Decisions are eagerly awaited these days: on the future role of the Arts Council; on the redevelopment and location of the National Theatre; on the announcement of the Gate Theatre's funding allocation for this year; on the new director of the Peacock . . . but for many arts organisations next month's decisions on the allocation of the Department of Arts and Heritage's £36 million ACCESS funds (the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme) are crucial. Among the 180 organisations that have applied for funding through this scheme is Dublin's Gaiety Theatre, which is planning an ambitious redevelopment plan.
The proposed project involves the demolition and re-construction of the stage and backstage area, to transform the 1,000-seat theatre into a venue that could stage major international theatre, opera, dance, pantomime and musical productions in the future. The proposals, with estimated costs of almost £4 million, have received the support of David Callopy, executive director of Opera Ireland, whose home is the Gaiety; Fergus Linehan, director of the Dublin Theatre Festival, Tony O Dalaigh, theatre consultant and former DTF director, and Jack Gilligan of Dublin Corporation. The Gaiety currently receives no state subsidy. Its director, John Costigan, is seeking £3 million through the ACCESS scheme, with a further £1 million to be invested by the owners of the theatre, Denis Desmond and Caroline Downey (Gaiety Investments Limited).
The Gaiety's redevelopment scheme would, of course, affect decisions about the proposed performing arts facility/ opera house in the docklands, the existence of which depends, in turn, on the decision about the Abbey's future location. The Gaiety's application, along with all the others, is currently under consideration by the ACCESS funding committee, which will make its recommendations to the Minister, Sile de Valera, in the next few weeks. The final decision rests with her. Phelim Donlon, director of the Auditoria project, who is a member of the funding committee, says that the deliberations will now probably extend to the end of April. "These decisions are complex and important and need time," he says.
New award for artists
AIB has announced the four artists shortlisted for the inaugural AIB Prize, writes Aidan Dunne. The award, launched last December, is designed to assist artists in launching their careers. An innovation of this prize is that an artist could be nominated by any publicly funded arts institution in relation to a specific project, such as a proposed exhibition. The shortlist comprises Gerard Byrne, film and photographic artist nominated by the Limerick City Gallery of Art; photographic artist Mark Curran, nominated by the Gallery of Photography; painter and installation artist Eoin Llewellyn, nominated by Kilkenny's Butler Gallery, and Caroline McCarthy, installation and video artist, nominated by Dublin's Temple Bar Gallery.
The award, the winner of which will be announced in June, is worth £15,000, plus funding for an exhibition and catalogue, as well as the offer of a residency at the Ballinglen Arts Foundation in Co Mayo.
Theatre from A-Z
The bible for theatre practitioners, The Irish Theatre Handbook, has just appeared in a second, much-expanded edition. Edited by playwright and Rough Magic company manager Loughlin Deegan, for Theatre Shop, the handbook is a comprehensive guide to all aspects of theatre and dance in Ireland, North and South. This edition reflects the recent explosion of performing arts venues, which has created a demand for new productions and has contributed to the growth of fringe theatre. In response to the demand for "product", small companies have mushroomed, most of them partially subsidised or non-subsidised: there are now 93 of these in total, and 58 subsidised companies. All are listed in the handbook, available in bookshops at £15.
Under Ben Bulben
The second ESB Vogler Spring Festival takes place in the heart of Yeats country at St Columba's Church, Drumcliffe, Co Sligo, writes Michael Dervan, and runs to seven concerts between the evening of Friday, May 4th and 4 p.m. on the afternoon of Monday, May 7th. The international line-up of performers includes the rapidly rising Irish soprano, Orla Boylan, pianists Finghin Collins and Alfredo Perl. The Vogler Quartet - the festival's founders and Sligo's quartet in residence - play Verdi, Shostakovich, Beethoven, Szymanowski, Schoenberg and Gerald Barry. The three evening concerts are scheduled for 8 p.m., with daytime events spread over a number of slots (noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.). Booking and further details through Artscope at 079-64202, or by email from artscope@eircom.net.
Artists against racism
Rhythms 'n' Mix is the title of tonight's gig in Vicar Street, Dublin, organised by Comhlamh's Le Cheile Project, which celebrates racial and cultural diversity in Ireland. Members of Kila, Different Drums, Yemanja, De Jimbe join Latin Colour, The Happy Boys and Azec on stage, with guest MCs. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. Tickets £12 from Ticketmaster: 016097788 and at Vicar Street box office.
