Limerick 2020 Belonging
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
0 0.1
Section 0 - Introduction - General Considerations
Introduction - General Considerations Why does your city wish to take part in the competition for the title of European Capital of Culture?
Limerick is creating a place of belonging in Europe. We are ignited with the electrifying potential of this competition, to share our city with an invitation to all of Europe to celebrate our transformation. Limerick had been a non-place in Europe, in Ireland for a long time. The power of culture made us discover our city as a place on the European map in its own right: as a city of multiplicity – full of contradictions and multiple layers. A place transcending a reputation as Ireland’s “problem city” seeking not to be fixed in one locality or paradigm but open to the flow of wider influences. We are ready for a new Limerick. We realise that embracing multiplicity makes us fall in love with our City and creates a sense of Belonging. Limerick has set out on a journey of profound
offer them a place where the creatives are educated
disruptive change and has achieved much. We
and will be invited to stay via the Creative Fellowship
want this process to continue, to involve and affect
and where there is a great opportunity to experience
more people directly through culture, to create a
the vibrancy of a city ready to explode with a special
wider European point of view in how we rebuild
type of edgy and warm creative Limerick energy.
our city. We have something important to offer and The European Capital of Culture is a powerful tool
something important to do. This is why we want
to set an irreversible conversion in motion – in the
to become European Capital of Culture 2020.
minds of people and in the way we perceive Limerick as part of the greater European Cultural context.
We will achieve a re-imagining and transformation of City and County. We will investigate the pressing
But this is not only about us – it is about many other
issues Europe is facing in a novel and inclusive
people in Europe too. As a European Capital of
way. Limerick is confident that it has the courage,
Culture 2020 we can offer to them a new cultural city.
vision, stamina and support to deliver an exceptional
A Limerick with an enthusiastic population eager to
European Capital of Culture.
celebrate their city’s change, a programme that will include artists and participants from all over Europe
So when we’ve delivered our programme, and are
and beyond in projects that offer a great variety of
seen as the flourishing, welcoming and cultural
activities, genres, styles, high quality and fun. We
European City we know we can be, we’ll be able
offer to them an up-and-coming, cool urban space,
to quote the common saying “Dat’s Limerick City”
where the Cranberries decide to casually practice
with pride. “That is Limerick City”, is the expression
in an old Georgian Coach house, where the artist
for our simple declaration of inclusion, of accepting,
population per capita is higher than in Dublin, where
of belonging to all aspects of the City - the quirky
some people keep horses in their garden. We can
and the unique.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section 0 - Introduction - General Considerations
0.2
Does your city plan to involve its surrounding area? Explain this choice? Limerick’s plans for ECOC 2020 will include Limerick City and County, the Shannon Mid-West Region and the Province of Munster where it connects to our City.
Limerick The population of the city and county is 191,000, with just over 102,000 people living in the metropolitan area of the city.
Since the amalgamation of two local authorities into one in 2014, the merged councils that are now Limerick City and County Council is positioned to utilise the combined assets of the City and County to our advantage. The other regional authorities supporting our bid are Clare County Council, Shannon Airport Authority, Shannon Heritage, Shannon
Shannon Mid-West Region Close to the edge of Western Europe, Limerick City is situated in the Shannon Mid-West Region, which is named after Ireland’s longest river and has a population of just under 400,000 embracing County Clare and parts of North Kerry and Tipperary.
Foynes Port Company, University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology, Mary Immaculate College and Limerick Chamber of Commerce. Limerick is the third largest City in Ireland. The population of the city and county is 191,000, with just over 102,000 people living in the metropolitan area of the city. The combined Local Authority has been a significant step in creating a climate for change in Limerick. We also have some important Regional connections which add considerably to the opportunities and possibilities for our Programme, ensuring that Limerick can realise the potential we have recognised for the City to become a major national and international gateway. Close to the edge of Western Europe, Limerick City is situated in the Shannon Midwest Region, which is named after Ireland’s longest river and has a population of just under 400,000. This mighty river runs through the centre of the City, winds around its suburbs and its tributaries permeate much of the County too. Shannon Airport, the westernmost airport in Europe (with an iconic place in aviation history) is less than 30 minutes drive from Limerick and provides connections to Europe and to North America. Limerick is in most people’s view, the spiritual heart of the Province of Munster. Not least because Limerick, and the iconic Thomond Park Stadium, is also the main base of provincial team, Munster Rugby, a team which has a deep emotional and cultural resonance for Limerick.
Ennis Shannon Airport Foynes Port Limerick City Galway
Newcastle West
Dublin
County Clare County Limerick
Cork
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section 0 - Introduction - General Considerations
0.3
Explain briefly the overall cultural profile of your city. Limerick’s cultural profile has been hard won, it has a significant cultural infrastructure, however the perception is of a tough and edgy city. That’s what we’re known for in Ireland and it’s true. Limerick, hit hard by recession, gained a reputation as a tough city in the 1980s. At the turn of the millennium, it was in the headlines for a variety of issues from crime and anti-social behaviour to high rates of unemployment and suicide. What the facts and statistics don’t say is that Limerick is a surprisingly cultural place and it always has been. The word ‘culture’ was once intimidating to many people in our city. It seemed a lofty and distant concept, a ‘not for us’ type of thing. Art, music, theatre, dance…what use are these when faced with the everyday reality of unemployment, disadvantage, discrimination and fear? Yet to a large extent culture has become our lever for real perceptual change. It is now instilling the confidence to achieve our social, economic and cultural goals for 2020 and 2030 (Economic Plan). When Limerick became Ireland’s inaugural National City of Culture in 2014, there was not just a softening towards ‘culture’ but a real change in attitude. People realised that culture could be inclusive of them and their realities, it could take many forms and had the power of transformation. 2014 really was a landmark year for Limerick. A tipping point. We describe the impact in the separate Case Study below.
‘The Granny Effect’ Insights
Hosting the first National City of Culture as part of our preparations to bid for ECOC gave us a unique opportunity to understand in a small way the opportunity and challenges that lay ahead. Understanding the complexity of the needs of the public, private, cultural sectors and communities in developing a large-scale cultural project. The power of ground-up cultural activity, the ‘Made in Limerick’ strand delivered over 100 events with passion, creativity with community and voluntary participation. Harnessing a wide range of open air, industrial and adhoc spaces as temporary cultural venues.
Case Study
Experienced the largest cultural event ever staged in Limerick, Royal De Luxe’s ‘Granny’ brought 230,000 people to Limerick and ingrained in the city’s imagination, Limerick as a place of culture and celebration - everyone has their personal memory of the ‘Granny’ in the surreal car-less city.
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Connecting with the corporate sector and workforce to join with us on the project and connect with the City. Also achieved 15% of the total budget in private funding through this engagement. The scale of planning for future PR and marketing campaigns. The power of cultural celebration and the perceptual transformation that has been felt, across all sectors of society in Limerick and the Region.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section 0 - Introduction - General Considerations
Limerick is a City of cultural contrasts, where a punchy urban
fashion design programme at the Limerick School of Art and
art mural is cheek by jowl with the ancient 13th century fortress,
Design is ranked by a US survey as one of the top 50 fashion
King John’s Castle. Boisterous rugby fans have adopted a
schools in the world. Between them these education facilities
song derived from Bizet’s opera, Carmen, as a terrace anthem.
host 3,700 students studying creative disciplines. In fact, 50%
You can stroll on a modern river boardwalk or on a wild path
of Limerick’s population is under 30, with more than 20,000
through a Special Area of Conservation. The ultramodern
students attending those three Higher Educational Institutions
glass-fronted Riverpoint building—a monument to Celtic Tiger
in the City.
overlooks excellent examples of Georgian architecture, which forms part of the City centre in an elegant grid plan. Here,
As with other parts of Ireland, the ebb and flow of migration and
a hip hop festival is as likely to attract a wide audience as a
multiculturalism runs deep. Many Limerick citizens left during
celebration of traditional choral singing.
the Great Famine in the 19th century and more recently during the economic crisis. Now many are returning and in the process
Within the City and reaching into the wider region, there is a
we welcome new cultures, people and energies to Limerick.
range of first class facilities, innovative venues, fascinating
Strikingly, Limerick City Centre has a non-national population
heritage attractions, dedicated organisations some volunteer,
of 44% with most City natives choosing to live in the suburban
some with a National remit and an international reputation.
areas. The Limerick Polish community is estimated to be over
Despite modest means, there are around 40 festivals in Limerick
10,000 and represents 23% of the population of Newcastle
focusing on a multitude of subjects from film to literature, sports
West, one of our largest County towns.
to politics. We utilise unlikely spaces, whether a semi-derelict building or a city park or a restored Georgian house. Creating
Overall, 12% of Limerick’s population consider themselves to
surprise for audiences, in form and content, is a consistent
be “new Irish”, and representatives from over 20 nationalities
aim. Volunteers play a huge role in running both cultural events
run businesses here, including many from recently ratified EU
and spaces.
member states such as Poland and Latvia. From joining sports clubs and local groups like Limerick Tidy Towns to marching in
The many creatives in the city today take heart from those who
the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, new Irish communities have
have made their mark on Europe and the world. Actor, Richard
embraced their adopted home here.
Harris, grew up here—his rugby background setting the scene for his turn in This Sporting Life. Writer, Frank McCourt, wrote
All of these elements—the history, the architecture, the cultural
his searing memoir, Angela’s Ashes, about growing up on the
and educational providers, the festival tradition, the warm and
city lanes. There are many more like them, whose formative
open nature of the citizens and our growing sense of
years here gave them inspiration. We are equally proud of
Europeanism — are drawn together in this Application for
the achievements of our best-known natives and the unsung
Limerick 2020.
heroes who walk the streets today. We realise that, as a City, we are still a work in progress. Our The inclusive nature of sport plays a unique role in Limerick’s
recovery has been remarkable but incomplete. Our rebuilding
sense of cohesion. Sport is an equaliser; there is no room for
process is driven by a new confidence born of a renewed sense
social class or history on the pitch or arena. Citizens channel
of togetherness and strength. Our cultural system had the
their passion and focus into participation whether it is a
resilience to support us through our recovery phase and is now
professional rugby game in Thomond Park or a Special
fundamental to the future of Limerick. It, too, is a work in progress
Olympics club in a draughty village hall.
and the chart opposite shows how we envision the contribution key cultural amenities and organisations in Limerick can make to
A City of Learning, we have world-class creative education
our 2020 Programme.
facilities in the Limerick School of Art and Design, the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, SAUL School of
Our cultural sector already raised its game in 2014 but now there
Architecture, and Product Design at University of Limerick
is more at stake. We understand that although we have achieved
and Mary Immaculate College arts programmes. The famous
a great deal, there is a lot more to do. We are ready to meet that challenge.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section 0 - Introduction - General Considerations
Name
Description
Significance in ECOC 2020
King John’s Castle
Iconic 13th century castle
Venue - Limerick Sings, Sonic Union
The Hunt Museum
Collects, preserves & exhibits the Hunt Collection
Project partner, venue & resource European Investment Bank Collection
Limerick City Gallery of Art
Municipal Art Gallery
Project partner - Beuys Today Venue - EVA International 2020
University Concert Hall
1,000 seat concert hall
Venue - Sonic Union, Limerick Sings & Electric Eel
Limerick Museum
Municipal Museum
Project partner - The Museum of Mythological Water Beasts & European Collections - Alien Encounters
RTÉ Lyric FM
National radio station for Classical Music – based in Limerick
Project partner - Sonic Union
510 seat theatre with diverse year-round programme. Long-running arts centre 220 seat theatre, gallery space & rehearsal space
Venues & project partners The Wedding & Tiny Plays for Europe Partner - SPÁS Ludic Interfaces & Fabulous Tales from Far off Lands
Independent gallery - part of Creative Limerick scheme
Project partner & venue Grand Central Residencies
Dance Limerick Limerick Printmakers Artists Apartments
Project partner - SPÁS Ludic & Brave Sister Project partner & venue - The Travelling Alphabet & Grand Central Residencies
Cleeve’s Factory Site
8 acre, riverside site used in 2014 & 2016 for EVA Biennial
Venue - EVA International, Grand Central Residencies & Electric Eel
Troy Film Studios
New 32,000 m2 film/TV facility
Creative economy driver. Provision of incubation space. Major job creation
Limerick City Library
New City library serving 100,000 people
Venue - Opening Ceremony & Fabulous Tales from Far Off Lands
Irish Chamber Orchestra
World Class Orchestra based in Limerick
Project partner - Sing Out with Strings 2020 & Sonic Union
Irish Aerial Creation Centre
Aerial dance training organisation & home to Fidget Feet
Project partner - Lifting the Siege
Music Generation Creative Centre
City-wide organisation for engaging young people in making music
Project partner - Hip Hop Connection, Roots and Tendrils & Sing out with Strings
Thomond Park Gaelic Grounds Markets field
26,000 - Home to Munster Rugby 55,000 - GAA (Irish national sports) 5,000 - Home to Limerick Football
Venues - The Wedding, Bands Beyond Borders & Limerick Sings
Limerick School of Art and Design
Courses in fine art, fashion, visual communications & multimedia
Project partner - Digital Skills Academy & IFIL
Irish World Academy of Music & Dance
Renowned organisation at the cutting edge of practice & research
Project partner – Sonic Union, Atlantic Fringe Festival & Brave Sister Venue for Roots and Tendrils
University of Limerick
14,800 students, largest percentage of Erasmus students in Ireland
Multiple projects partner Lead on independent monitoring study Conference & Venue partner
Limerick Institute of Technology
6,500+ students in art & design science, technology & business
Project partner - Lifting the Siege
Mary Immaculate College
3,000+ students, on-site Lime Tree Theatre & offers a BA in Contemporary Arts & Theatre Studies
Project partner - Tell Me a Story
Sarsfield Barracks The Milk Market The People's Park
3,000 - Military Grounds 1,500 - Covered Market & Venue 8,500 - Natural Amphitheatre
Venues – Encounters, The Wedding & SPÁS Ludic Interfaces
The Lime Tree Theatre Belltable Arts Hub
Ormston House
John's Square Cultural Cluster
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
0.4
Section 0 - Introduction - General Considerations
Explain the Concept of the Programme which would be launched if the City is designated as European Capital of Culture
The concept which underpins Limerick’s programme for the European Capital of Culture 2020 is Belonging. Belonging developed from the realisation that Multiplicity (our first round concept) is a way to describe what we are, while Belonging describes where we want to be. The idea of multiplicity unlocked new ways of looking at our City and Europe today. With multiple realities overlapping, we must find commonalities and create new connections to allow us to move forward. Through embracing multiplicity, we as Europeans can create Belonging. Our concept may seem simple. Belonging. No
Belonging means taking responsibility and taking
secret in that. But taking a closer look, Belonging
action – because a sense of engagement leads to
has many layers and is a complex notion.
active participation, empowerment and partaking
Belonging to our families, friends, school, university
in decision-making processes.
or workplace may seem easy enough. But what about the sense of belonging to community, City,
Belonging is what is shaking up Europe at the
identity, culture, Europe?
moment – the migrant crisis has triggered a discussion about who belongs and who doesn’t,
Belonging as a concept for Limerick 2020 is not a
about whether we want to embrace multiplicity
fuzzy, safe and familiar feeling; it is a self-challenging
in Europe or turn our backs on our common aims
concept that makes us question where and why we
and fall back into nationalisms and raised fences.
belong and how we include others in our sense of
And what does the current situation of Europe’s
belonging. It is aimed at creating a wider, expanded
disunity say about each of us belonging to Europe?
version of belonging – starting from the familiar to the foreign, getting a sense of Home, setting out
With the concept of belonging we will explore
on a Quest, eager to Interface with the world.
the nature of European Citizenship, delivering a Programme which addresses urgent European and
Belonging as we understand it includes the identity
local issues – often similar or the same – and how to
of people in Limerick and the sense of belonging
create an authentic and coherent sense of belonging
that is vital to make people feel at home in their
to Limerick, to Ireland and to Europe.
