Arts and culture to spur city’s growth

Arts and cultural infrastructure will be central to the regeneration of the Headford Road, Ceannt Station and the Inner Harbour area.

The new draft Galway City Development Plan will set out the blueprint for local government policy for the next six years when it is adopted by the end of 2016.

In the section on community and culture, Galway City Council’s key focus will be to develop a new public library in conjunction with Galway County Council, the building of a conference and concert hall, a municipal arts gallery, science gallery and a school of performing arts in the city.

Also in its sights is the establishment of a school of music, additional cultural facilities at Lower Merchants Road and the refurbishment and reuse of Comerford House.

The plan states that it will support the building of a western writers’ centre and a dedicated dance space within the city.

Its overall aim in the sector is “to promote an inclusive, creative and bilingual city which is accessible to all members of the community and facilitate the sustainable development of community and cultural infrastructure”.

The Council will promote Galway as a city for culture and arts excellence and support the Galway City and County Councils’ Cultural Strategy 2016-2025 and the bid for European City of Culture 2020, it states.

“The promotion of high quality urban design and improvement to the public realm can increase opportunities for cultural events and destinations. The Council can facilitate and co-ordinate the development of cultural and arts facilities within appropriate locations to improve the level of service and quality of life for the community,” according to the plan .

“The built environment, parks and public realm of the city lend themselves to outdoor events, festivals and public engagement. In order, to expand arts and culture experience of the city, arts and cultural infrastructure is required to be integrated into regeneration sites within the city; Headford Road, Ceannt Station and the Inner Harbour area.”

The draft plan will go out to public consultation before it is adopted by councillors by the end of 2016.