The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, announced an additional €2m in funding for the Irish Arts Center in New York, as part of the Government’s flagship Global Ireland Strategy.
The Government is continuing to invest in the Irish Arts Center in the context of the Global Ireland strategy, which places culture and creativity at the centre of Ireland’s global reputation.
Commenting on the announcement, the Taoiseach said, “the promotion of our unique culture is a central element of the Global Ireland strategy, and the announcement today of the new investment in the Irish Arts Center in New York City underscores the Government’s commitment to delivering on the ambition of the Global Ireland strategy. And I thank my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for providing the funding for this investment to further the incredible work Culture Ireland does to promote Irish artists around the globe.”
The funding announced will go towards the phase 2 development which involves the renovation of the original Irish Arts Center building on 51st Street.
Phase One of redevelopment of Irish Arts Center, which delivered a flagship 21st century venue and gateway for Irish artists in New York and U.S. audiences, is now complete.
To date, capital funding of €8.85m from the Government for Phase One was awarded on a shared basis between Department of Foreign Affairs (€4.95m) and the Department of Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht Sport and Media (€3.9m) towards the total cost of €60m of phase one of the project.