City – especially if it is a complex, dynamic, warm, diverse, challenging and difficult place like Limerick. We want all Limerick citizens, Irish and New Irish, to feel that there is a place for them in the fabric of the City, a place in the cultural space, a place in our ever evolving cultural identity, a place in our common European identity – whether it is the professor at the University of Limerick or the youngster from Moyross whose biggest pride is their horse.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
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Section I - Contribution to the Long Term Strategy
Contribution to the Long Term Strategy Describe the Cultural Strategy that is in place in your city at the time of the application, as well as the city's plans to strengthen the capacity of the cultural and creative sectors, including through the development of long term links between these sectors and the economic and social sectors in your city. What are the plans for sustaining the cultural activities beyond the year of the title? How is the European Capital of Culture action included in this strategy? Imagining Limerick as a potential European Capital of Culture has been a key means of understanding our challenges as a City and the changing dynamic of Europe today. Limerick’s engagement in bidding for the European Capital of Culture has come at a very important moment - a time of dynamic change and challenge for the city and region. Social and economic issues forced the people of Limerick to request the National Government to begin a regeneration process, to amalgamate Limerick City and County Council in 2014 and enable a new Local Authority to create a long term vision for the city. Imagining ourselves, Limerick’s citizens, as a vital component in gaining the ECOC designation has given us a rejuvenated sense of self and confidence. To rediscover the heart of Limerick, we successfully earned in 2012 the designation as the first National City of Culture to break the logjam of victimhood and negativity. After this initially challenging but ultimately very rewarding year in 2014, we discovered the potential of cultural actions as powerful tools for social and economic transformation. Beginning in 2015, we developed our first ever Cultural Strategy through a wide process of consultation with citizens, cultural groups and civic organisations. This strategy is in the context of our European Capital of Culture bid and our long-term economic plan for 2030. It is about culture's role in the quality of life and personal well-being of individuals and growing Cultural Capacity to assist Social Regeneration and Economic Development.
Limerick’s bid for European Capital of Culture and the Cultural Strategy are fused together in the ambitions that drive the City for the next 15 years. These objectives are: Growing Limerick’s cultural capacity by retaining
Placing culture at the heart of the economic
and attracting practitioners and creatives to live
growth and regeneration of Limerick
and work in Limerick
Up-skilling citizens through involvement in culture
Growing the physical and human resources, infrastructure and support for staging largescale interventions, performances, festivals and
Becoming a centre for active research and problem-solving that will have both local, national
productions
and European significance
Supporting innovative and creative collectives
Increasing and supporting the role of the creative
in Limerick Fostering multiple examples of imagination, innovation and integration in Limerick and to use creative approaches to help citizens and visitors re-imagine Limerick
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industries in Limerick
Limerick 2020 Belonging
1.1
Section I - Contribution to the Long Term Strategy
AS PART OF OUR CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAMME (ACTIVATE 2020) OUR
(Continued)
EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE BID TARGETS THE CULTURAL STRATEGY OBJECTIVES WITHIN THESE SPECIFIC ACTIONS: • Creative Work Fellowship proposal,
• Creating participation and
lobbying for a new designation for
engagement through an open
cultural workers through the Creative
European call for cultural projects
Work Fellowship (similar to France,
BRING YOUR BELONGINGS TO
Germany and the Netherlands) within
LIMERICK to be part of the Limerick
Ireland's state support system and as
2020 programme
a pilot project for artists, creatives and cultural practitioners in Limerick as part
• Challenging our digital sector to
of the Limerick European Capital of
participate in developing innovative
Culture 2020
projects like SPÁS Ludic Interface,
• Building capacity within Limerick City
an immersive year-long reality game, in twelve segments, through
and County Council and the Cultural
multiple European technical and
sector to develop higher quality events
creative partners
and festivals with potential to draw national and European audiences
• Bringing capacity to the creative industries sector to engage with
• Supporting new independent cultural
Europe's ambition for upskilling
organisations such as Fidget Feet,
and Limerick's opportunities as
and Ormston House to establish
a place of excellence through:
dynamic resource institutions in
Limerick with active European
- The development of the Digital Skills
networks and connectivity
Academy – Pop-Up Knowledge Centre
in the Georgian Quarter responding
to the skills needs of businesses, new
Siege' and 'The Wedding' as ground-up
investors and start-ups, connecting
initiatives. Working with communities,
people to job opportunities
• Developing flagship events 'Lifting the
local organisations and partnering with
international organisations so as to
- The Irish Fashion Incubator and
deliver real Cultural Capacity and
related projects, FabLab and Limerick
Artistic Excellence within the fabric
City Build, in design, fashion and
of Limerick's housing estates, sports
technologies creating ambitious
stadiums and other non-traditional
challenges for graduates, creatives
sites for cultural events
and assisting people particularly
young people to engage in the digital,
technological and creative sectors
• Upscaling Ireland's film and digital industry through Troy Film Studios, based in Limerick, delivering tangible economic benefits
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section I - Contribution to the Long Term Strategy
GROWING THE CAPACITY OF THE CULTURAL SECTOR WITH THE ABILITY FOR DYNAMIC CONNECTIVITY WITH THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SECTORS IS OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY. This long-term vision for Limerick provides the impetus for the cultural sector to contribute to the economic and social development of Limerick through job creation, tourism, place-making and improving quality of life and well-being. The Cultural Strategy is based on an
The tangible factors that will sustain our
integrated approach emphasising the
development beyond 2020 will include:
inter-dependencies and inter-agency
• The commitment of the Local Authority
collaboration necessary to connect
and the regional stakeholders to
communities and sectors and guide
support the cultural sector through
change and investment incrementally
funding, infrastructure and in kind
building a new perspective for Limerick
support
as an ambitious European City.
• The bedding in of creative industries initiatives will continue to drive the
2020 and Beyond
cultural momentum
Becoming European Capital of Culture
• The growth in capacity of the cultural
will boost and focus our efforts and we will learn and benefit from the experience.
sector in Limerick and the region • The networking and connectivity
Through the designation, citizens, artists and cultural operators will find new ways
capabilities within Ireland and
of belonging to Europe, Limerick and
Europe to foster and enable sustainable partnerships
each other.
• The growth in demand for cultural
Our bid to become European Capital of
• The development of the economic
Culture 2020 informs our cultural vision,
activities of quality, scale and ambition
ambitions and activity strands to 2020.
and tourism sector that will in turn generate funding
Its legacy will inform the following 10 years.
1.2
If your city is awarded the title of European Capital of Culture, what do you think would be the long-term cultural, social and economic impact on the city (including in terms of urban development)? Potential Released Limerick is on the verge of dramatic and dynamic change, a Region that has captured the imagination of our country. The designation of European Capital of Culture would firmly present Limerick as a 'City of the Future', accomplished in the integration of tradition, advanced technologies and contemporary culture. The designation would be a catalyst for transformation and rebuilding, declaring Limerick’s readiness as a European City unifying industry, business and culture in the decade following 2020.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section I - Contribution to the Long Term Strategy
National and Regional Context Limerick's potential to grow physically, economically, socially and culturally would be greatly enhanced by ECOC 2020 but the knock-on effect for Ireland as a whole would be additionally significant. The Regional imbalance experienced is similar to other European countries. Current data suggests that the Greater Dublin Area on the east coast will account for 39% of the population of the Republic of Ireland by 2030, bringing infrastructural and socio-economic challenges. Limerick is an ideal candidate to address these
Limerick will be recognised for effective and
challenges. Its geographic position, centrally placed
innovative cultural policy and participation levels
on the west coast between Cork and Galway makes
for culture in Limerick will remain above national
it ready to kick-start the rebalancing of Regional
average in the period 2020 -2030.
development. A former head of the Department of Finance recently said that with adequate investment
Social Development
Limerick has the potential to be a hub, an economic
Limerick will be seen as an example of successful
“urban engine” to test and develop solutions that
regeneration and improved social deprivation index.
can be implemented in the wider Irish context.
Limerick will be regarded as having a leadership role as an Age-Friendly City, regarded as best-practice in
ECOC 2020 would amplify our ability to connect
Europe and have active social and cultural policies
major infrastructure developments such as the
of participation and engagement.
Troy Film Studio’s economic outputs in relation to job creation, graduate retention and GVA. This
Economic Development
would contribute to the broadening of the national
Our 2030 economic goal will see increased
economic base as well increasing the population
employment, a target of 8,000 people by 2020
and bringing a better quality of life to the towns
and 20,000 by 2030. Increasing numbers of
and villages of Limerick and Clare—which will also
Erasmus and international students choosing to
spread north and south to other Cities. The growth
study in Limerick. Targets include increasing the
in population would also sustain and boost
numbers of incoming Erasmus students at the
Shannon Airport and drive the development of
University of Limerick annually from the incoming
Shannon Foynes Port.
cohort of 500 to 700 and outgoing from 400 to 600. Limerick will be regarded as an innovative
Cultural Development
and attractive City to live and work.
The Cultural legacy of Limerick 2020, would include enhanced, well-supported, ambitious events and
Urban Development
festivals programme, for example, establishing EVA
Limerick will undergo considerable regeneration,
International as a genuinely world class visual arts
as part of the spatial plan, including all of the seven
Biennial. It will include an increased sense of
infrastructural sites being advanced or completed.
Belonging to Limerick and an increased awareness
(See Capacity to Deliver).
of belonging to the wider European cultural context.
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Section I - Contribution to the Long Term Strategy
1.3
Describe your plans for monitoring and evaluating the impact of the title on your city and for disseminating the results of the evaluation. In particular, the following questions could be considered: • Who will carry out the evaluation? Limerick 2020 proposes a pan-European co-operation in ECOC-designated regions, to conduct a 10-year research programme to develop a unique model and system of comparative measurement and evaluation of the impact of ECOC on Limerick and other European citizens as part of the network. This proposal seeks to implement the new obligation from the Commission for ECOCs 2020-2030 to carry out an evaluation but to do so in a collaborative manner with a group of cities, creating a more consistent approach with an ambitious longitudinal study target. Already Valetta 2018, Matera 2019, Plovdiv 2019 and Rijeka 2020 have signalled their interest in participation. Forming the partnership would be the first stage and will be followed by the selection of a consultancy firm to assist in guiding the research and the evaluation process. The Network would take an action research-based approach to establishing a dynamic working methodology with a strong focus on citizen participation and collaborative review mechanisms. The structure to build and maintain this network would involve the Shannon Consortium (The University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology and Mary Immaculate College) together with partnerships with other ECOC Cities. Partnerships would also be sought with Romania and Greece (ECOC 2021), short listed 2021 cities in candidate countries for EU membership and Lithuania and Luxemburg in 2022. To make this proposal concrete it would be necessary to establish with the Commission, common guidelines and indicators based on the objectives and the criteria of the ECOC action, formal agreement amongst the network of cities and a funding plan developed. This we hope would be a valuable addition to the previous studies of European Capitals of Culture, particularly from the perspective of the longitudinal aspect of the evaluation. This proposal would involve engagement with ECOC teams from five to six cities with a coordinator from each of the teams linking with a professional survey research company. The Shannon Consortium could be the institutional partner to take on a coordination role within the overall process. • Will concrete objectives and milestones between the designation and the year
of the title be included in your evaluation plan?
The challenge is to develop a standard methodology to measure in relation to ECOC including the social, cultural and economic metrics of the existing situation in the years leading up to the ECOC and consequently, the impacts during and in the years after the designation. We would expect to have the partnership established and operational by early 2017. We would plan to measure and monitor annually agreed sets of information based on Social Data: - Audience participation and engagement; Cultural Data - based on level of organisational activity and capacity and Economic Data - based on general economic and tourist activity that is driven by culture. • What baseline studies or surveys - if any - will you intend to use? Working with our partners, we need to agree a common set of baseline studies. Given our previous studies based on social impact, this is a particular area we would like to share and develop with partners. We must also coordinate the data being collected and agree common studies across the partner ECOC Cities.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section I - Contribution to the Long Term Strategy
Belonging makes you want to stay Justyna Cwojdzińska, Polska Éire Festival, People's Park Limerick
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section I - Contribution to the Long Term Strategy
1.3
• What sort of information will you track and monitor?
(Continued)
• Audience, Access and Participation in local and European context • Cultural sector participation, engagement and collaboration local and European • Perception studies as interpreted though all media platforms and direct
engagement with people
• Economic metrics including socio-economic environment and tourism • Social Capital - Sense of Belonging The objectives set out above inform our specific monitoring and evaluation targets. They centre around: Belonging – to Community, to the City Region, to Europe (social impact and image) Indicators - 1. Participation levels 2. Positivity Index 3. European connectivity 4. Breadth and reach of cultural offering 5. Inclusion across social strata, minorities and new communities. Audience Development and Cultural Quality (cultural engagement and quality) Indicators - 1. Audience participation cycles pre and post ECOC 2. Culture quality range and ambition 3. Availability of and participation with diverse cultural productions 4. City cultural comparators. Organisational Structure, Strength and Funding (cultural system, capacity building) Indicators - 1. Measurement of Cultural Sector 2. Connectivity to European and International partners 3. Change and segmentation in funding 4. Professionalisation and Market capacity of sector 5. Connectivity to Community and Corporate sectors 6. Overall number of creatives in city over research cycle. Economic Impact of Culture (employment, tourism, creative industries). Indicators - 1. Growth of Culture and Creative Industries and related employment 2. Graduate retention and creative training/start-up opportunities 3. Employment rates 4. GVA of ECOC Year 5. Hotel Occupancy 6. Tourist Revenue. • How will you define “success”? Developing a shared resource for ECOC research and testing this model over a sustained period would be its important achievement. Clearly the aims and objectives of each ECOC programme must be linked to the evaluation process and the focus of the Research Network must remain on European citizen engagement, consultation, and participation and measuring the tangible outcomes of the process. The value of this study would be to reveal the engagement, the empowerment and disruption for the Cities involved that can be measured over a 10 year period. • Over what time frame and how regularly will the evaluation be carried out? We are indicating a 10 year study, a major ambition. However, it is a valid means of developing a cooperative collaborative approach to this significant aspect of ECOC. Given the scale of the project and the estimated number of partners involved, it could become a very cohesive organisational tool. The results of many ECOC are only really manifest years on from the title and it is this long-term process that has merit. In practical terms, the evaluation must be continuously ongoing with annual targets for completion.
15
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section I - Contribution to the Long Term Strategy
Ireland Limerick Limerick County Limerick City
Our Place in Europe 16
Limerick 2020 Belonging
2 2.1 2.1.1
Section II - European Dimension
European Dimension Elaborate on the scope and quality of the activities Promoting the Cultural Diversity of Europe, intercultural dialogue and the mutual understanding between citizens
Belonging. Few words have become more meaningful in Europe today. Indeed, the very idea of belonging has been profoundly transformed by migration, mobility and globalisation. The struggle to belong is one many of us face in our lifetime. Europe aspires toward a model of inclusivity and participation. Everybody is meant to belong. But the reality is quite different. Europe is coming to terms with profound political and environmental changes that are challenging the very nature of citizenship and identity. In our continent of diversity, belonging, it seems, is not available to everybody. Yet Europe is a beacon of belonging. Those approaching our borders do so out of hope, aspiring to belong to a continent that has repeatedly defended diversity and fought for human rights. Extraordinary risks are taken to belong here, and with each new arrival another question is asked: “What does it mean to belong in this society of multiplicity?� With the expanding nature of mobility, once simple notions of identity are being eroded. Millions do not live in their country of birth, millions have multiple citizenships, and millions live in doubt as to where they belong. For many, the ability to belong is challenged by perspectives that seek to judge and reject those who do not or cannot conform to certain conventions or values. This is a challenge that is not confined to those seeking a home in a new place. Even for indigenous people of Limerick, there are struggles to belong. These are complex. Many of us strive to measure up to societal norms. Maybe we feel we do not belong to our own community. We are increasingly disconnected from the environment and indeed from our traditions, and ultimately we need to belong to ourselves. Belonging is not simple nor is it easy. Now, we must rise to challenge our own understanding of belonging and embrace a new concept of community. This responsibility is not limited to nations on the perimeter of Europe. Each Region within Europe has its own stories, its own challenges and each can find important ways of enabling participation and embracing multiplicity. If we are to be a cohesive society then we need to reconsider what it means to be part of that society.
