Wexford Art Centre Welcomes Capital Funding

Wexford Arts Centre were delighted to hear that their joint application with Wexford County Council to Department of Arts, Heritage, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Arts & Culture Capital Scheme, 2016 was successful. 

The allocation of €1 million funds with match support from Wexford County Council capital plans will go towards Wexford Arts Centre realising the completion of its Arts for All plan initiated with ACCESS funding programme in 2007-2009. The initial funding supported the much needed renovation of Wexford Arts Centre and development of D’Lush Café and its annexe on John Gate Street.

 Phase III which has been on hold due to lack of available capital funding since 2009 included the extension to Wexford Arts Centre to contribute to financial viability and sustainability for Wexford Arts Centre into the future. 

The capital plans will provide enhanced access for all to the centre and its galleries and theatre and allow activities within the building to be seen from outside and provide an inviting and accessible to all entrance, reception and internal lift to provide disabled access to all to main parts of the centre and attract an increase in visitor numbers. 

Additional programme space for exhibitions and workshops are also included in the plans through provision of a mezzanine area and moving of café space from existing building to the new extension and allowance made for renovations in existing building.  Access to the medieval town wall behind the centre is also included in the plans.  

‘The investment towards completing these vital capital plans for Wexford Arts Centre will attract further engagement with our existing vibrant arts programme and provide opportunity to further support artists and access to the arts in Wexford County.  Elizabeth Whyte, Executive Director Wexford Arts Centre advised. ‘This is also a significant investment into Cultural tourism offer in Wexford and will strengthen our Cultural spine from National Opera House, Wexford Library, and Wexford Arts Centre to Selskar Abbey. 

We are very thankful to Minister Humphreys and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for this recognition of Wexford Arts Centre as a leading arts organisation in region in need of capital investment. 

We also thank Minister Paul Kehoe for his support and also our joint partners on the application Wexford County Council and in particular Chief Executive Tom Enright, John Carley, Director of Services and Oliver Tierney Head of Special projects. 

We also thank our friends and sponsors and the Wexford community for its continued support with our plans.  We look forward to progressing future developments of these plans.’ For more information on Wexford Arts Centre visit www.wexfordartscentre.ie

Thanks also to Michael Mahon and Martin Sinnott of MGM Quantity Surveyors Wexford and to Robin beer and Joe Brennan of Beer and Associates for design.