Vol. 506 No. 1
19 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will make a statement on the Irish Museum of Modern Art; the financing and facilities in this regard; the range of acquisitions and items on display; and the proposals, if any, she has for its future development. [14699/99]
The Irish Museum of Modern Art which is located in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, opened to the public in 1991. Its remit is to provide the Irish public with access to the best Irish and international visual art through exhibition, collection and education programmes. The aim is to foster within society an awareness, understanding and participation in the visual arts through structures and programmes which are both innovative and inclusive. The museum employs some 70 people.
The museum's estimated expenditure in 1999 will be £2.05 million. This compares with expenditure in past years of 1996 – £1.686 million, 1997 – £1.879 million and 1998 – £2.015 million. Grant aid payable from my Department's Vote for 1999 totals £1.754 million, – £1.550 million revenue and £204,000 capital-acquisitions for the collection. This compares with grant aid in past years of 1996 – £1.460 million, 1997 – £1.585 million and 1998 – £1.725 million. Almost £300,000 will be raised through events-conferences-donations and sponsorship the surplus from which goes towards programming and some staff costs.
The attendance figure for 1998 was 350,000 and continues to rise, compared to 100,000 in 1991 when the museum opened.
The museum provides a wide variety of collection, exhibition and education programmes which are supported by cost effective administration, communication, security, operations and financial management. The exhibitions are mediated by an award-winning education and community programme which includes talks, lectures, workshops, seminars and participatory programmes. The education and community programme also includes a series of projects specifically designed for those who are marginalised in society.
Since its establishment the museum has acquired by purchase some 304 works and has secured long-term loans and donations of another 1,580 works from collections in Ireland and abroad. There are constant displays from the collection in half of the available gallery spaces in the museum. The museum also cares for the Madden-Arnholz Collection of masterprints and spaces will be prepared for their continuous display over the next year. Works from the collection are regularly dispersed to art centres, galleries, museums, heritage centres and libraries throughout the country in collaboration with a variety of organisations. Education and access programmes also accompany these exhibitions and projects.
Future plans include the development of the whole site in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works and my Department. The artists' studio programme has already been established in the renovated coach houses.