17
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section II - European Dimension
Here in Limerick, and in Ireland, the question of belonging has been at the heart of our own story. We are a people for whom migration was once a way of survival, forced by conflict, poverty and famine to leave our homeland. But despite its deeply tragic reasons, Irish migration has in many ways been characterised by a strengthened sense of community and togetherness. Like so many nations where migration has played a central role, the contribution to these new communities has been a defining hallmark that has resonated across continents and history. This experience of being ‘other’ is ingrained in our psyche, it gives us a unique insight that we can use in our exploration of belonging. We understand that forcing a casting off of traditions and to compelling cultural values to be adopted does not encourage a sense of belonging. We understand that belonging is now both more complex and richer than every before. During our years as Europe’s “economic tiger”, Ireland’s doorways welcomed more than those who bade farewell. New Irish is what we started to call those who settled here. And for many, this phrase opened a further doorway, a way of embracing that still acknowledged difference. Limerick is no different to other places perhaps, but we believe that this tough, edgy but spirited place can take on the biggest challenge of all – that through positive interactions and acceptance, we can enable cohesion and belonging. Interculturalism, at its heart, is essentially about a community which is at ease with its difference and diversity, where people are actively engaged with each other. Research has shown that vibrant and diverse communities demonstrate far less negativity about the impacts of immigration and are more accepting of difference. In Limerick, we take pride in how our new communities have re-energised our City Centre, a place which the “Old Irish” had neglected. Their Festivals – now our Festivals – have reimagined public spaces as great venues, such as the People’s Park or the laneways that weave through the City. We see and understand Limerick anew. When our Polish population engaged with the development of our Artistic Programme, they told us that for them, Limerick is now home. They belong here. They feel it and so do we. Our three programme strands – Home, Quest, and Interface (described more fully in the Artistic Programme) each engage with the diversity and complexity of how culture can instil and enable belonging. The projects explore belonging in a multicultural society, belonging to one’s natural environment, and navigating what it means to belong to Europe. The building of a home, through an exploration of intercultural dialogue, is explored through projects like the World Recipe Exchange – a food festival which celebrates the richness of culinary traditions of New European communities in Limerick, Brave Sister– which will make the rituals of the various communities of Limerick visible and Tell me a Story- which builds a bridge from contemporary arts students, via the stories of New Irish/ migrant communities, to children under 12. Environmental belonging is enabled by kinetic sculptures that mimic aspects of our environment and festivals focusing on our natural resources and river. The power of language to convey ideas about identity and community is explored in Tiny Plays for Europe (inviting citizens to submit micro plays in four cities across Europe) and Reading European Minds (enabling a diversity of perspectives for English and Irish speaking audiences). Take 5 will bring theatre-makers from Europe to collaborate with us in Limerick communities, while our theatre-makers will travel to Europe to experience other communities’ experiences of telling their stories. The Wedding will celebrate the love story between Aoife from Limerick and Mateusz from Wroclaw.
18
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section II - European Dimension
2.1.2
Highlighting the common aspects of European cultures, heritage and history as well as European integration and current European themes; and common aspects of European cultures, heritage and history Many of the key themes relating to our shared European heritage – stories of conflict, siege, of castles and rivers, of growth, decline and rebuilding are spread throughout our projects and through our three programme strands. But we also want to place an emphasis in this question on the exploration of a number of areas that are particular important in Europe today. Digital Habitats The first of these explorations recognises the impact of technology and communication and we have coined “Digital Habitats” to describe a position that recognised its complex influence. Digital Habitats is our ideological foundation for this exploration. We believe the digital world’s interface with and potential transformation of our relationship with culture is a crucial and underexplored European theme. While it is customary to celebrate the benefits of connectivity and efficiency in the digital age, what is far more rarer is a consideration of the consequences of these technologies on our cultural values and interactions and the subsequent transformation of our sense of place. Though having many social and economic challenges, Limerick has also played a central role in Ireland’s progression to becoming a powerhouse of the information age. Its significance as a centre for technology manufacturing and development is apparent through the range of international investments and agencies and third level resources dedicated to software and digital research. With a large workforce employed in the technology sector, a significant population under the age of 30 and a vibrant student community, Limerick is a place in which the resonances of the digital age are intensely felt. We are well placed to create a new space for exploration if designated ECOC 2020. There is little doubt that digital technology can augment and improve our relationship with cultural forms and our experience of revolutionary creative practices. Yet it has simultaneously diminished the role of the physically present audience. So whilst digitisation has on one level been a significant audience development tool, it has also contributed to a feeling of disconnection. There is now a far greater acknowledgement that these technologies have the power to significantly displace both tangible experience and traditional media. In 2014, web content streaming eclipsed television as the favoured focus for advertising investment, with many declaring the passing of broadcast media an inevitability. Though the long-term consequences of the new digital media culture are as yet unclear, its influence on production and audience behaviour is of such significance that cultural practitioners and enablers see it as one of the field’s most serious challenges. The assumption (backed by market research) is that digital media can augment traditional modes of engagement and that the virtual and physical can continue to co-exist in a mutually beneficial way. However successfully such an existence may play out in theory, it is vital that we consider how these new forms of digital media impact communities that do not enjoy the range of cultural opportunities offered by larger Cities or face socio-economic challenges that reduce engagement with opportunities.
19
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section II - European Dimension
As such, this Interface between traditional and new forms of cultural experience – in both creating and as an audience - is explored by us as a major contribution to a significant European cultural issue. Projects exploring the digital habitat question include SPÁS Ludic Interfaces, a specially commissioned, immersive reality game that will take place over a year in public spaces, transforming the city of Limerick into a dynamic interface for play with each month using a different technology to interface locally and online, Electric Eel // technologies of obstruction, a festival of cutting edge digital sub-cultures. Another project in this vein is Culturewave, an online streaming and broadcast initiative that will connect local and international communities to the many activities of Limerick 2020. Strategies for the Digital Age Given the necessity for Europe to explore the connections between digital and analogue access to culture, we are committed to seek out how best to harness new technologies. This provides us with the possibility to widen access to more traditional cultural offerings through background services that will influence how the programme is implemented. Belonging and our Natural Environment Exploring our relationship to our environment and recognising the part we play in contributing to the balance of our ecological systems, is of particular significance in the context of our theme of belonging. Recognising and embracing the diversity and richness of our natural surroundings is key. Although Limerick is Ireland’s third largest city, 30% of the City is green space and 75% of the surface area of the City/ County is farmland. The City also sits on Ireland’s longest river, the Shannon. As an island, Ireland has been severely affected by the changes in climate and is prone to be even more so in the near future. We are keen to explore the complex relationships between identity, culture, landscape and climate and how we can share an understanding of those relationships with others in Europe experiencing similar challenges. Do we use our river as we could and should? Our river shapes our City and defines our Region. It is majestic and menacing at the same time. The Museum of Mythological Water Beasts brings together an inclusive and absorbing programme of events which enables us to understand, explore and use our river in new ways. Liquid Maps explores the impact of weather systems on European life and Foinse / Open Source Life explores how the digital world of open source knowledge-sharing can affect sustainable living, ecology, agriculture and transport.
20
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section II - European Dimension
21
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section II - European Dimension
2.1.3
Featuring European artists, cooperation with operators and cities in different countries, and transnational partnerships. Name some European and international artists, operators and cities with which cooperation is envisaged and specify the type of exchanges in question. Name the transnational partnerships your city has already established or plans to establish.
Canada
Ireland
United Kingdom
USA
Home
Belonging Spain Portugal
Quest
Interface
Lifting the Siege
Brave Sister
Beuys Today
Limerick Sings!
Walk the Plank (UK) / Plovdiv 2019 (BG) / Pafos 2017 (CY) / Ruta Association (HR) / Kaunas 2022 (LT)
Brave Festival (PL) / Cultural Heritage without Borders (SE) / SEE Heritage Network (AL) (BA) (HR) (XK) (RS) (MK) (ME) / European Music Council
The Goethe Institut (EU) / Labin Industrial Art Biennial (HR) / Tate Galleries (UK) / Prof. Dr. Christa-Maria Lerm Hayes University of Amsterdam (NL)
European Choral Association: Europa Cantat (EU)
Opening Ceremony Devised & designed by Marko Bolkovic (Director of Festival Visualia) (HR)
World Recipe Exchange
Fabulous Tales...
Migration Lab (NL) / Freek Jansens / The Urban Food Experience / University of Amsterdam (NL)
Bands Beyond Borders San Sebastián 2016 (ES) / Drum Corps Europe (NL)
Atlantic Fringe North Atlantic Fiddle Convention Plymouth (UK)
Topipittori (IT) / Babelmatrix (HU) / Rijeka Library (HR) / IBBY - International Board on Books for Young People (EU) / Mostra Internazionale d’Illustrazione per I’infanzia (IT)
Liquid Maps COAL (Coalition for art and sustainable development) (FR) / Creative Carbon Scotland (UK) / Rijeka 2020 - Sweet & Salt project (HR)
EVA – The Art of Belonging
Roots and Tendrils
New Mythologies of Europe
The Wedding
Institut Francais (FR) / Swiss Arts Council (CH) / Mondrian Fund (NL) / Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen Stuttgart (DE) / International Biennial Foundation / Kaunas Biennale (LT) / Plymouth Culture (UK) / Ambassade de France en Irlande / Labin Industrial Art Biennial (HR)
Onra (FR) / Brian Cross (US) / Akala (UK) / Clap Clap (IT) / Hauschka (DE) / Gogo Penguin (UK)
Kalamata:21 / Matera 2019 / Rijeka 2020 / Mlade Rime Festival (SI) / Norwegian Festival of Literature (NO)
Nu:Write, Zagreb (HR) / Festival of Alternative and New Theatre Novi Sad (RS) / GLAS (CH) / Divadlo na Zábradlí (CR) / Creative Laboratory of Contemporary Theatre (HR) / Jukka-Pekka Pajunen, Literary Consultant / Translator (FI) / Lókal - International Theater Festival (Ragnheiður Skúladóttir) (IS) / Rakastajat Theatre Company (FI)
European Collections: Alien Encounters
Reading European Minds: Translating to Belong
Grand Central Residency
Culture Wave
The World Museum Vienna (AT) / The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (NZ) / The Museum of Ridiculously Interesting Things (NZ) / Museum Ann De Stroom (BE) / The Research Centre for Material Culture (NL)
Litera / HLO (HU) / ECF, European Cultural Foundation (NL/EU) / Creative Europe Literary Translation
East Topics (HU) / 42 international artist-led organisations from Aarhus (DK) Tirana (AL) Graz, Vienna (AT) Toronto (CA) Helsinki, Turku, Vaasa (FI) Lyon (FR) Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich (DE) Isfahan/Tehran (IR) Riga (LV) Rotterdam, Haarlem (NL) Oslo Tromso (NO) Pozan (PL) Ljubljana (SI) Cape Town (ZA) Madrid (ES) Ramallah (PS) Falun, Malmö, Norrköping, Skåne, Stockholm, Västerås (SW) Basel (CH) Damascus (SY) Columbus (USA) Bilbao (SP/PV)
Audible (UK) / Resonance FM (UK) / In the Dark (UK) / Longeur d’ondes (FR) Sverige Radio (SW) / Radiotopia (USA) / ABC (AU)
Global Young Filmmakers Longest Day Wicked:16 (UK) / British Film Institute (UK) / Croatian Film Association (HR) / Cultural Center GornjiMilanovac (RS) / Enimation (SI)
The Flight of the Wild Geese Royal De Luxe, Nantes (FR)
22
Electric Eel Pixelache (FI) / Mal Au Pixel (FR) / Piksel (DE) / Access Space (UK) / Pixel Libre (CA) / Electropixel (FR) / Department of Computer Science, York St. John University (UK) / Cluj-Napoca 2021 (RO) / Pixelazo (CO) / Afropixel (SN) / Pikslaverk (IS) / Electric Castle (RO) / Pixelvårk (SE)
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section II - European Dimension
Finland Sweden
Estonia
Lithuania
Denmark
Netherlands
Poland Germany
Belgium
Czech Republic
Luxembourg
France
Slovakia
Austria
Switzerland
Hungary Croatia
Slovenia
Romania Serbia
Bosnia & Herzegovina Montenegro Kosovo
Italy
Albania
Bulgaria
Macedonia
Greece
New Zealand
South Africa
Cyprus
Malta
Hidden Path
Little Histories
Take 5
TLC Feast
Eurorando (CZ) / Waymarkers (NI) / The Walking Institute (UK)
The Museum of Forgetting (SE) / Institute for Research on Migration Ethnicity and Society (SE)
Creative Laboratory of Contemporary Theatre (HR) / More or Less Theater (MT) / Laughing Matters (MT) / Reteteatre (IT) / Company New Heroes (NL) / Flute Theatre (UK)
L-Ikla t-Tajba (MT) / The Maltese/Frisian potato dinner (NL)
Hyperplace CRISAP (Creative Research into Sound Arts Practice) (UK) / Unit for Sound Practice Research, Goldsmiths University (UK) / Company New Heroes (NL) / World Forum for Acoustic Ecology
School of Spectacle
Tiny Plays for Europe
Museum of Mythological Water Beasts
TheatrClwyd (UK) / Dundee Rep (UK) / International Festival of Alternative and New Theatre Novi Sad (RS) / Irish Festival of Oulu (FI) / Viterbo Festival (IT) / GLAS (CH)
European Investment Bank Art Collection EIB Art Collection (LX) / Curator: Delphine Munro (FR/LX)
Sing Out with Strings! SEYO, Sistema Europe / Big Noise (UK) / Sistema Cymru Cod’r (UK) / Sistema England (UK) / SODO (HR)
Walk the Plank (UK) / Plovdiv 2019 (BG) / Pafos 2017 (CY) / Ruta Association (HR) / Kaunas 2022 (LT) / II Posto (IT) / Retouramount (FR) / Gravity and Levity (UK) / Kate Lawrence (UK) / Histeria Nova (HR) / Aeriosa (CA)
Tell Me a Story C&T Theatre (UK) / Osterreichischer Bundesverband für ausserberufliches Theater (AT) / Bund Deutscher Amateurtheater e.v. (DE) / Pufferfish Kunstverein (AT) / EUCLID (UK)
Sonic Union
The Hip Hop Connection
Ars Acoustica (EU) / Deutschlandradio Kultur (DE) / France Cultur - Radio France (FR) / Klangforum Wien (AT) / International Rostrum of Composers / International Music Council / UNESCO
L’Embobineuse (FR) Tongue Fu (UK) Lodz (PL) Valetta 2018 (MT) San Sebastian 2016 (ES)
Encounters
Foinse - Open Source Life
The Travelling Alphabet
Loop Festival (ES) / VoArte (PT) / C-DaRE, Centre for Dance Research, Coventry (UK) / (IMZ), International Music + Media Centre (AT)
Cohabitat Gathering (PL) / Open Source Ecology (US)
Dear Younetwork of 33 schools in 17 countries: Vienna (AT) / Antwerp (BE) / Ontario (CA) / Prague (CZ) / Hinnerup and Odder (DK) / Põlvamaaand Mooste (EE) / Espoo, Helsinki, Vantaa (FI) / Berlin (DE) / Nuuk (GL) / Mysore (IN) / Karelia (RU) / Western Cape (ZA) / Taipei (TW) / Istanbul (TU) / Nottingham (UK) / Philadelphia and Heath (US) / Hanoi (VM) / Matera (IT)
Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition (UK) / Rijeka 2020 (HR) / Eleusis 2021 (GR) / Mark Dion (US) / River//Cities Platform (PL) / David Winton Bell Gallery, Brown University (US)
Identity in Motion
SPÁS Ludic Interface Departament Gier (PL) / Matheson Marcault (UK) / Open Space – Matera (IT) / Weliketomakeanddo (UK) / AMAZE. de (DE) / Playful Commons Sebastian Quack (DE) / Copenhagen Game Collective (DK) / Placc Festival (HU)
La Briqueterie – Centre de développment choréographique du val-de-marne (FR) / Sardegno Teatro (IT) / Cagliari (IT)
Hip H'Opera Motion House (UK)
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section II - European Dimension
2.2
Can you explain your strategy to attract the interest of a broad European and international public? Our programme contains seven flagship events featuring spectacle, theatre, contemporary music and visual art, all of which will have broad European and International appeal. These include, The River of Light, (opening ceremony) Lifting the Siege, a spectacular approach to community street theatre, EVA International, Biennial of Contemporary Art, The Wedding, outdoor theatrical set pieces involving artists and guests from 28 countries and the most remarkable European Wedding celebration ever, Sonic Union, a major festival of new contemporary music, Limerick Sings, a mass choral event bringing choirs from throughout Europe, The Flight of the Wild Geese, Royal De Luxe interprets the siege and mass departure from Limerick to the fields of France, Flanders and Spain. Other intriguing events will be the invitation to walkers and ramblers from all over Europe to discover the natural splendour and diverse landscapes of our region via The Hidden Path. Limerick itself will be populated with dramatic presentations including The Museum of Mythological Beasts, Liquid Maps and Encounters located in curious locations across the city. Limerick 2020 will be a programme of belonging, connecting the urban and rural, the contemporary and the traditional. Audience development and marketing strategies will embrace the richness of local and international values in a Region that has shown the transformative capacity of culture. Our strategy to attract an International audience in tandem with our Marketing will: Mix the seriousness and relevance of our programme with an international invitation that is celebratory and fun (see Marketing section) Partner with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to use Limerick as the hook for cultural tourism to Ireland in 2020 and work in conjunction with Shannon Airport to promote Limerick 2020 in the European and American destinations which are connected to Limerick via direct flights Use the extensive network of contacts we have established over several years to promote the innovation of Limerick’s 2020 cultural programme to European networks and to encourage our strategic partners – such as the Universities with their extensive European contacts to extol Limerick’s unique qualities and promote the region as the venue in 2020 (and prior) for learning, conferences and debates Encourage those members of Limerick’s New Irish communities to give a special welcome to their family and friends to see the place they now call home Invite Limerick’s Diaspora who responded so well to 'The Gathering 2013' to make a special effort to come home both in the build-up years and also in the year itself Strategically connect and engage with the potential ambassadors, incoming and outgoing, from Limerick’s Erasmus programme to spread our message across Europe. The University of Limerick Erasmus programme has been active since 1988 and with a network of 300 European partners welcomes over 500 students per year from across Europe with over 400 Limerick students participating in Erasmus placements each year. More detail is contained in our Marketing Strategy where we take a fresh look at attracting Europe's “Culturally Curious”
24
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section II - European Dimension
2.3
To what extent do you plan to develop links between your cultural programme and the cultural programme of other cities holding the European Capital of Culture title? We have initiated real connections with Cities which have been or will be future candidates for European Capital of Culture and have been hugely encouraged by the generosity of both spirit and action which we have encountered. We developed a clear plan around how we built relationships with these other cities in order to maximise the potential to create long-term partnerships irrespective of the outcome of our competitions. That plan is focused on three clear criteria: Comparing, Learning, Co-creating. Comparing When Limerick was developing its Cultural Strategy, we were keen to compare our City with other culture-rich European Cities whom we could benchmark against to determine our strengths and weaknesses and to identify where we could either build on current best practice in our own Region or identify aspirational targets from Cities who were ahead of us in their organisation and thinking. Most of our comparators were ECOC past or future Cultural Capitals or had been candidates. Learning We have had very open and deep exchanges of experience and advice from people involved with Liverpool 2008, Ruhr 2010, Guimaraes 2012, Wroclaw 2016, Pafos 2017, Leeuwarden 2018, Matera and Plovdiv 2019 and also Ravenna, a shortlisted Italian candidate for Italy 2019 and with Pula, one of the Croatian candidates for 2020. We have learned and observed during our invited visits to events, conferences, exhibitions and exchanges. We have placed particular emphasis on developing our Social Impact work, which is described particularly in the Outreach section of the Application.
