City arts groups seek answers on Galway 2020 plans

Galway City Tribune – The arts community has united to seek clarity on a number of unresolved practical issues to do with Galway 2020, which has been bogged down in controversy.

Fourteen local organisations, who are producing projects in the ‘Bid Book’ for European Capital of Culture, have sought a meeting with Galway 2020 to get answers to a number of questions.

In a letter to CEO of Galway 2020, Hannah Kiely, its chairperson, Aideen McGinley, and all board members, Galway’s arts community said it “remains fully committed to the cause of Galway 2020”.

However, the organisations – including Druid Theatre Company, Galway Film Fleadh and Galway Theatre Festival – want clarification on around 10, “practical and mutually important issues”.

Ms Kiely has responded to the groups, welcoming their support and agreeing to meet to discuss the issues further at the end of August. Both letters have been seen by the Galway City Tribune.

Arts organisations have sought clarification on timelines for solving contracts; cashflow and implications for funding commitments; VAT; sponsorship and fundraising support; and co-ordination of venues and human resources.

The organisations which signed the letter include: Blue Teapot Company, Branar, Baboró, Druid Theatre Company, Fíbín, Galway Community Circus, Galway Dance Project, Galway Film Fleadh, Galway Theatre Festival, Hope It Rains/Báisteach go Deo!, Hy Brasil, Macnas, Monument and Music for Galway.

In her response, Ms Kiely welcomed their feedback and she thanked them for their “continued support and engagement” with Galway 2020.
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