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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Oct 1999

Vol. 508 No. 5

Written Answers. - Millennium Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

38 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the way in which she intends to assist in the promotion of Irish art and culture for the millennium; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19179/99]

As I indicated in a reply to a previous question on this matter in February last, the Taoiseach has already established a national millennium committee under the chairmanship of the Minister of State, Deputy Brennan, and this committee's function is to advise the Government on appropriate projects and initiatives to celebrate the millennium.

For my own part I have provided financial support to a project, led by Poetry Ireland, for the publication of an anthology of Irish poetry from the 20th century. I believe that it is an appropriate cultural project to celebrate the literary achievements of the 20th century and will highlight the viality and the continued relevance of Irish poetry as we approach the beginning of a new millennium. I have also launched the "Ceoil Reoite: Frozen Music" millennium project which involves the commissioning of a number of distinguished Irish musicians to compose a signature tune for a selected list of national monuments and historic properties. This has been a very successful initiative with ten commissions completed to date.

Background work has now been done in the reports of the interdepartmental working group and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on the proposed academy for the performing arts. Following on from this, I and my colleague the Minister for Education and Science will bring forward definitive proposals for the establishment of an Irish Academy for the Performing Arts in the millennium year. The creation of this new institution will have the most profound and beneficial effects on the teaching and performance of the performing arts across manny strata of society here.

I am advised that a number of programmes to mark the millennium are being independently planned by the various cultural institutions which come within the remit of my Department. The National Museum is planning to hold a special exhibition at one of its venues in the year 2000 to celebrate the millennium. The details of this exhibition are still being planned. The National Library plans to mount an exhibition in Dublin, beginning at the end of this year, on the subject of "The Turn of the Century and the New Millennium". The National Archives is planning the publication of a CD-ROM and an exhibition based on 1,000 of the most important and visually attractive documents in its collections.

A significant development will be the transfer of the magnificent Chester Beatty Library and Museum of Oriental Art from its present location in Shrewsbury Road to its newly refurbished city centre premises at Dublin Castle. This will enable many items previously unseen to be displayed in an appropriate setting and to be enjoyed by a much wider audience than heretofore. The library is planning in its new home a special exhibition of its most important cultural material which represents many cultures and societies, including very early manuscripts. In addition, the library is in negotiation with museums in preparation for a special millennium exhibition on the origins of the Gospel and other special events to mark this important year.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art has just opened an exhibition in Boston of artworks by 13 Irish artists – Irish Art Now, covering art of the 1990s. This exhibition is planned to tour several other galleries in the US and Canada throughout the year 2000 – promoting new perceptions of Irish art and artists. A major exhibition – Fifty Years of Irish Art – is planned to open in the autumn of 2000, selected by five commentators on art, covering the second half of the 20th century in Irish art decade by decade. The exhibition will put contemporary practice of the 1990s in the context of works of art since the 1950s. Full programmes of seminars, discussions, publications, promotional and marketing campaigns will accompany all the exhibitions and projects and will be distributed nationally and internationally. A new series of displays from the collection is also planned to be shown from spring 2000 onwards and the majority of artworks will be from Irish artists.
The National Concert Hall – NCH – is planning to mark the millennium with a major programme of events featuring outstanding international artists and visiting orchestras throughout the year 2000 season. The NCH will continue its highly successful education and outreach programmes, including the series of "In Tune" residencies in schools throughout the country which collaborates closely with Irish composers and musicians. A new initiative is being planned to hold a festival of contemporary music which will celebrate the work of Irish composers and a number of new works will be specially commissioned for this festival.
The National Gallery proposes to mount an exhibition to commemorate George Bernard Shaw to mark his contribution to the work of the National Gallery.
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