25
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section II - European Dimension
Co-creating Our co-creations with other cities
We will work on several projects with
sharing the title are:
Rijeka 2020 including Liquid Maps,
With the Eva International Biennial we
The Museum of Mythological Water
have started to build closer connections
Beasts, Foinse / Open Source Life
with The Labin Industrial Art Biennial
and Hydrodynamic: Events on the
(Croatia) and Kaunas Biennial (Lithuania).
River Shannon.
The emerging network of ECOCs and
We are continuing our partnership with
ECOC candidates has enabled us to
Pula, Croatia and are co-creating our
share a successful application to
2020 Opening Ceremony The River
Creative Europe for Capacity-Building
of Light with the innovative light
and Internationalism.
Festival Visualia.
In the School of Spectacle Creative
In summary‌
Europe project we are working in
Limerick 2020 seeks to build on the
partnership with Pafos 2017 and
strong base of European connections
Plovdiv 2019, and candidate cities from
established by developing existing
Montenegro (2021) and Lithuania (2022).
partnerships, building new and meaningful
The lead partner in this project is UK
relationships to generate exciting projects,
based, Walk the Plank, which has worked
co-productions and funding applications.
on European Capital of Culture events
We will forge new ways of working
in Liverpool 2008 and Turku 2011. The
together and belonging together.
School of Spectacle is the capacitybuilding element of our flagship event Lifting the Siege and we will work with Plovdiv 2019 and Pafos 2017 to learn and share on this co-creation. With Leeuwarden 2018, we have established links for our project The Hidden Path and Wroclaw 2016 is included as a partner. With Matera 2019, we will work on co-creating our projects Take 5, Travelling Alphabet and The Hidden Path, which
Learning & Co-creating
connects to Matera’s project Roots and Routes.
26
Limerick 2020 Belonging
3 3.0
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Cultural and Artistic Content What is the artistic vision and strategy for the cultural programme for the year?
Our Vision for our European Capital of Culture Programme is to develop a high quality, bold and ambitious year-long artistic programme of exciting projects and events which explore, investigate and celebrate the multiplicity and diversity of Belonging. Belonging fills our memories, shapes our actions and through it, we identify the places and values that we crave. We belong to Limerick. We belong to Europe. We are ambitious for the places and people to whom we belong. Our European Programme will be edgy, curious and unique, reflecting Limerick's personality. It will be both ambitious and provocative, but also welcoming, expansive and filled with magic and joy. In 2020, we wish to celebrate that precious sense of belonging with Europe and also have a really good time! Limerick 2020 will be a place where: • Culturally connected audiences find a programme of high
quality and diverse scope
• Disconnected and hard to reach groups are embraced
through tailor-made activities and encouraged to take part
• Our citizens will have a chance to experience diverse and
engaging European cultures
• Emerging artists find support and creative industries flourish • Creative and cultural operators become more connected to each
other and to European and international artists and networks
• Opportunities to nurture ambitions and advance cultural
capacities are readily available.
Our Programme will be inclusive, expansive, and all-encompassing in new ways based on co-production and co-creation. We will engage public, private, educational and cultural sectors, old and new communities to contribute to the Programme's development and realisation. We will involve citizens as partners. We will work with residents in the heart of our communities to create self-authored activity that is meaningful and sustainable. The local becomes universal in the way it resonates. Artistic Programme Strategy The strategy to develop and deliver the Artistic Vision is about People, Capacity and Programme. Developing the people, organisations and partnerships to deliver and take part in it. Helping people and organisations to develop the necessary cultural capacity, through upskilling and connectivity with European cultural producers. Developing the Programme through nurturing the partnerships and creating a high level of artistic vision grounded in the issues that challenge our situation in Limerick and the broader European context. Specifically, the Programme strategy contains three aspects which complement the key elements of Limerick’s Cultural Strategy.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
3.0
They are:
(Continued)
1) A capacity-building programme from 2016 to 2019 to develop cultural
capacity for the benefit of sustainability of organisations and artists
2) The development of high impact, high quality programmes in 3 key
programme strands in which we examine and challenge aspects of
belonging. Those programme strands are Home, Quest and Interface
3) Inviting citizens of Europe to participate and belong Building Capacity Capacity-building is a key objective for us and our Cultural Strategy. We need to develop our creative potential. For Limerick to be truly creative, it must be alive to that potential and have the capacity to grow and deliver ideas. Through delivery of the activities set out below in Activate 2020, we will use the years leading up to 2020 to develop the capacity of both our cultural sector to deliver and our audiences to appreciate a wider range of work. Activate 2020 Activate 2020, our 2016 – 2019 capacity-building programme, is informed by extensive consultation and research with Limerick’s cultural and creative sectors. This consultation was undertaken in support of both our Cultural Strategy and our ECOC Application. The Programme which has emerged includes research, residencies, capacity building, training, peer-to-peer exchange and up-skilling. It supports the successful development and delivery of the three main strands of our Artistic Programme and, in particular, the artists and cultural organisations who will be our co-creators. Activate 2020 directly responds to the immediate needs and issues of the sector, providing the space and resources to develop and grow our new European partnerships for long-term relationships, friendships and legacies and to celebrate the cultural features that Europeans share. The main elements of Activate 2020 are: Grand Central: Residency and Exchange Programme Grand Central is a four-year residency and exchange programme based on the principles of the mobility of artists and culture professionals. It will host a diverse range of solo and group projects with local communities, reflecting on movement across borders—a fundamental principle of European integration. It takes place during the build up years and culminates as an integral part of the 2020 programme itself. More detail on Grand Central in the Artistic Programme (Interface) project descriptions. School of Spectacle This is a capacity-building project delivered with local and European partners for which we have recently secured Creative Europe funding. The partners include local arts organisation Fidget Fleet, Walk the Plank (UK), European Capitals of Culture Pafos 2017, Plovdiv 2019 and candidate city Kaunas 2022. The project begins in 2016 and will run to 2018 with plans in place to apply further to bring the project to 2021. School of Spectacle consists of six capacity-building training events or ‘schools’ between Autumn 2016 and March 2018 rotated across the partner cities. The cocreation supports the development of a core of outdoor arts producers in the partner cities, providing them with the opportunity to support the creation of new work for major
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
international festivals. The schools will provide training and
and young people by facilitating access and engagement to
performance opportunities for 25 practitioners from each city.
experiences, education and careers in ICT, engineering and
At the end of each school, participants will design and deliver
creative sectors. The centre will utilise e-platforms for virtual
a new event, which will add significant value to the event
learning and a digital platform to match needs, skills, and jobs.
programme of each partner. In Limerick, we will partner with
As a methodology, it draws on a Quadruple Helix partnership
Walk the Plank on Lifting the Siege—a site-responsive
approach including not only businesses, academia and public
performance and outdoor spectacle in the economically
administration but adding to the equation the user/citizen and
and socially challenged area of Moyross.
their input in co-design, participation and evaluation.
Creative Work Fellowship
Irish Fashion Incubator Limerick (IFIL)
The Creative Work Fellowships are an innovative financial
Fashion in the Limerick School of Art and Design is innovative
support structure designed to legitimise the position of
and focused on future trends. Opened in 2015, the Irish Fashion
artists/creatives in Ireland, who currently exist on social benefits.
Incubator Limerick (IFIL) is a centre for research engaging with
The scheme will grow to incorporate several hundred participants
textile-led wearable technologies in a project called Fashion
and will have the effect of changing the current situation where
Forward. The project aims to improve the lifestyles of the
artists wish to work in their studios but must ‘pretend they are
ageing population of Limerick and to meet their needs in a
available and looking for work’ to receive social welfare
way that addresses both functionality and aesthetics.
payments. This policy is aimed at supporting emerging graduate creative and cultural practitioners.
Fashion Forward calls for collaboration between fashion, textiles, technology and medical device design working
We are currently in discussions with Ireland’s Department of
with designCORE, Carlow, Design Factors in UL and other
Social Protection and will require a change in governmental
European partners.
policy to achieve a tangible method of capacity-building in the cultural sector. If agreed it would be unique to Ireland and
Limerick City Build and FabLab Limerick are both ongoing
piloted in Limerick with a target of five hundred participants.
initiatives in "meanwhile" locations at one of the City's strategic sites for development. Limerick City Build is a social enterprise
Creative Industry Initiatives
initiative formed to create employment pathways for
Troy Film Studios will be Ireland's new and largest film studio
economically marginalised and socially-excluded people
of 32,000 m2 in size, a project initiated by Limerick City and
in Limerick City. It is currently building 40 boats to enable
County Council. The building will house a media cluster for
children from Limerick Communities to train as Sea Scouts
production companies, which will support industries for film
and enjoy the River Shannon. FabLab was developed by the
and TV production on-site. The current availability of appropriate
School of Architecture University of Limerick and has enabled
full service studio space in the country is a restraining factor
creatives and communities to find creative design solutions
for Ireland’s audio visual sector’s growth.
cheaply and efficiently.
Digital Skills Academy is a Pop-up Knowledge Centre. It will be
Last but not least our Artistic Vision looks at artists and
a project delivered by Limerick City and County Council, together
culture professionals being able to sustain themselves
with seven partners, to address some of the burning issues
through their work. Limerick 2020 will create opportunities for
affecting Limerick’s labour market and its disadvantaged
innovation: new digital business models and new services to
communities. Digital Skills Academy specifically seeks to
develop and understand the culture experience in a digital age.
connect people, especially the low-skilled and the unemployed,
The experimental nature of arts and culture makes it a truly fertile
to the opportunities that Limerick’s burgeoning new technology
ground for innovation that will motivate the start-up community
sector offers. It does so in a way that is also responsive to the
and entrepreneurs to consider new services and products for
skills need of businesses, new investors and start-ups.
existing or entirely new markets. The Creative Industries initiatives will support creativity, ground-up innovation, start-ups
It will reduce employment mismatches, enhance cross-sectoral
and fluid methods of working where new ideas will be fostered
collaboration and support labour mobility. The project involves
and provide for new companies to grow.
creating a ‘pop up knowledge centre’, which will be located in the Georgian Quarter of Limerick. The centre will offer open access, open source, co-working and accredited learning with an emphasis on creativity. It will also meet the needs of children
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Home, is about creating a locus of belonging. Embracing diversity of traditions and cultures. A site of welcome, arrival and return, in which community, family and identity can prosper. Quest challenges assumptions and ideas; it explores pathways that are exciting, vital and sometimes dangerous. Quests are defined by a bravery to consider and present the world in a different light. Interface is an exploration of the means by which we interact and communicate. Interface is analogue, it is digital, it is holding another person’s hand. It is talking to each other, not about each other.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
3.1
Describe the structure of the cultural programme, including the range and diversity of the activities / main events that will mark the year. Our programme is structured into the three programme strands – Home, Quest and Interface – that tell the story of Belonging. This is a circular story – Home, Quest, Interface, Home and on to Quest, Interface, Home...
Home
Belonging
Quest
Interface
In our version, we land in Home in order to feel connected and belong. We need a connection with our community and our City, to feel empowered to create our own habitat. From a secure feeling – or alternatively to escape from persecution – we embark on a Quest – for identity, for a greater cause, for something to believe in, for encounters with others and the world. Quest teaches us a wider sense of belonging. There are lots of interesting people and cultures and things to discover, beyond the borders of our little world of Home. We become an Interface when we find something worth connecting to, becoming involved and communicating on a deeper level – not just sailing by the wonders of the world, but becoming a part of what is out there, being changed by it and returning Home a different person – to whom belonging is as natural as the flow of the River Shannon. The programme also contains at least one major internationally significant project every month to raise the profile of Limerick and appeal to and attract wider European audiences. At the same time, our Outreach approach (Question 5) enables Limerick residents to co-create with European partners on significant and meaningful projects so the year will reflect their stories and the issues that help us make sense of our identities and our differences. As we said earlier, ultimately our Vision enables us to find a way for the Programme to appeal to, involve and belong to everyone.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Home
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Flagship
Lifting the Siege
European/International Walk the Plank (UK) Plovdiv 2019 (BG) Pafos 2017 (CY) Ruta Association (HR) Kaunas 2022 (LT) Local/National Fidget Feet Northside Misfits Youth Justice Project Northside Knitting Group Men’s Sheds, Moyross and Southhill Youthreach, Moyross, Northside Family Resource Centre
September 2020, the symbolic locus of our journey to Belonging, we invite the whole of Europe, creators, performers and communities to join us in this celebration. Lifting the Siege will bring the streets of Limerick City to a magnificent standstill in 2020 as a cast of hundreds and an audience of many thousands engage in a trail-blazing spectacle of transformation. Limerick has been involved in many sieges. Its fortress of King John’s Castle was besieged no less than three times in the 17th century but yet its inhabitants refused to yield. In modern times, large areas have been under siege from crime, social disadvantage and economic deprivation. It’s not in our nature to accept defeat. This project is about burning the white flag of surrender and raising a new flag to celebrate the flight, song, dance and colour that will ‘lift the siege’— allowing our citizens to emerge brighter, happier, more confident, proud of our people and place and, though set on the edge of Europe, firmly rooted in the Europe of the new. This multi-year capacity-building project for Limerick communities will culminate in a massive City-wide performance that will emerge over four years from the work of drama groups, men’s sheds, women’s groups, youth groups, migrant groups, knitting groups, youth justice programmes and people living in Direct Provision with the help of a large cohort of volunteers. The spectacle is being devised in partnership with European partner, Walk the Plank, and local aerial creation company, Fidget Feet, recent recipients of Creative Europe funding as part of this project. Both companies work in an authentic, ground-up process of community engagement from formulating the artistic concept, to training and developing sustainable skills in participants. The process of community engagement began in March 2016 when Walk the Plank and Fidget Feet visited community groups in Moyross, one of Limerick’s large areas of social and economic disadvantage currently undergoing regeneration. Following this, The Misfits drama group from the area travelled to Manchester to see the work of Walk the Plank, both behind the scenes and on the streets for the Manchester Parade. The learning from this visit is one of the many cornerstones of the community engagement process. The parade will begin in Moyross and the significance of starting here and progressing through Limerick is to symbolise the outward spread of the positive change brought through culture. The grand spectacle will move to the City Centre for a finale of celebration and spirit enjoyed by a huge audience. Limerick 2020, along with the project partners, aims to instill a passion for Limerick in our citizens, a regard for its beauty and a belief in ourselves. With Lifting the Siege, we will make an experience for the collective memory, by our citizens, for our citizens.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Opening Ceremony River of Light Flagship European/International Festival Visualia (HR)
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Illuminating the City’s potential and igniting its imagination, literally and figuratively, this stunning opening event for Limerick 2020 will animate the River Shannon using large-scale light show—harnessing the direct action and interaction of thousands of participants, present and abroad. Technologically advanced yet beautifully symbolic, this act will be reflective of what European Capital of Culture means to the Limerick Region as it gathers its people together to embark upon an expedition of creativity in 2020. For the ceremony, a narrative will be created on the river using up to 10,000 large LED balls with changing images. These globes will be lit by the actions of 1,000 people who will pull them to the surface to reveal their message about Home, Quest and Interface, our message of Belonging to Europe on this momentous occasion. Live feeds, Skype and telematic technology will be used to invite global engagement so that Limerick’s Diaspora and our European neighbours can join us on this momentous occasion. Legacies will include a three-day festival incorporating installations from the opening ceremony as well as outdoor and indoor installations by artists from all over the world. These will highlight our rich architectural heritage, shed light on derelict and ‘no go’ areas and reveal little-used historical sites on water and land. Another legacy will be the construction of a permanent light installation on pedestrianised Cruises Street where a transparent roof will change colour in the rain and, along with sound elements, provide an immersive, multisensory space that will brighten up the city on the greyest day. Like the largest wishing well ever known, River of Light will express Limerick’s heartfelt hopes for ECOC 2020.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
The Hidden Path Event European/International Wroclaw 2016 (PL) Matera 2019 (IT) Leeuwarden 2018 (NL) Oerol Festival (NL) European Ramblers Association Eurorando (CZ/EU) Waymarkers (NI/IE) The Walking Institute (UK)
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
The Hidden Path is a year-long, artist-led cultural discovery and walking programme, encouraging people to explore the wild and mystical landscape of the Shannon Region. Reflecting on the nature of landscape, public space and the journey, the destination is secondary. There will be a distinct possibility of getting lost, to find new perspectives and to join in a search for places, narratives and voices hidden away in liminal spaces. The project will be curated as a series of residencies, gatherings and trips where taking part will enable ideas, thoughts and a communal experience to emerge and find value. Artists, environmentalists, ecosophists, walking groups and community leaders will all play a part in finding and navigating The Hidden Path while guiding the audience toward a home within or without.
