2007,South Dublin County Council officially appointed Townlink Construction as the main contractor to undertake the construction of the new County Arts Centre located adjacent to the LUAS line, towards the front of County Hall. The project has a contract value of in excess of €9M.

The addition of the new facility in Tallaght will compliment existing cultural facilities such as the Civic Theatre and the County Library in what is emerging as a cultural quarter in the centre of Tallaght. The County Library has recently undergone significant expansion and refurbishment as part of the new Belgard Square development.

The new County Arts Centre will provide opportunities for organisations of diverse artistic disciplines, to support access to arts activities in participation based programmes as outlined in South Dublin County Council’s Arts Development Strategy.

Construction of the new County Arts Centre commenced on Monday 19^th February 2007 and has now been completed.

SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY ARTS CENTRE: PROFILE

South Dublin County Council in the development of this arts infrastructure project has set aside the traditional style arts centre based on one building and one organisation undertaking the programming. The Council has developed a model that encourages a strategic approach to the development of the arts across the county taking into account: 

• The geography and demographics of South Dublin County.
• The presence of existing arts organisations.
• The relationship between the local authority and the arts centre

It is proposed that an arts centre company be established to manage a flagship development in Tallaght and also, in the long-term, to manage a network of facilities across the county.  The programming of activities in the arts centre facilities will be undertaken by a range of existing arts organisations including Tallaght Community Arts Centre, and new service providers.

This structure allows for flexibility in programming activities and scope to offer tenders for the use of space - taking into account offers made to Tallaght Community Arts Centre at the initial stage of this development.  It allows for contracting out services such as artist studios management, application procedures and liaison with artists.

The new flagship building in Tallaght is designed to reflect current approaches to the making and delivery of arts.  Alongside two high quality exhibition spaces (including a ‘white cube’) and a 60 seat performance space, the emphasis is on ‘process’ and ‘participation’.  The definition of space reflects the primary aim of the arts centre, to support the artist and participant in the conception and making of art. 

The arts centre development in Tallaght,alongside the major extension of the County Library  adjacent to the Civic Theatre, offers opportunity for the creation of a synergetic cultural nucleus in Tallaght, which should have a countywide impact.

THE VISION FOR THE ARTS CENTRE

The remit of the arts centre is to support contemporary art practise by providing spaces and opportunities for:

        Artists to make, perform or exhibit art.

• Arts organisations and individuals to deliver arts programmes and events.
• Individuals and communities to engage with the arts.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission for the arts centre is to develop the arts in South Dublin County countywide, through the support of professional and participatory arts activities and through the provision of infrastructure dedicated to the arts. 

OBJECTIVES

• Support and develop the arts countywide.
• Encourage all art forms.
• Support professional productions and exhibitions of art by local, national and international artists.
• Provide opportunities for communities to participate in arts activities.
• Encourage professional arts organisations and artists to work and live in South Dublin County. 
• Provide spaces for productions, exhibitions and process-based activities.
• Provide workspace for arts organisations and artists.

DESIRED OUTCOMES

• Countywide arts activity.

• Supporting best practice and excellence in the arts.
• Diversity of programming.
• High footfall.
•  

FACILITIES

                                                                                                Ground Floor

Gallery 1

Gallery 2

Art Store

Café / Servery

Reception

Toilets

Performance Space

Changing Rooms with Showers

Art Workshop Room

Outdoor sculpture yard

                                                                                                Floor 1

Office facilities

Staff Facilities

5 Music Rooms

Dance Rehearsal Studio

                                                                                                Floor 2

Office Facilities

3 Incubator Units

2 Large Multimedia Rooms

                                                                                                Top Floor

Offices

6 Artist studio spaces

The construction of the new County Arts Centre is now complete and fit out is now underway with a view to opening in November 2008 to the public. The keys of the new facility were handed over to the council on 30^th September 2008.

The Council has appointed Ms Karen Philips as County Arts Centre Director and she took up duty in August 2008 and has on behalf of the new Company, formed to operate the centre, advertised for further necessary positions such as General Manager, Development Officer, Technician and Administrative Assistants. A provision will be made in the 2009 Budget to assist the County Arts Centre in its first year of operation and talks are continuing with the Arts Council regarding the sourcing of operational and programming funding for the facility.

It is proposed also to have an official opening in February 2009.