Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014
425. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the process that is applied for selecting the national city of culture; if the same criteria will be applied for the next city of culture application process; when the 2015 city of culture will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1164/14]
View answer427. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the public consultation that took place which resulted in the decision of having a city of culture project; the persons involved in this debate; when the consultation occurred; the way the decision was arrived at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1251/14]
View answer428. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will explain the criteria chosen to pick Limerick as the city of culture which ensured that €6 million of taxpayers' money was spent in Limerick; the other cities considered; the way the decision was reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1285/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 425, 427 and 428 together.
Following my appointment as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I attended and officiated at many arts and culture events in Limerick. I have a strong belief that Limerick has a vibrant and diverse arts scene, and the idea of a city of culture was discussed with individuals and groups.
I received a written presentation from the Limerick Reorganisation Implementation Group, in May 2012, setting out how a City of Culture for 2014 could work and encouraging this designation. The matter was discussed at Government and the National City of Culture initiative was agreed. In recognition of the work undertaken by Limerick, it was awarded the inaugural designation. The City of Culture year will build on other Government investments in Limerick, including the Regeneration Project, as well as capital funding to improve arts and culture infrastructure in the City.
Limerick City is undergoing a process of profound change at present. This year will see a new single local authority come into being and it is an important one for the city and county. The designation of Limerick as the inaugural City of Culture will help shape, brand and promote a new Limerick City and showcase the very best of Limerick arts on the national and international stage.
Although it was originally hoped to have a National City of Culture every two years, it is not now envisaged that the Department would be in a position to make a similar commitment again as soon as 2016. It is the intention that the next City of Culture will held by a city in 2018. It is envisaged that a call for proposals and a selection process will take place to select the next National City of Culture.
Selection criteria for future holders of the title of City of Culture will include:
- the emphasis on the arts and culture in the location and the events planned for the year;
- community involvement in the planning of the events of the designation year will also be of great importance, with a preference for a "bottom-up" approach which seeks to unite cultural and socio-economic stakeholders in a common project. The City of Culture should be seen as a focus to bring communities together to work towards a shared vision;
- a programme to increase participation in the arts by local residents will be an important element;
- the involvement of local schools in the arts and in year of culture will be given particular weighting;
- the capacity to foster creativity;
- the city's ability to maximise its existing infrastructure and facilities to the benefit of the arts; and
- the lasting and positive impact on the location long into the future.