Local/National ACADEmy MA SPACE Askeaton Contemporary Arts Hearsay Festival The Great Southern Trail Fรกilte Ireland Ballyhoura Development
Event European/International COAL (Coalition for art and sustainable development) (FR) Creative Carbon Scotland (UK) Rijeka 2020 - Sweet & Salt project (HR) Local/National Centre for Environmental Research Interaction Design Centre University of Limerick EPA - Environmental Protection Agency DMARC
Liquid Maps Liquid Maps is a series of large-scale, multidisciplinary artistic commissions that use real-time meteorological data to reflect how the weather and the environment impacts on our lives. The Irish are fascinated by the weather, it defines the passage of each day and few conversations proceed without it being mentioned. However at a time when Ireland (like many other countries) is experiencing increasingly extreme weather directly linked to climate change, the conversation has become much more serious. The weather is one of the most universal of experiences and yet how often does our concern for it go beyond how it directly affects us, be it sunburn or flooding? Liquid Maps will inspire people to make connections with distant environments through indoor and outdoor visual and aural works such as digital projection, telepresence, physical movement and sonification. The artistic material will draw from distinct locales including monitoring stations at land, ocean and river locations. The project will involve residencies and interaction with scientists, city planners and environmentalists as well as working with international research centres and groups promoting the integration of art and science. Liquid Maps will help audiences grasp the nuances, patterns and changes of ecological systems and develop a collective appreciation of the delicacy and power of the profoundly serious issues that confront us.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Little Histories
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Little Histories is an evocative set of outdoor audio installations broadcasting recordings of an assortment of local citizens in varied locations—creating unique gateways to memory all over Limerick. Giving voice to members of the community, the project will document
Event
recollections of the City that may otherwise be lost or forgotten. These
European/International The Museum of Forgetting (SE) Institute for Research on Migration Ethnicity and Society (SE)
contributions will be gathered through communal interaction and sharing, led by movement and sound artists. They will span several groups including
Local/National Nocas McGarry House
specially designed to entice passers-by to pause and (re) discover the City
clients of Novas McGarry House—Ireland’s first low-threshold emergency facility. Each set of recordings will be presented in striking yet discrete listening posts, through personal reflections. These beacons will be commissioned via an open call for European sculptors and outdoor installation artists. Ireland has a proud tradition of storytelling; that is how we make sense of our world. Little Histories can create a legacy of publicly accessible oral and aural texts about Limerick.
Large Event European/International North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, Plymouth Culture (UK) Local/National Irish World Academy of Music and Dance / EVA International
The Atlantic Fringe Connection The Atlantic Fringe Connection will connect with cities on both sides of the Atlantic in partnership and celebration through traditional music, art, theatre and the Creative Industries. We will work with Plymouth Culture on a series of cutting edge co-commissions, with Ferrol, Spain, in terms of the social context of our industrial heritage. In a more celebratory manner, we seek to host The North Atlantic Fiddle Convention to connect with the Atlantic fringe both in Europe and North America. NAFC celebrates the rich fiddle and dance traditions of the Atlantic fringe, their common characteristics and shared cultural heritage.
Hyperplace Small Event European/International CRISAP (Creative Research into Sound Arts Practice) (UK) Unit for Sound Practice Research, Goldsmiths University (UK) Company New Heroes (NL) World Forum for Acoustic Ecology Local/National Mary Immaculate College IDC HearSay Irish World Academy of Music and Dance Limerick Soundscapes (Irish World Academy and Limerick Institute of Technology)
Hyperplace is a series of specially commissioned audio-visual material brought together in a mobile device software application, which is triggered by proximity to specific locations and in this way, enables a simultaneous blending of the physical and virtual worlds. Using location-aware networks and highly accurate beacons, the app knows where users are and unlocks a framework of narratives like sound walks, spoken memories or imagery as people move through Limerick. It allows people to dynamically explore the historical, cultural and physical landscape in an easy, accessible way. This project builds directly on the ideas of Yi-Fu Tuan and Edward Relph in which the importance of place, home and roots are understood as vital human needs that shape our cultural identity. Hyperplace will offer audiences a new virtual layer of engagement through which the city can be understood and interrogated.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Limerick Sings!
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Building on the local and global tradition of choral singing, the annual Limerick Sings Festival will be developed in the run-up to 2020 to become more in tune with Europe through an expanded continental focus for more collaboration and inclusion.
Flagship
Established in 2013, Limerick Sings attracts choirs of all traditions and
European/International Europa Cantat: European Choral Association (EU)
nationalities for a long weekend of non-competitive singing in venues
Local/National University of Limerick University Concert Hall
For Limerick 2020, there are plans to introduce a number of new components
throughout the City and Region.
to the festival. A new Limerick 2020 Youth Choir will be founded with members from each of the 28 member countries of the EU. Through partnership with National and European organisations, organisers will connect with choirs throughout Europe over five to six days, for the purpose of workshops, rehearsals and a final gala concert. Other initiatives include recruiting renowned choral directors and professional choirs to take part. From 2017, there will be a ‘Big Sings’ element. In 2020 this event of gravitas will host a Limerick 2020 Proms in the local stadium, Thomond Park and with choirs from throughout the region. The RTÉ Concert Orchestra, led by international choral expert(s), will accompany a 2,000-3,000 strong chorus for a programme including well-known European songs from a purposely-designed, Limerick Sings 2020 Songbook. From 2017, a new Choral Trail will be developed, with participating choirs singing in public places throughout the City and Region.
Bands Beyond Borders Large Event Local/National Limerick International Band Championships Irish Marching Band Association
Bands Beyond Borders is the Military Tattoo’s tear-away progeny. Passionate about music and highly trained, but rebellious and unruly. It occupies the virtual, public and aural space seeking to explore, experiment and innovate cultivating an atmosphere of creative collaboration by engaging continuously in a global dialogue and cultural exchange. Founded upon Limerick’s own heritage of marching bands the programme it is inspired by their origin in the ancient world, and looks to those musical forefathers, the travelling musicians, unconstrained by geographical borders and brought together in a spirit of creativity and celebration. Combining this with the band music scene’s ability to affirm belonging through a common experience, the programme extends this outwardly in a unifying spirit of experimentation and musical exploration. Band Beyond Borders will take the form of a three-year development programme building towards an international event in Limerick celebrating the 50th anniversary of the International Band Parade. The programme will incorporate a multifaceted approach to musical engagement and experience. A series of participative path-ways, some spanning three years, others three minutes, will invest in the long-term musical development of the City Region whilst using music as a medium for deeper cultural exploration and nderstanding.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Beuys Today: The Ends of the Earth Large Event European/International Tate Galleries (UK) Prof. Dr. Christa-Maria Lerm Hayes (NL) The Goethe Institute (EU) Labin Industrial Art Biennal (HR) Local/National Limerick School of Art & Design Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA)
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
In this retrospective project, the social sculptures of Joseph Beuys will be the subject of a major re-staging and re-imagining by local and international artists. Beuys—a renowned German sculptor, draughtsman, creator of actionperformances, political leader and teacher—had a deep connection with Ireland and an unusual link to Limerick. He was fascinated by Celtic tradition, landscape and mythology. Believing in the potential of art to transform society, he viewed Ireland as a location where art could bring about social integration. In 1974, he came to Limerick to deliver a lecture, which was attended by two nuns and a man who had arrived to the wrong place. “Why have you dragged me off to the ends of the earth?” he remarked to curator Caroline Tisdall, who had invited him. Beuys continues to have a remarkable influence on the arts, even in the very “ends of the earth”. Without him, we might not have the postgraduate programme in Social Practice And The Creative Environment in Limerick, or EVA International or the vibrant art scene in Limerick. Where better than Limerick to pay homage to him? If only to make up for a slight of the past! We plan to bring some of his original artworks together for the exhibition from museums and private collections and have begun this process. The project will establish new European partnerships and will be co-curated and co-produced in collaboration with European collections, institutions and individuals with expertise in the influence and legacy of Beuys’ oeuvre on contemporary art worldwide.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
The World Recipe Exchange Event European/International Migration Lab (NL) Freek Jansens / The Urban Food Experience / University of Amsterdam (NL) Europeana Collections Local/National Doras Luimní / Salon du Chat / School of Architecture UL / FabLab Limerick / Northside Family Resource Centre / Central Buildings / The Urban Co-Op
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Serving up a feast of tastes and experiences with a large sprinkling of solidarity, the World Recipe Exchange is an extensive programme of food events celebrating the diverse local and migrant culinary traditions of Limerick. The multicultural menu will include pop-up restaurant events, ‘invite your neighbour’ dinners, tours of ethnic food stores, workshops run by migrants and locals,research on food policy and an annual food festival. This project was partly inspired by the needs and ideas expressed by migrant communities during our outreach consultation meetings, which no doubt echo those of ‘New Europeans’ settling across the continent. While eating and celebrating are great ways to bring people together, develop friendships and build intercultural awareness, food is a significant aspect of belonging and feeling at home. This project can bring about tangible change by empowering migrant communities. A core ingredient is addressing the rights of new communities, particularly asylum seekers residing in direct provision, to cultivate and celebrate their own food culture. As every good dinner, this will be accompanied by lively conversations facilitated by Migrationlab and Salon du Chat. The World Recipe Exchange is cooking up something big in 2020; come and share our table!
Brave Sister
TLC Feast
Brave Sister is a festival of diversity, which will demystify and
This is a community meal on a mass scale, where over 10,000
celebrate the traditions of different peoples and ethnicities
volunteers from communities and parishes of Limerick who have
through performances, discussions and workshops.
taken part in Team Limerick Clean Up (TLC), an annual event of extraordinary civic pride, will sit down to share food, stories, time
Inspired by the Brave Festival in Wrocław, this event will bring
and space.
people together to share and celebrate the diverse cultural heritage through music, song and dance. Like the rest of
TLC is an annual major clean-up initiative, funded by the
Europe, Limerick is made up of a multiplicity of ethnicities
Benevolent Fund of JP McManus. It takes place each year on
and cultures. Some have been here for centuries, others are
Good Friday across Limerick City and County. In 2016, only the
more recent, but all carry with them their unique histories,
second year of the event, 10,040 people of all ages collected 100
routines and rituals. These traditions make us who we are
tonnes of litter. The TLC Feast will be formed in response to the
and being able to maintain them allows us to feel ‘at home’
extraordinary sense of community positivity that is engendered
with ourselves wherever we are. Brave Sister will provide a
by this volunteer effort. Following the mammoth clean-up in 2020,
platform for the local groups and guests from all over Europe
thousands will feast together. There will be an outreach element
to come together in a search for cultural belonging. Culture is
where communities must demonstrate how they intend to include
the place were we meet and celebrate diversity. This festival
cross sections of nationalities that make up their neighbourhood.
will foster an openness to find common grounds, embrace
Emphasis will be placed on the rich food-producing tradition in
the things that make us different and celebrate
Limerick and introducing people to foods they may not ordinarily
our multiplicity.
eat. TLC Feast is about pride of place and literally and figuratively
Event
making space at one’s table for new friends.
European/International SEE Heritage Network (HR) (RS) (MK) (ME) / Brave Festival (PL) / European Music Council / Cultural Heritage without Borders (SE)
Large Event
Local/National Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (Limerick), Doras Luimní (Limerick) / Polish Arts Festival (Limerick) / Slavic Inspirations Kupala Night / Dance Limerick
Local/National JP McManus Benevolent Fund / Team Limerick Cleanup (TLC) / Food Strategy for Limerick 2016-2018 / The Urban Co-Op / Street Feast, www.streetfeast.ie / Limerick City and County Council / Limerick Tidy Towns / An Tasice
European/International Clean Europe Network / L-Ikla t-Tajba (MT) / The Maltese/Frisian potato dinner (NL)
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Fabulous Tales from Far Off Lands Event European/International Topipittori (IT) Babelmatrix (HU) Rijeka Library (HR) IBBY - International Board on Books for Young People (EU) Mostra Internazionale d’Illustrazione per I’infanzia (IT)
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Fabulous Tales celebrates and investigates the pleasure that illustrated books and comics bring to both children and adults across Europe. From a very early age, we are exposed to stories and images that help us construct reality and fantasy alike. From Franco/Belgian comics to the unique illustration styles of German, Danish and Swedish children’s books, the language of the image has accompanied storytelling in rich and resonant ways. The project aims to bring together the diversity of European illustrated literature, presenting its powerful messages with the clarity and simplicity of image and story. Fabulous Tales from Far Off Lands is particularly relevant given that Limerick City has low literacy levels and it will generate opportunities for people of all ages to engage in positive literacy experiences and interact with European literature in a stimulating way. Authors, illustrators and theorists from all over Europe will be invited to take part and events will be scattered across Limerick. Artists (in conjunction with citizens)
Local/National UL – School of Modern Languages, Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival Bualadh Bos, Children's Festival, Lime Tree Theatre, MIC – Dept. of German Studies
Event European/International C&T Theatre (UK) Osterreichischer Bundesverband für ausserberufliches Theater (AT) Bund Deutscher Amateurtheater e.v. (DE) Pufferfish Kunstverein (AT) EUCLID (UK) Local/National CATS (Contemporary Arts and Theatre Studies) Mary Immaculate College Doras Luimní Home School Community Liaison Teachers
will devise and install impressive outdoor murals on the theme of childhood. Fabulous Tales will be a central focus of the Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival, a new annual festival which includes magical performances, raucous book readings, interactive workshops and a host of activities for enquiring minds.
