COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 12, 2011

HEADED ITEM NO.4f(i)

STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES

f)  ARTS, CULTURE, GAEILGE, EDUCATION & LIBRARIES SPC

(i)  Report of Meeting 28th November 2011

Report from November 2011 Arts Culture Gaeilge Education & Libraries SPC held on 28th November 2011

 

At the commencement of the meeting Chair Councillor Paddy Cosgrave welcomed new sectoral member Ms Dympna Quinn whose nomination by South Dublin Community Forum to replace Ms Meg Murphy was recently approved by Council,

Filling of SDACC Board vacancy for non-elected ACGE&L SPC member

There meeting noted that there are three appointees from the Arts, Culure, Gaeilge, Education and Libraries Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) to Rua Red: South Dublin Arts Centre Company as follows:

  1. Chairperson of the SPC  - Cllr Paddy Cosgrave
  2. Elected member of the SPC - Cllr Mick Duff
  3. Non elected member of the SPC - VACANT since recent resignation of Ms Meg Murphy

The meeting approved the nomination of Ms Dympna Quinn as its non elected member as a replacement for Ms Murphy to the Rua Red: South Dublin Arts Centre Company

South Dublin Arts Centre Programme 2012

Chair Councillor Paddy Cosgrave welcomed Ms Carolyn Jones, Development Officer to the meeting.

Ms Jones gave a brief outline of the successes of 2011 with particular reference to

·        Increased Footfall(+130%) on 2010

·        Website visitors (+35%) on 2010

·        Details on full time home tenants

·        Outline of routine activity – music, dance, drama and art

·        Outline of partnerships

·        Feedback of visitors

·        2012 Policy Developments and key milestones

Members congratulated the management and staff on the work to date and highlighted the benefit of the facility which was referred to as a state of the art centre for the county as a whole.  Reference was also made to the significance of the café in attracting footfall.

The possibility of maximizing the use of available window space was also discussed.

Christmas 2011 – Cultural Events

Details of the Library Service programme were circulated and Ms Orla Scannell, Arts Officer outlined the background to the 2011 UNWRAPPED programme.    Ms Scannell referred to the creative partnership between South Dublin County Council Arts Office and Corporate Services Department; South Dublin Libraries; Tallaght Community Arts; Alternative Entertainment; Contact Studio; Civic Theatre, Tallaght; RUA RED, South Dublin Arts Centre and South Dublin Music Education Partnership in the delivery of the UNWRAPPED programme

The theme for 2011 is A short DVD of the 2010 programme was relayed which highlighted the diversity of the 2010 programme and it is anticipated that this will be replicated this year. Chair Councillor Paddy Cosgrave welcomed Ms Carolyn Jones, Development Officer to the meeting.

Metamorphosis-
revelations
Celebration Gathering
Dark/light contrast
Inside/
outside weather
Fire, old traditions Local stories
Lighting of Tree Festival of Lights
Changes/
Season Environment
Unwrapped
Ms Scannell referred to the meaning of UNWRAPPED and ighlighted the 2011 Theme the legend of the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King. 

A discussion ensued in relation to the significance of the 2011 programme and whether the cumulative events reflected / omitted religious content.

AOB

Marker Tree

Councillor O’Connell raised the issue of the recent publicity surrounding the expenditure of public funds on the “Marker Tree”, a piece of art which was formally secured under the 1% for Art Scheme.

Ms Scannell outlined details of the scheme – In context 111and provided relevant data on the piece in question.

Members present expressed appreciation for the communication received in this regard which enabled them to make informative decision and response to issues raised.

It was noted that the scheme will be officially launched on 8th December 2012.

SPC Meeting times

Ms Walsh referred to a suggestion which had been made at the OP&F meeting in relation to a possible swap / change of SPC meeting time with the Housing & Social Development SPC.    It was discussed and agreed to reschedule to 2nd Tuesday of each month, same week (day after) Council meeting in consultation with that SPC  

If there is agreement the meetings for 2012 will be as follows: 

Feb  2012 May 2012 Sept 2012 Dec  2012
14th 8th 11th 13th