Press Releases
Minister announces new scheme of Capital Grants for Arts and Culture Infrastructure
PRESS RELEASE
24th July, 2006
MINISTER ANNOUNCES NEW SCHEME OF CAPITAL GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE
John O'Donoghue, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, has announced a new scheme to support investment in arts and culture infrastructure. This new scheme to be called ACCESS 11 (Arts and Culture Enhancement Support Scheme 11) will run from 2007 to 2009 and is intended to provide a further impetus to the development of arts and culture facilities thereby enhancing the quality of life for our citizens. While the intention is to prioritise the enhancement and maintenance of existing facilities, there will also be provision under the terms of the scheme to support ne)' build projects.
This is a successor to the highly successful ACCESS scheme, introduced in August 2001, which allocated €45.71 m to the promoters of 44 projects. The objective of the scheme was the provision of high standard arts and culture infrastructure, under three broad headings as follows:
new facilities
redevelopment of existing arts and culture facilities, and smaller community-based projects.
Projects supported included the provision of new museums, new integrated art centres and the refurbishment of existing performance spaces. It has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention in the provision of quality cultural space throughout the regions. .
Under the scheme now being launched by the Minister 70% of the funds will be directed towards the enhancement and/or refurbishment of existing facilities, with 30% available for new facilities.
Minister O'Donoghue said"Thisnew scheme will allow existing venues around the country to carry out enhancements or refurbishments to maximise what they can offer to the public. In addition, the scheme will facilitate the provision of new facilities where gaps in existing provision can be clearly identified."
The scheme will be advertised in national and local media this week and applicationswill be accepted from 9th October 2006 until 17th November 2006. Applications/'received outside these dates will not be considered.
Selection of projects will be undertaken in close collaboration with the Arts Council. An independent Committee will assess project proposals received, and will make recommendations to the Minister.
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