Máiréad Ní Chróinín's presentation on Arts & Culture at the Galway 2040 Symposium - http://www.galway2040.ie (Disclaimer presentation is the view of the individual and does not necessarily represent their respective organisation).

2. Arts and Culture Pillar
Paraic Breathnach, Chair
Máiréad Ní Chróinín – theatre artist
Aideen Barry – visual artist
Ollie Jennings – music promoter
Fidelma Murrane – Solas Cinema

3. Where are we now? - Galway's
qualities
Multicultural influences
Strengths in theatre, traditional music, Irish,
spectacle
Tradition of the arts in temporary performance
spaces (tent / retail spaces)
Strong festival orientation
International reputation
Average annual wage of an artist = €14,000
Currently 9,000 employed in creative sector

4. Where are we going? Trends in the
arts in Galway
Migration of older artists out of Galway City to the
County
Migration of technical expertise to Dublin and abroad
Short cycles of creativity – artists are burnt out in their
30s and leave the profession
Growing body of young artists graduating from NUIG
and GMIT
High potential of creative sector – WDC Report
No sustained development in the arts, due to lack of
financial, infrastructure and policy supports
Low level of public exposure and critical awareness

5. A Vision for Culture and the Arts in
2040 - Place
Culture and the arts should affect-
What the city looks and feels like
What the city thinks about itself
What outsiders think of the city
How the city functions
What the city creates

6. A Vision for Culture and the Arts in
2040 - Inspiration
Creativity requires a mental state that welcomes ambiguity,
doubt, confusion, irrationality, anxiety, error, failure, risk,
change. A mental state that sees all these as positive
qualities. - Tim Emlyn Jones
We like to use the word 'question', 'object', 'contradict',
'challenge', 'contest', 'disapprove' and the like. This
contradictory spirit, often considered a fault on an
individual level, becomes a virtue when expressed
collectively. - John-Marie Dru

7. A Vision for Culture and the Arts in
2040 - Inspiration
A certain amount of chaos or spontaneity in the city is the
core ingredient for the city to fulfill its basic mission. The
spontaneous exchanges in the city are the core of the
creativity of the city, the social justice of the city, and the
democratic life of the city. - David Engwright
I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. -
Albert Einstein

8. A Vision for Culture and the Arts
1. Role of Culture and the Arts
In 2040, culture and the arts will be an integrated
part of the social, political and economic fabric
of Galway City. Culture and the arts will be a
creative force that sustains entrepreneurship, a
source of imagination and inquiry in education
and research, and a catalyst for civic
engagement and social inclusion.

9. A Vision for Culture and the Arts
2. Support for Culture and the Arts
Galway City will be defined by its passion for
culture and the arts, and artists will have the
infrastructural, educational and financial
supports to make, show and tour work that
sets international standards. The city will
sustain a vibrant community of Irish and
international artists, between students,
emerging artists and established artists.

10. A Vision for Culture and the Arts
3. Affect of Culture and the Arts
Art and culture will permeate the everyday life of
Galway City, disrupting the norm and creating a
contradictory public spirit that welcomes ambiguity,
irrationality, failure, risk and change. Arts and culture
will give people experiences that are live,
unpredictable, spontaneous, inspirational,
challenging, passionate. Culture and the arts will be a
topic of debate and discussion in pubs, cafes and on
the street.

11. A Vision for Culture and the Arts
Assumptions:
Education
Infrastructure
Enterprise and Innovation
Public access
Finance
Governance
Quality of life

12. A Vision for Culture and the Arts
How do we get there?
Now:
Infrastructure!!!
Enterprise and Innovation
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