Following a Government decision in December 2014, it was agreed that Ireland would submit a nomination for the European Capital of Culture 2020. On 15th July 2016 Galway was selected as the successful city by an independent expert European panel.
As part of that Government decision of December 2014, it was noted that indicative Government support of the order of €15m, subject to such funding not exceeding 50% of the overall financial cost of the event, would be provided to fund the year-long activities.
The impetus of the European Capital of Culture event should in the main come from city itself and, in the bidding process, the candidate cities were required by the European Union to demonstrate the capacity to put together a strong funding package, at local level. Indeed, the final report by the expert panellists (published on the website of my Department) applauded the proposed local funding proposals.
It is expected that a substantial percentage of funding required will need to be made available the year in advance of the designation (2019) and that the funding would be directed primarily at programming to ensure the success of the year.
Now that the Galway has been selected as European City of Culture 2020, my Department will engage with the City of Culture team to consider how best the project can be supported in the run up to 2020.
In the meantime, my Department’s Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016, which is focussed on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres throughout the country, is open for applications until 16th September.
