The National Museum of Ireland - Country Life has been announced as one of the partners involved in In the Open / Faoin Spéir - a new arts initiative in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Castlebar project is one of 16 initiatives nationwide to be funded by the Arts Council under the new programme. It will see a series of arts events/interventions taking place along the Castlebar to Turlough Greenway and in the grounds of the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life at Turlough Park.
The project is organised by Mayo County Council in partnership with the NMI - Country Life, Mayo Artsquad and the Linenhall Arts Centre.
In the Open / Faoin Spéir is an Arts Council funded programme developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis. It will see a variety of outdoor arts events taking place in public spaces around Ireland.
Broadly focused on the concept of FOLKLIFE, the Castlebar project will provide a platform for artwork that explores materialism in society, changing values systems, the telling of future stories through national collections and the role of the artist in this process.
Welcoming the funding announcement, Dr Audrey Whitty, Head of Collections & Learning, National Museum of Ireland, said:
The National Museum of Ireland is delighted to be collaborating with Mayo County Council Arts Office, Mayo Artsquad and the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, on this project. In the Open / Faoin Spéir is a really worthwhile initiative as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is exciting to fully re-engage with the arts after such a difficult period and see new arts programmes and artworks in outdoor community spaces. We look forward to being a part of this project and delivering an innovative new programme for the enjoyment of the public.”
Cllr Michael Smyth, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council also warmly welcomed the announcement:
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted everyday life and cultural expressions locally, nationally and across the world and this project aims to provide the people of Castlebar and Turlough with the opportunity to experience great art on their doorstep."
Bernadette Greenan, Director, Linenhall Arts Centre enthusiastically greeted the announcement:
The Linenhall is pleased to partner on this project with Mayo County Council Arts Service, National Museum of Ireland - Country Life and Mayo Artsquad which will be of great benefit to artists and audiences in Mayo. Art is an opportune way to help us understand and interpret our experiences over the past two years and can encourage us to look to the future as a time of hope and opportunity. This project will allow us to explore these themes further and bring added value to the locality."
The project will run from July 2021 until April 2022, although work on-site will not commence until early 2022.
For future updates and information on In the Open / Faoin Spéir - Castlebar, visit www.mayo.ie/arts.