Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

A key objective of the overall European Capital of Culture is the development of a legacy framework to sustain and build on the capacity, networks and opportunities arising from the Galway 2020 cultural programme. To develop the legacy framework, an extensive consultation process was undertaken by Galway 2020, which included stakeholders such as local artists, cultural organisations, community organisations and local State and business entities.

The independent evaluation of Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture was conducted by the monitoring and evaluation organisation, The Audience Agency, which assessed the outcomes and impacts of the delivery of Galway 2020 from its designation in 2016 to the end of its delivery period in April 2021. The key recommendations from this independent evaluation were also taken into account, along with consultation with local stakeholders, when developing the legacy framework.

My officials engaged with Galway 2020 and Galway City Council and Galway County Council on the development of legacy programme aims and actions. As the Deputy is aware, in December 2022 I approved the allocation of the remaining €1 million from my Department’s overall commitment of €15 million to Galway European Capital of Culture to support the delivery of the programme under the proposed legacy framework.

I am informed that the website of the Galway Culture Company is currently undergoing an update and it is my understanding that the legacy framework will be published on the website in the coming weeks. As soon as I have confirmation of the exact date, I will inform the Deputy.

The key high level programme aims and actions under the legacy framework are outlined on the website of the Galway Culture Company. The €1 million funding from my Department will be broken down to support the delivery of these programme aims as follows: €300,000 to facilitate EU and international relationships and funding, €500,000 to develop and support place-based cultural programming and €200,000 to provide supports to the cultural and creative sectors.

Through the legacy framework, the artistic and cultural sector will have the opportunity to access the funding through a series of open calls, partnerships on funding applications to relevant EU programmes, opportunities for presentation in other European countries and targeted capacity-building supports. As opportunities arise they will be published on the website of Galway Culture Company. This will allow for the €1 million Department funding to be targeted in full to projects and initiatives to support the artistic and cultural sector in the Galway region.

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