Tell Me a Story This multi-year project will gather stories of transition from migrants to Limerick, which will then be disseminated in oral, dramatic and digital formats. Tell Me a Story will bring to light and stage powerful, previously unheard accounts of journeys, lands left behind, new beginnings and efforts to fit in. The participants will collect, transcribe, curate, edit and finally, present the fictionalised and layered experiences of multiple generations of people from other nationalities who have made Limerick their home. Primary schools in the City and County will be asked to host a performance each year. Through the use of digital technology, the process will engage with a group of European partners such as C&T that are doing similar work, and will collaborate through a practice and research network. From 2017 to 2020, this project will expand its working relationships, archive and artistic outputs. In 2020, there will be a five day Festival of Belonging with the involvement of local and European partners and the sharing of dramatic, oral and digital stories on stage and online. Beyond 2020, it is planned to create a legacy by continuing the project with other minority groups in the City.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Take 5 Capacity Building European/International More or Less Theater (MT) Laughing Matters (MT) Reteteatre (IT) Company New Heroes (NL) Creative Laboratory of Contemporary Theatre (HR) Local/National Authors Kevin Barry and Donal Ryan (award-winning writers both from Limerick) Karen Fitzgibbon (Community Theatre Practitioner) Northside Family Resource Centre St. Saviours Drama Group Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board Watch House Cross Golden Girls Southill Drama Group Traveller Health Advocacy Programme Red Tech Drama group Moyross Community Drama
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Take 5 is a capacity-building theatre project involving 5 Communities, 4 Writers, 3 Years and 2 Teachers, all coming together to create 1 Show. Within Limerick, crossover between some communities is hard to achieve because the close geographical distance is trumped by divergent backgrounds and points of view. This project will bridge these gaps to nurture meaningful collaboration across communities, empower citizens to take ownership of culture and use theatre as a tool for change. The five community drama groups—drawn from areas of social and economic disadvantage in Limerick City—will devise and perform a show in their own neighbourhoods. The participants will be primarily older adult learners, who have returned to education. In each of the three years leading up to 2020, well-known writers will each work with a group in creating a piece of work that will capture the individual spirit of their community but also discover the common threads that connect them. Professional theatre practitioners will develop other aspects of the show while facilitators will guide the groups. In 2020, the grand finale of Take 5 will tour some very special venues—bringing culture to communities on their own terms without putting the onus on them to seek it out.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Quest
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
The Wedding
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Confetti and champagne corks will rain over Limerick for this four-year collaborative theatre project - the most remarkable wedding celebration ever seen and a truly European union, with guests from all 28 EU countries. Few events in a human life are more joyous and yet more fractured than
Flagship
weddings. Couples, families and friends come together but also fall apart.
European/International Nu: Write, Zagreb (HR) International Festival of Alternative and New Theatre Novi Sad (RS) GLAS (CH) Divadlo na Zábradlí (CZ) Creative Laboratory of Contemporary Theatre (HR) Jukka-Pekka Pajunen, Literary Consultant Translator (FI) Lókal - International Theater Festival, (Ragnheiður Skúladóttir) (IS) Rakastajat Theatre Company (FI)
What occasion lends itself better to sharing and inclusiveness but also to
Local/National Belltable Arts Hub Lime Tree Theatre
and unpredictability will reignite a childhood sense of adventure. Each year,
tensions and rifts? A Wedding! The Wedding will include something old (the Viking city of Limerick), something new (a novel concept), something borrowed (participants from Europe) and naturally, the something blue will be the EU flag in this unique carnival of belonging. The Belltable Arts Hub and the Lime Tree Theatre will produce this mammoth project, which will unfold from 2017 to 2020. Each year, the ‘milestone moment’ theatrical event will take place in a different location as the lines between space, performer and audience are blurred. Roaming audiences will enjoy epic storytelling inside installed sensory environments. The anticipation a troupe from different EU countries will play out the story. The Meeting (2017): Our couple, Aoife from Limerick and Mateusz from Wroclaw, meet holidaying in Kilkee, Co. Clare. The beach and Main Street of this seaside town become the set. Each participating country will create its own theatrical world. The Proposal (2018): Taking place in Thomond Park Stadium, Mateusz proposes to Aoife at a rugby match, on the big screen. The Engagement Party (2019): King John’s Castle and the local area known as the Island, will play host to a raucous engagement party. Actors and audiences will chat and move about as key plotlines are developed through personal vignettes. The Wedding (2020): All 28 EU countries will put on their best clothes and convene in the Georgian Quarter of Limerick City where a wedding celebration will literally stop traffic. Everyone will eat, drink and be merry—marking the couple’s future together. Spin-Off Events: Limerick people are incredibly hospitable so there will be an open call for local people to welcome international performers into their homes. The first Limerick International Theatre Summit will be held in 2018 and again 2020. This summit will give all international theatre troupes the opportunity to establish lasting relations through talks, workshops, demonstrations, presentations and meet-and-greet sessions with practitioners and high-calibre professionals.
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Event European/International Loch Ness Centre (UK) Riejka 2020 (HR) Eleusis 2021 (GR) Mark Dion (US) River // Cities Platform (PL) Local/National The Hunt Museum Lough Gur Storytelling Festival Limerick Marine Search and Rescue Limerick Civic Trust Limerick City Build The Ilen Boat Project FabLab Limerick
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
The Museum of Mythological Water Beasts Whimsy, wonder and imagination are gathered together in this 18-month intergenerational and interdisciplinary project, involving a cluster of activities for citizens of all ages and abilities. Expert monster-hunters will been enlisted to comb the River Shannon for suspicious objects in the search for Europe’s mythological water beasts. The quest will take brave participants to six remote monastic islands in the estuary at dawn and dusk when sightings are more frequent and can be monitored by European counterparts via Beast-cams at each island. The monks who were once the keepers of the beasts disappeared suddenly at the start of the last century and the islands have remained deserted ever since. Led by local fishermen, amateur historians and seanchaí (Irish story tellers) whose special knowledge of the river will help the hunters track the best hiding places. The collected clues and treasures will be displayed in a waterfront unit on the River Shannon to lure the elusive beasts into the city in the hope of reclaiming their lost belongings. This innovative project was devised to allow citizens to make physical, emotional and active connections with the river. The river is a commonage belonging to all citizens and yet they sometimes feel distant from it. The Museum aims to generate excitement and activity around the river. It will include river-path walks, boat trips and storytelling in Limerick. There will be exchange trips with staff from the Loch Ness Centre in Scotland—which has reports of sea serpent sightings at Limerick Harbour during the Irish Civil War. There will be a series of commissions by international artists in multiple disciplines to produce permanent, temporary and transient artworks in and along the river. During Riverfest 2020, The Museum of Mythological Water Beasts will be opened to the public in a waterfront unit complete with found-object displays, artist commissions, project documentaries, Beast-cam live-streams and an immersive virtual tour of both the River Shannon and Loch Ness. It will also provide a base for a popular initiative during the Outreach Programme, the River Substation - a social space for people to meet and engage with the river, its ecology and heritage. Europe has many riverside cities like Limerick so The Museum of Mythological Water Beasts will join the River // Cities Platform to learn from and to share expertise in creative action and programming on rivers in Europe. In 2020, the River Shannon will come alive again and not just with mythological beasts. We will rediscover the river’s true cultural significance to Limerick.
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Sonic Union
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
This week-long festival celebrates the dramatic creatives urge in the composition and performance of contemporary classical music, sonic art and radio art. The new generation of composers and artists finds itself in a European landscape of humanitarian questions and environmental changes, a place that has seen a
Flagship
massive expansion in its geographic and aesthetic embrace. Now more than
European/International Ars Acoustica (EU) Deutschlandradio Kultur (DE) France Cultur - Radio France (FR) Klangforum Wien (AT) International Rostrum of Composers (EU) International Music Council UNESCO
ever, a new music is required to acknowledge and reflect the recent past, while
Local/National Irish Chamber Orchestra RTE Lyric FM CMC
partnerships with significant European artists, programmers and radio networks,
also looking forward. Throughout the continent composers and artists are rising to this challenge, merging tradition and technology, to establish a new sonic terrain. Sonic Union will focus on real-time interaction, the rise in digital technology and engagement with contemporary themes from race to gender, environment to identity. Featuring it embraces the remarkable, ambitious work being produced in Europe today. The festival will facilitate the presentation and commissioning of existing and new work at the cutting edge of European sonic and musical practice. It brings an opportunity to showcase Limerick’s exceptional assets, such as the University Concert Hall—Ireland’s first purpose-built concert hall— and the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance. Additionally, Limerick’s RTÉ Lyric FM, the national radio station dedicated to music and culture, will take the lead in broadcasting and streaming many of these events in collaboration with a strong network of European broadcast partners and the International Rostrum of Composers. For one week, Limerick will be the heart of contemporary music in Europe.
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Event European/International L’Embobineuse (FR) Tongue Fu (UK) Lodz (PL) Valetta 2018 (MT) San Sebastián 2016 (ES) Local/National Music Generation Limerick City Limerick Youth Service Rusangano Family
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
The Hip Hop Connection This partnership between hip-hop artists in Limerick and their peers in Marseille will involve exchange visits, joint gigs and creative collaboration to establish a body of work that twins the Gaelic and the Gallic. Marseille is at the centre of the French hip-hop scene, which is second only to the US in the size of its hip-hop market. Influenced by Marseille’s large African and Caribbean communities, the artform developed in the banlieues, city suburbs with high concentrations of social deprivation. Limerick also has a vibrant hip-hop scene that is garnering national and international attention. Its roots are in the city’s ‘banlieue’ equivalents and it has become the lingua Franca of Limerick’s youth. In early 2016, a hip-hop group in Marseille contacted Music Generation Limerick City, resulting in a shared desire to establish a connection between the scenes. Music Generation has gained regional and national respect for its work with young rappers and songwriters. The Hip-Hop Connection will explore the cultural contexts and social fabric of each City, with a focus on themes of immigration and integration.
Roots and Tendrils Event European/International Onra (FR) Brian Cross (US) Akala (UK) Clap Clap (IT) Hauschka (DE) Gogo Penguin (UK) Local/National Lynched (Dublin)
To be held every year from 2017-2020, Roots and Tendrils is a quarterly music festival where 12 European acts from 12 Cities drawn from varied genres will perform in Limerick venues as well as taking part in activities like recording, collaborations, workshops and discussions. From Paris to Berlin, Brussels to Florence, we will reach out to Europe. Each act will present a scene (roots) that has developed in their own city. Whether it be hip hop or house, reggae or classical, the genres will be tied together with the narrative of each act telling the story of how their sound was shaped. Each act will perform in accessible and inviting indoor and outdoor venues through out the City. Discussions and workshops will be held based on the idea of ‘belonging’ to a City but also how interacting with people in other countries plays a role in forming new music styles and movements, thus growing ‘tendrils’ to the work. All recordings—speech, sounds or performances—will be archived and made available online. The public will be encouraged to reinterpret, edit and remix these. In keeping with growing tendrils, each artist will take part in a short local recording project; the material will be a ‘stem’ that local music producers can rework or integrate into their own productions allowing cross-cultural participation and collaboration to take place.
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Event European/International Wicked:16 (UK) British Film Institute (UK) Croatian Film Association (HR) Cultural Center GornjiMilanovac (RS) Enimation (SI) Local/National Fresh Film Festival
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Global Young Filmmakers Longest Day This annual transnational event over two days will support young filmmakers around Europe through co-ordinated screenings workshops, both online in physical venues. Digital DIY filmmakers use the moving image to share their views, opinions and stories. Limerick has a strong heritage in the area of encouraging the work of young filmmakers through its Fresh Film Festival (est. 1997). Beginning in 2016 and building up over four years, The Youth Cinema Network (YCN), an informal collective of youth film festivals across Europe and further afield, will work with Limerick 2020. The agreed 'days' of the year will include screenings, the European Youth Cinema Awards, showcasing work and talent, engaging with local professional filmmakers to deliver talks and workshops in each country and encouraging young people to make a film or contribute content to a larger film. Global Young Filmmakers Day will make a big impact on young creative talents nurturing skills, passions and careers.
Capacity Building European/International Kalamata: 21 (GR) Matera 2019 (IT) Rijeka 2020 (HR) Mlade Rime Festival (SI) Norwegian Festival of Literature (NO) Local/National Stanzas writer’s group, Limerick
New Mythologies of Europe This multi-year project, framed around a narrative of a new mythology, will link Limerick’s young emerging writers and artists with experienced professionals in Europe to develop an anthology of new mythologies. Even in the age of the Internet, where Tim Berners-Lee is ‘the Creator’ and tech giants are icons, modern storytelling emulates these epic tales like the “Hero’s Journey” or the “Fall from Grace”. In the chronicles we construct, it is key to transfer knowledge, culture and ideas from an intergenerational and international base. Five Scandinavian writers will be invited to Limerick to hold workshops, seminars, and guest-read. Each will be paired up with a Limerick writer and they will work together to create new folklore. This process will be repeated with five ‘Roman’ writers, five ‘Celtic’, five ‘Greek’ and with five writers from anywhere in Europe with a theme of ‘The Internet’. Secondary outcomes are events, lectures, and readings by world-class European literary figures in Limerick. The collected writings will be held in our very own Pandora’s Box, an Anthology of New Mythologies of Europe, ready to be unleashed.
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EVA 2020: The Art of Belonging Flagship
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
EVA International is a 12-week, City-wide contemporary art exhibition, which will explore and interrogate the theme The Art of Belonging in 2020, through ground-breaking art and public engagement. EVA stands for Exhibition of Visual Art and it is the Biennial of Ireland. In 2020, EVA will realise its ambition to become an important European Biennial. In 2020 the exhibition will take place in a variety of formal and informal spaces including Limerick City Gallery of Art and Cleeves with satellite events around
European/International Institut Francais (FR) Swiss Arts Council (CH) Mondrian Fund (NL) Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen Stuttgart (DE) International Biennial Foundation Kaunas Biennale (LT) Plymouth Culture (UK) Ambassade de France en Irlande Labin Industrial Art Biennial (HR)
Europe. Tackling a subject both central to our theme and to Europe, The Art of
Local/National The Arts Council Culture Ireland Fáilte Ireland Tourism Ireland Limerick City Gallery of Art The Hunt Museum Limerick Arts Office
The goal is to grow the audience from 75,000 in 2014 to 200,000 in 2020,
Event European/International TheatrClwyd (UK) Dundee Rep (UK) International Festival of Alternative and New Theatre Novi Sad (RS) Irish Festival of Oulu (FI) Viterbo Festival (IT) GLAS (CH) Local/National Belltable Arts Hub Limerick and Fishamble The New Play Company
Belonging will hack at the very root of what it means to belong to Europe, belong in Europe and simply belong. Founded in 1977 and becoming a Biennial in 2012, even as a modest undertaking in a small-scale city, EVA International has become the elder statesman of Ireland’s contemporary art scene. EVA 2016 attracted 5,000 applications by artists from over 90 countries. attracting a wider European audience and expand further over the next decade to create a lasting legacy. Its outreach and participation elements will connect this endeavour with community groups and young people in the City and the region.
Tiny Plays for Europe Ultra-concise theatre pieces capturing the challenges and joys of contemporary life will be solicited from Limerick, and four other European Cities, and performed over a six-week period in multiple locations. Tiny Plays for Europe will celebrate multiplicity by melding together plays of just 600 words (four minutes) that touch on different aspects of life, culture and relationships in Limerick and in similar Cities. They may be tiny plays but they will explore huge issues and the universal dilemmas we face in a modern Europe. It brings an exciting new twist on the hugely successful Tiny Plays for Ireland (which attracted 1,700 submissions) by Fishamble: The New Play Company. The project will not only produce a compendium of new European writing but transform it into a two-hour stage production. The cast will rehearse their plays in each City, coming together for a two-week run in Limerick in 2020, before touring the other four countries. The plays will be performed in their original languages and live-streamed from the theatre online and screens set up in public spaces. Tiny Plays for Ireland unleashed huge creativity and facilitated public participation in a vigorous way. Our great hope is that Tiny Plays for Europe is embraced with the same spirit but multiplied in scale and depth of insight.
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Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
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Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Interface
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SPÁS Ludic Interfaces Large Event European/International Departament Gier (PL) Matheson Marcault (UK) Open Space – Matera (IT) We like to make and do (UK) AMAZE.de (DE) Playful Commons Sebastian Quack (DE) Copenhagen Game Collective (DK) Placc Festival (HU) Michael Streubig (UK) Artists Naomi Alderman (Dramaturge Zombies Run) Darren Henderson (Manifesto Writer) Local/National Limerick City and County Council
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
SPÁS is a specially commissioned, immersive reality game that will take place over a year in public spaces, transforming the City of Limerick into a dynamic interface for play. Blurring the lines between physical and virtual, fiction and reality, this ambitious project takes participation out of the digitally-constructed world of a computer and instead, the players will navigate the spaces and complexities of every day life. SPÁS (Irish for 'space') will expose the multiplicity of Limerick. Limerick will become both the setting and the material of discovery in 12 new site-specific installations (corresponding to a level or chapter of the game) which will each use a different technology to interface locally and online. Throughout 2020, this pervasive game will surround the audience in the very fabric of their narratives and allow them to interact with the City in ways never seen before. SPÁS celebrates the age-old tradition of games while looking forward to new modes of digital collaboration. The game embraces community and takes place at the intersection of city, technology and social media and the performing arts. Drawing on game design and artist communities in Europe, SPÁS will create a new body of work that is thematically and spatially linked for the first time. The creative team—including game designers, creative artists and authors working in areas like urban design, architecture and gaming— will work for over two years to build the game. It will also facilitate the cross-border exploration of issues that affect many European Cities, and are typified by Limerick like shrinkage, planning and cultural output in a digital age. The project will present a unique opportunity to explore the interaction of new technology and the impact on various communities, inspiring new approaches to technology of scale in Cities. It will show the vast potential for groups to make connections and communicate through online and offline channels. Players, young and old, will be encouraged to see technological interfaces as active participants rather than passive spectators or consumers. This work could bring Limerick to Europe both via the internet and physically in touring form. Through shared activity in specific places, SPÁS will open Limerick up in new and surprising ways. All you have to do is press play.
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The Travelling Alphabet Event European/International Dear You network of 33 schools in 17 countries: Vienna (AT) / Antwerp (BE) / Ontario (CA) / Prague (CZ) Hinnerup and Odder (DK) / Põlvamaa and Mooste (EE) / Espoo, Helsinki and Vantaa (FI) / Berlin (DE) / Nuuk (GL) / Mysore (IN) Karelia (RU) / Western Cape (ZA) / Taipei (TW) / Istanbul (TU) / Nottingham (UK) / Philadelphia and Heath (US) / Hanoi (VM) Local/National Piquant Media Limerick Printmakers Harmony Russian School Limerick Polish School Limerick Limerick Latvian Activity Centre
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
The Travelling Alphabet is a mail-based educational outreach project which is similar to having pen friends but instead involves posting artwork—including prints made using letter blocks hand-crafted in Limerick—around the world to foster a better understanding of other cultures and to create new friendships. The alphabet is universal yet different in each language—echoing the commonality and unique traits across the experiences and personalities of children. This project will connect children in various countries through creativity, reading, writing, and sharing art and culture. The Travelling Alphabet is partnered with mail-art project, Dear You (FI), which brings new art techniques and much more from around Europe into the classroom. The Dear You network currently connects children from 33 schools in 17 countries through artistic projects and exchanges. In advance of 2020, local schools will join; they will do printmaking workshops using letter blocks. A block print alphabet will be sent to schools in Europe. The blocks will grow and expand with continental travel as children create and send messages. The project is inspired by fun and popular outreach activities involving children while gathering ideas for Limerick 2020. These thoughtful exchanges of The Travelling Alphabet take a progressive approach to learning and encourage everyone involved to open their minds and hearts to others living elsewhere.
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Reading European Minds: Translating to Belong Event European/International Litera / HLO (HU) / ECF, European Cultural Foundation (NL/EU) / Creative Europe Literary Translation
Local/National Ralahine Centre for Utopian Studies / School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
The primary output of Reading European Minds is the publication of a series of literary texts that have been translated into English in a project that focuses on the value of reading literature from other countries and the exchanges of perspectives and ideas that this enables. The English language holds a dominant position in the world of literature, illustrated by the fact that only 3% of books published in the UK and Ireland originate from outside the Anglophone sphere. This deprives many readers of the chance to read culturally diverse works. Over four years, this project will redress the balance somewhat, both in concrete and perceptual ways. The curatorial focus will be on the nature of Cities. A set of key works will be identified that offer insights on cultures and Cities from a range of European vantage points with a focus on those voices that have resonated throughout Europe and yet remain unheard in the English-speaking world. Works will also be chosen from non-English sources for translation into Irish because English inhabits a complex position here as the language of a colonising force. Irish literature in English is profoundly affected by the parallel absence of the Irish language. The project will include a range of specialist events in Limerick including workshops and establishing an international network of literary translators. Reading European Minds will find texts that have been lost to translation and bring them to light and to life for readers.
Foinse/Open Source Life
Culture Wave
Foinse / Open Source Life is a series of gatherings,
Culture Wave 2020 will provide a forum for engagement,
workshops and initiatives that explore the potential of
commentary and exploration via the mediums of radio,
knowledge-sharing and community innovation in the areas
participative programme making, live events, podcasting
of sustainable living, ecology, agriculture and transport.
and web streaming.
Societies with access to knowledge and the ability to implement that knowledge are empowered societies. This project focuses attention on the ideals of local and global knowledge sharing that were pioneered by the digital open source movement. A network of partners will encourage rural and urban communities to embrace methods that enable sustainable living and practical cultural exchanges. This innovation is particularly valuable for the small-scale organic food sector to improve efficiencies using automation systems for gardening or open source farming machinery.
Ireland has a deeply rooted relationship with radio and in recent years the interaction between creative audio disciplines, web streaming and traditional broadcasting has resulted in a renaissance. Now an exciting new space is being created from the interaction between audio features, podcasting, film sound, fiction, sound art & composition. The HearSay International Audio Arts Festival, uniquely located in Limerick’s highest village of Kilfinane, has fostered these interactions, bringing together participants from 25 countries each year. Culture Wave 2020, will become a vital part of the interface connecting Limerick 2020’s activities and communities, European and international audiences. Culture Wave 2020 programming will be extended to villages located through the adjoining counties of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary and into Limerick City. Culture Wave 2020 will be the audio heartbeat of
This multi-year project will show citizens how they can use a range of software and hardware tools as well as new information to address everyday challenges and reap the benefits of building on the experiences of other locations around Europe.
Event European/International Cohabitat Gathering (PL) / Open Source Ecology (US) / Rijeka 2020 (HR) Local/National Cultivate.ie / Cloughjordan EcoVillage / WeCreate (LIT) / Irish Seed Savers / LERO – The Irish Software Research Centre
Limerick 2020.
Event European/International Audible (UK) / Resonance FM (UK) / In the Dark (UK) / Longeur d’ondes (FR) / Sverige Radio (SE) / Radiotopia (USA) / ABC (AU) Local/National HearSay Initiative / RTÉ Radio
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Event European/International Loop Festival (ES) VoArte (PT) C-DaRE, Centre for Dance Research, Coventry (UK) IMZ, International Music + Media Centre (AT) Local/National Light Moves Festival of Screendance Tom Collins Signs Dance Limerick SAUL
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Encounters Encounters is a month-long, large scale film and dance project using art and film to challenge the hegemony of advertising in urban spaces and initiates a new way of re-imagining public visual space in Limerick and Europe. Since the 19th century Cities all over Europe and beyond have become sites of mediated spaces in which the visual languages of billboards, hoardings and more recently, backlit screens, compete for the attention of passers-by. While urban landscapes have become indicators of a city’s dynamism, prosperity and industry, this project aims to hijack them for a short time in 2020. Instead of adverts, these spaces will display visual experiences of movement, form and body—giving the public a temporary respite from the priorities of consumption. Encounters reimagines the city walls and buildings as a canvas for films about movement and the body. These commissions will be developed in collaboration with architects, dance filmmakers and digital art practitioners as part of Light Moves Festival of Screendance. Encounters will return the visual landscape to the citizen through large-scale film and video art works to create interventions that can be playful, poignant and through the language of dance, universal.
Event European/International Computer Science Department, York St. John University (UK) Pixelache (FI) Piksel (DE) Mal au Pixel (FR) Pixelazo (CO) Pixelvärk (SE) Afropixel (SN) Pikslaverk (IS) Cluj Napoca 2021 (RO) Local/National Department of Digital Strategy Limerick City & County Council Digital Media and Arts Research Centre University of Limerick Fablab Limerick
Electric Eel: Technologies of Obstruction Electric Eel, a festival of cutting edge digital sub-cultures, will send out three shockwave-like events in the build up to Limerick 2020—culminating in a dynamic bumper event that brings together all of its multiple strands. Limerick aims to become Ireland’s first ‘Digital City’ and while implementing digital strategy is vital in this, so too is generating fresh ideas and finding novel ways to incorporate the digital into the everyday. Hacking collaborations and wearable electronics are just some things now testing the boundaries between the online domain and the physical world. This festival also straddles the two by tapping into mainstream infrastructure and using revolutionary technologies to provide a platform for new art, music and design. Electric Eel’s yearly editions will include: internet and post-internet art (2017), electronic and tribal music (2018), design (2019) and the first full festival will adopt the theme, technologies of obstruction (2020). Activities will include gatherings, workshops, fashion shows, exhibitions and gigs which will be streamed and recorded to create an online repository of information that we can learn from—in a model for future ECOCs to plan and design better events for visitors and participants.
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Capacity Building European/International East Topics (HU) 42 international artist-led organisations from Aarhus (DK) Tirana (AL) Graz, Vienna (AT) Toronto (CA) Helsinki, Turku, Vaasa (FI) Lyon (FR) Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich (DE) Isfahan/Tehran (IR) Riga (LV) Rotterdam, Haarlem (NL) Oslo Tromso (NO) Pozan (PL) Ljubljana (SI) Cape Town (ZA) Madrid (ES) Ramallah (PS) Falun, Malmö, Norrköping, Skåne, Stockholm, Västerås (SW) Basel (CH) Damascus (SY) Columbus (USA) Bilbao (SP/PV)
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Grand Central: Residency & Exchange Programme Grand Central is a four-year residency and exchange programme involving creative practitioners and local communities of interest that will enable a diverse range of solo and group projects to move across European borders— reflecting a fundamental principle of European integration. From traditional artist-studios and cultural institutions to more unconventional sites such as Ireland’s largest nuclear bunker and local Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), the movement of participants will be both inbound and outbound to and from Limerick. These transitions will generate a network of flows and feedback loops between artists, writers, dancers, makers, thinkers, and creatives in a wide variety of disciplines. To date, Limerick 2020 has connected and partnered with 42 international artist-led organisations and East Topics, a think-tank and platform to promote the artistic activity in 21 countries in Eastern Europe. Year 1: Welcome to the Neighbourhood In a small town in County Limerick, Askeaton Contemporary Arts will launch Grand Central with Welcome to the Neighbourhood. There are no ‘white-cube’ gallery spaces here so artists will work in public spaces throughout the town, creating a rich framework for engagement and subjective encounters. Year 2: East-West Network Limerick 2020 has partnered with East Topics to invite an artist from each of the 21 countries in Eastern Europe to Limerick. The residencies will establish social and discursive events and create experiences through site/situationspecific activities. The result will be an East-West network of European socially-engaged initiatives. Year 3: Thinking Europe Moving through Europe has been a freeing and enriching experience for the great thinkers and creative minds of our time. Most residencies do not offer creative people the opportunity to simply think. Thinking Europe will be populated through an open call in designated and bidding ECOC cities around Europe. Year 4: Influx 2020 The concluding year of Grand Central focuses on artist-led spaces, supporting alternative models to institutional practices and methodologies. A European movement of self-organised initiatives has developed strong networks of co-operation and collaboration through international gatherings and online platforms. Having connected with 42 international artist-led organisations, Influx 2020: Toffee & Tobacco will take place in August 2020 at the Cleeves (Toffee) factory site in Limerick. This event will bring together residents and participants for a large-scale art fair and symposium of sustainable planning for Artist-run Europe. Creatives of Europe: it’s time we got to know each other!
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Capacity Building European/International SEYO, Sistema Europe Big Noise (UK) Sistema Cymru Cod’r (UK) Sistema England (UK) SODO (HR) St. Ultans Teatro Sardegna, Cagliari (IT) Local/National Irish Chamber Orchestra Sing out with Strings University of Limerick Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, Limerick Schools
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Sing out with Strings Sing out with Strings, an outreach initiative of the Irish Chamber Orchestra, will engage in a long-term pilot programme establishing the first non-private and fully inclusive youth orchestra in Ireland—building on the hosting of the prestigious Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra summer camp (SEYO) in 2020. The transformative effect of music performance and classical music is well acknowledged. Sing out with Strings offers children throughout the Limerick Region the opportunity to experience the world of orchestras. It impacts the lives of over 300 children every year, addressing issues of inclusion, equality of access and provision and bringing numerous benefits to children, staff, parents and the wider community. Sing out with Strings was itself inspired by El Sistema, one of the world’s most successful music and social development models. As the first Irish city to host the SEYO summer camp, Limerick will attract hundreds of young musicians and educators from all corners of Europe to take part in concerts, workshops, presentations and interviews. After an intense rehearsal period, the crescendo will be two remarkable public concerts. Sing out with Strings will hold workshops that will result in series performances at schools and cultural centres. Finally, spurred by the energies and impact of SEYO 2020, Sing out with Strings will develop an extraordinary Irish youth orchestra built on the principles of equality and inclusion.
Capacity Building European/International La Briqueterie – Centre de développment choréographique du val-de-marne (FR) Sardegno Teatro (IT) Cagliari (IT) Local/National Dance Limerick School of Applied Social Studies (University College Cork) Dept. of Sociology (University of Limerick)
Identity in Motion Identity in Motion brings together dancers, movement practitioners and choreographers from three European cities to create a series of long-term dance commissions focusing on how cultural identity shapes the nature of movement. The desire to explore the nature of human experience is a significant feature in contemporary dance and questions of politics, social-justice and sexuality are regularly addressed. Dance’s engagement with the body and movement offers perspectives that are unique and important. Bodies are sites of multiplicity; they carry the memories of their journeys and their experiences into each new physical and cultural environment. These languages of movement are complex yet universal. Dance invites people to consider the body, identity and the interplay that occurs when diverse cultures are brought together. Dance Limerick and partners will find new ways of thinking about the nature of movement as an articulation of cultural identity. The works created from this process of rethinking will be shown in concert performance and outdoor interventions. Also, there are plans to publish a book articulating the project’s explorations in both its aesthetic contribution and how these investigations enhance our understanding of the interplay between cultures and the role of movement and the body.
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Large Event European/International Motion House (UK) Local/National Fidget Feet Irish Chamber Orchestra The Lime Tree Theatre
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Hip H'Opera Hip H’Opera is a radical endeavour to create an indoor artistic performance of global stature and epic scale that blends contemporary music, traditional Irish and classical music with an aerial circus, hip-hop dance, rap and opera. Imagine opera singers flying while singing and dancers moving through the air mixing floor choreography with aerial apparatuses. Using a smorgasbord of musical and performance styles, this long-term, multi-disciplinary programme will devise and stage a large-scale production made locally for local presentation—building audiences through cross-art interaction. Aerial dance company, Fidget Feet (FF), will collaborate with the Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) and Limerick’s Lime Tree Theatre under the direction of world-renowned director, Kevin Finnan from UK dance company, Motionhouse. Hip H’Opera will be a modern interpretation of the opera, La Boheme. Establishing a symbiotic relationship, FF will train ICO musicians, professional hip-hop dancers, Irish dancers and opera singers in the basics of its aerial performance. FF’s musical director and two ICO composers will compose a new score comprised of classical music, hip-hop and rap. Hip H'Opera’s ambitious mix of contemporary practices and traditional forms will develop into an exciting new performance piece—designed to impact on and open up the minds and hearts.
Event European/International The World Museum Vienna (AT) The Research Centre for Material Culture (NL) The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (NZ) The Museum of Ridiculously Interesting Things (NZ) Museum Ann De Stroom (BE) Local/National Limerick City Gallery of Art Limerick City Museum and Archives The Hunt Museum Glucksman Special Collections
European Collections: Alien Encounters Artists, curators, historians and citizens will research and explore collections of unusual and unexplained objects in museums around Europe to create travelling displays that excavate common European themes and concerns. European Collections: Alien Encounters celebrates the curiosity of collected physical objects in museums around Europe stimulating questions such as: Do objects belong to a place? Do objects lose or gather meaning when they travel? Do museums integrate objects into new contexts or do they create alien environments and encounters? Our journey will begin with The Limerick Meteorite, which fell to Earth in 1813, and the intriguing stories and adventures that ensued. Our alien researchers will participate in the European SWICH network activities including museums visits and discussions such as Museums, Citizenship and Belonging in a Changing Europe at The Research Center for Material Culture in Leiden. The collections will be explored through a series of inter-disciplinary research trips, discussion groups and workshops. Alien researchers will be involved in the selection of objects to be studied and in sharing their personal narratives and relationships with these objects. European Collections: Alien Encounters endeavours to bring past stories to life and to avoid the loss of knowledge and meaning in our cultural heritage. Together we will develop touring displays and subversive display systems and reflect on the civic responsibilities of collecting and on the cluster of ideas and, of course, interesting objects.
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Event European/International EIB Art Collection (LX) Delphine Munro (FR/LX)โ ฏ
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Gems from the European Investment Bank Art Collection The European Investment Bank (EIB) Art Collection is an extensive and truly European art collection offering a wide spectrum of artistic creation and reflecting the expanding geography of the EU. For the Limerick 2020 Artistic Programme, curator Delphine Munro will curate a thematic exhibition responding to the concept of Belonging reflecting the EIB mission for integration and social cohesion in Europe. The aim of the EIB Art Collection is to offer creative energy, inspiration and even spiritual nourishment; to provide a bridge between different languages, styles and viewpoints; and to act as a catalyst for relational and intellectual development, which underpins economic progress both within and beyond borders. The exhibition will include including internationally acclaimed or even iconic artists such as Janis Kounellis, Anish Kapoor, and Seรกn Scully.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Flagship European/International Royal De Luxe (FR)
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
The Flight of the Wild Geese In 1691, Jacobite military commander, Patrick Sarsfield, led 19,000 Irish citizens to sail to France—marking the first Irish mass migration and integration into Europe and the start of the Irish European Diaspora. In 2020, Royal De Luxe, will commemorate what is known as ‘The Flight of the Wild Geese’ in the inimitable, large-scale style that the French street theatre company is known for worldwide. The ‘wild geese’ made their mark on continental battlefields and cultures alike but their momentous decision to leave for foreign shores and their legacy of creating belonging on their own terms will be celebrated by bringing Europe back to Limerick.
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Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
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Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
Flagship
Closing Ceremony With exciting new beginnings so must there be endings and Limerick 2020’s closing ceremony will give the year a fitting send-off with the same sense of light, hope and belonging as its opening. With the guidance and input of a company such as UK-based, Artichoke, we will devise a rite celebrating the exhilarating Quest undertaken through the build-up to and realisation of the ECOC year. The ceremony will create a “pedestrian playground” in the City for natives and visitors to enjoy together as a united audience of European citizens.
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3.2
How will the events and activities that will constitute the cultural programme
Our programme has been developed with the input of the City’s cultural sector. In identifying the projects, we have utilised a series of questions in order to build a robust, transparent and deliverable Programme. These questions will also be applied to our open call for projects scheduled for 2017.
for the year be chosen? • How strongly does the proposed activity fit the theme of ‘Creating Belonging’ and its associated strands?
• How marketable is the project to target audiences (local, National, European)? • What is its capacity for magic and joy?
• How does the event/activity contribute to the Programme in terms of variety? Our programme must have breadth and depth if it is to appeal to all. • European Dimension: How does it fully leverage the opportunity that 2020 brings, does it address European themes, attract European audiences?
• Sustainability: What is the legacy, what difference will this make to Limerick, its cultural organisations, its artists, its relationships and its audiences? • What is the key value in comparison
to estimated costs.
• How strongly does the proposed activity help us meet the ECOC objectives?
3.3
How will the cultural programme combine local cultural heritage and traditional
In Limerick, we have a strong local
Sometimes it can feel like there is no
In projects such as Little Histories we
cultural heritage of performance,
connection between real and virtual
will fully utilise the potential of digital
storytelling, visual art and music.
worlds. The technological world can seem
technologies to enrich and amplify
These art forms feature significantly
a step removed from the everyday life of
traditional art forms (in this case
in our Programme combining them
our citizens, our audiences and our
storytelling and oral history) without
with an approach to innovation
cultural experiences.
getting in the way of what makes them
art forms with new, innovative and experimental cultural expressions?
and experiment.
so special. We described in the European Dimension
The Wedding, for example, takes
section how technology and particularly
Resonant in Irish mythology, the
tradition, rituals and customs from Ireland
digital technologies are a fundamental
Shannon, Ireland’s largest river, has
and Europe and shapes them into an
part of the way all of us live our lives now
been a key feature in the mythological
innovative large-scale” stop the City”
and yet we need to make a connection
and industrial heritage for centuries.
immersive performative event.
between the opportunities presented
The Museum of Mythological Water
by technology and the way we physically
Beasts will play with the mythological
Atlantic Fringe Connection takes
enjoy culture. This is a key feature of our
dimension of the river and create a
the traditional art of the fiddle and fuses
Programme.
contemporary narrative around the
it into the modern world through stunning
stories about sea serpents and
modern music. Bands Beyond Borders
Projects such as Foinse / Open Source
disappearing monks.
features the progeny of the Military Tattoo,
Life will leverage the opportunities new
again reinvented for the 21st century.
technologies offer in and of themselves to
2018 is the designated EU Year of
foster community, combining gardening,
Cultural Heritage, allowing an
Limerick is developing its strategy as
farming and knitting with the open source
opportunity to celebrate Limerick’s
a digital city and is home to numerous
opportunities of the digital age.
traditional heritage and to look at
digital and tech companies and centres
ways to bring it to new audiences.
of academic research in the field.
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3.4
How has the city involved, or how does it plan to involve, local artists and cultural organisations in the conception and implementation of the cultural programme? Please give some concrete examples and name some local artists and cultural organisations with which cooperation is envisaged and specify the type of exchanges in question. Limerick artists, cultural organisations, collectives and creative communities have been the core resource in the creation of the Limerick 2020 Programme. Each project in section 3.1 shows both local and European Partners and the table of Limerick’s cultural system (page 7) shows how our key organisations will play a full part.
A further summary of local cultural partners that
Local and European Commissioning
will play a major part includes:
The 2017 Open Call (described earlier) BRING YOUR
- Fab Lab Limerick will work on Electric Eel and Hyperplace
BELONGINGS TO LIMERICK will empower citizen and civic
- Lime Tree Theatre and Belltable Arts Hub are working on
led projects in the activation of our 2020 Artistic programme –
Belonging. Limerick Arts and Cultural Exchange (LACE),
Tiny Plays for Europe and The Wedding
- Ormston House Cultural Resource Centre is a partner
unique in Ireland in terms of an independent, collective cultural
representative group supported by Limerick 2020, will act as
for Beuys Today.
- The Irish Aerial Creation Centre will be involved in
the conduit for facilitating a shared vision between agencies
and practitioners.
delivering Lifting the Siege.
- Identity in Motion will partner with Dance Limerick
as our local partner.
EVA International, in collaboration with the International Biennial
- Fresh Film and the Troy Film Studios are our basis
Foundation, Kaunas Biennale (Lithuania), Mondriaan Fund (NL),
Plymouth Culture, UK and other partners through a potential
for the Global Young Filmmaker's Day.
- Hidden Paths will involve the highly active,
successful Creative Europe project will also develop a number
of commissioning projects for 2020 and touring to a number
rurally-based Askeaton Contemporary Arts.
- Sing out with Strings developed as an outreach initiative
of cities.
with locally based Irish Chamber Orchestra and SEYO
- The Hunt and City Museum will support the development
Narrative 4–will invite 28 writers from the 28 EU countries to
visit and share their experience in Limerick. This includes a
of the Museum of Mythological Beasts.
- Sonic Union will be partnered by RTE Lyric FM and
collaboration with Valletta 2018 and the artist collective Open
Works Lab.
supported by Music Generation.
- The Travelling Alphabet will be developed with the
support of Limerick Printmakers.
Irish Fashion Incubator Limerick –will support the creative
- The Grand Central Residency and Exchange Programme
industries with Designers in Residence and young Designer
scholarships from Ireland, Europe and Internationally.
will connect with many Limerick resource organisations.
- Bands beyond Borders will infuse the local Marching Bands tradition that exists in Limerick from its garrison town history. - World Recipe Exchange will be facilitated by many groups and organisations including Doras Luimní, Northside Family
Limerick City and County Youth Theatres will facilitate directors in residence and mobility grants as part of Grand Central Residences and Exchange programme.
Resource Centre and the Urban Co-Op. - The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance will host
Other projects to be developed through a commissioning
process include: River of Light Liquid Maps The Atlantic Fringe Connection Hyperplace Sonic Union SPAS Ludic Interface Identity in Motion Hip H'Opera
the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention as part of The Atlantic Fringe Connection.
The Flight of the Wild Geese
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Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content 2016
Lifting the Siege
Home
Quest
Opening Event The Hidden Path Liquid Maps Little Histories Hyperplace
Interface
Conference
The Atlantic Fringe Limerick Sings Bands beyond Borders Beuys Today World Recipe Exchange Brave Sister TLC Feast
Spectacle
Hydrodynamic
Nature
Fabulous Tales of Far Off Lands Tell me a story‌ Take 5 The Wedding Museum of Mythological Water Beasts
Sound
Sonic Union The Hip-Hop Connection
Music
Roots and Tendrils Globlal Young Film Makers - Longest Day
Visual Art
New Mythologies of Europe EVA International - The Art of Belonging
Community
Tiny Plays for Europe SPĂ S - Ludic Interfaces
Literature Digital
Theatre
Young
Residency
The Travelling Alphabet Reading European Minds Foinse - Open Source Life Culture Wave 2020 Encounters Electric Eel Grand Central - Residency and Exchange Sing out with Strings hosts SEYO Identity in Motion
Dance
Hip H'Opera Fidget Feet and the ICO Collecting Europe - European Collections
Social Art
Heist! Gems from the EIB The Flight of the Wild Geese
Education
Closing Ceremony Creative Time Summit 2020 (proposed)
Gothic
European League of Institutes Arts Biennial (proposed) North Atlantic Fiddle Convention
Design
International Gothic Conference 2020 YOUrban Conference (proposed)
Charity
Sport
Design Research Society conference DSR18 International Council for Traditional Music 17 Supernatural Cities: Gothic Cities 2017 JP McManus Pro Am Classic 2016 Second International Housing First Conference 2020 International Rostrum of Composers 2016 World Tetrathlon Championships
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2017
2018
2019
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
2020 JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Budget Total €16M
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Section III - Cultural and Artistic Content
New City Library and Cultural Centre Serving 100,000 people
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
4 4.0
Section IV - Capacity to Deliver
Capacity to Deliver Please confirm and supply evidence that you have broad and strong political support and a sustainable commitment from the relevant local, regional and national public authorities.
There is strong support from local, Regional and National public authorities, as well as unanimous cross-party political support for the bid. On May 23rd 2016, Limerick 2020 formally presented the plans for Limerick's bid for the European Capital of Culture designation to the elected members of Limerick City and County Council. This received unanimous cross-party political support and approval. Limerick 2020 is a specific objective in the Limerick City and County Council Corporate Plan 2015 -2019, seen as consolidating the commitment to the power of culture to drive transformational change and developmental milestones by 2030. Funding of â‚Ź1.6m has already been set aside in the 2015 and 2016 budgets as an initial provision approved by the Council toward the Limerick 2020 Budget. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has indicated that State funding of â‚Ź15 m will be provided for the designated City. The Regional stakeholders under the Limerick Charter: Commitment to Cohesion & Convergence have also pledged their full support. This includes the three third level institutions, University of Limerick, Mary Immaculate College and Limerick Institute of Technology, Limerick Chamber of Commerce, The Shannon Group (comprising Shannon Properties, Heritage and Airport), Shannon Foynes Port Company and Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership.
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4.1 4.1.1
Section IV - Capacity to Deliver
Please confirm and evidence that your city has or will have adequate and viable infrastructure to host the title. To do that, please answer the following questions: Explain briefly how the European Capital of Culture will make use of and develop the city's cultural infrastructure. Limerick has, for the scale of the City, a substantial range of cultural infrastructure, supporting dedicated and ambitious organisations. We summarise in this section the cultural infrastructure and public realm plans in development and the connection between current provision and the artistic programme. This demonstrates Limerick’s capacity to host the title alongside the impetus of the designation to deliver new infrastructure. Our strengths include organisations
artistic programme. Formal spaces such
and venues that are embedded in
as the Belltable Arts Hub, Limerick City
Limerick, for example: EVA International,
Gallery of Art, the Lime Tree Theatre,
Ireland's Biennial of Contemporary Art,
the LIT Millennium Theatre and Dance
The Lime Tree Theatre, a 510 seat theatre
Limerick will host multiple events such
which also encompasses the Belltable
as Tiny Plays for Europe, Fabulous Tales
Arts Hub, capacity 220, one of Ireland's
from Far off Lands and Beuys Today.
earliest art centres in partnership with
We plan to bring many conferences to
the Local Authority and Dance Limerick,
Limerick from now to 2020. Collectively,
a dance resource venue and organisation
the three third level Institutions of the
for the region which has developed
University of Limerick, Mary Immaculate
Light Moves; a contemporary screen
College and Limerick Institute of
dance festival.
Technology have significant facilities to host and manage these events with
Ormston House, a downtown cultural
the support of a dedicated Shannon
resource centre which is located close
Region Conference Bureau.
to FabLab Limerick a site of digital creativity. Limerick School of Art and
The Sonic Union festival of contemporary
Design, established in 1852, that has
European music will be facilitated by
recently pioneered Irish Fashion Incubator
Limerick’s assets, such as University
Limerick (IFIL). The University of Limerick
Concert Hall, the first custom-built
is home to the School of Architecture,
concert hall in Ireland, and the Irish
Irish World Academy of Music and Dance,
World Academy of Music and Dance
The University Concert Hall with a capacity
at UL, the Irish Chamber Orchestra
of 1,000, The Irish Chamber Orchestra
and Limerick based RTE Lyric FM, the
whose home includes a state of the
Irish classical-music radio station,
art acoustically modelled space and
owned by RTÉ.
rehearsal studio. One of our flagship projects, Lifting the The Hunt Museum, Limerick City Gallery
Siege, will utilise the wide green open
of Art and Limerick Museum and Archives
spaces of a city neighbourhood which
can host exhibitions of international
has appeared following the removal of
significance and have funding support
a significant number of houses as part
from national agencies.
of the regeneration process, creating the space for a spectacle for an audience
Cultural and Artistic Projects
of 100,000. A repurposed Franciscan
Our current facilities and infrastructure
Church will house the artistic team to
will assist us to deliver our planned
lead this project, while FabLab and
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Section IV - Capacity to Deliver
Limerick City Build will provide the
international rock band, The Cranberries,
visitors and walkers to enjoy this
technology and workshop facilities. With
who promise to raise the roof and rock
wonderful countryside through The
The Flight of the Wild Geese, Royal De
the city in their hometown.
Hidden Path project.
Luxe will return to transform the castle and
The Digital Skills Academy will connect
riverside area bringing a spectacle with a
the many creative initiatives of the
We will use one of seven strategic sites
European heritage focus to Limerick
corporate sector, the Local Authority and
extensively—the eight acre Cleeves site,
third level education into a single City
as a temporary exhibition site for EVA
Limerick Sings, with choirs from
Centre focus that could be the focal point
International Biennial 2018 and 2020.
across all 28 EU countries, will utilise
for developing and delivering projects
During the ECOC year, we will use the
formal and informal spaces in the city
such as the year-long immersive reality
space for other major events including
and the surrounding region from King
game SPÁS: Ludic Interfaces, which will
the gathering and exhibition for Influx,
John's Castle, St Mary's Cathedral and
transform the City of Limerick into a
the culmination of the visual art aspect of
the Lime Tree Theatre. The culmination
dynamic interface for play.
the Grand Central Residency Programme
of the event will be a mass gathering
of 42 independent Art Spaces across
of choirs in our most iconic stadium,
In rural Limerick a hidden gem is the 85 km
Europe and as a site for major theatre
Thomond Park, capacity 26,000,
Great Southern Trail, which is being
and music events.
that will also host Limerick’s own
developed. This is a draw for many artists,
Developing our City and Cultural Facilities Our plans for augmenting the current facilities focus on agreed key developments. Troy Film Studios will be a step-change in ambition for film production and supporting activities, with the largest sound studio space in Ireland plus a vast area for digital post-production and activities. The total building of 32,000m2 will provide the capacity to deliver many of our planned projects and large-scale cultural productions. Likewise our plans for A New City Library and Cultural Centre, a 9,000 m2 public cultural gathering place for the city overlooking the river, will provide a range of possibilities from digital exhibitions to a performance space. Summary of Cultural Infrastructure in Development - Troy Film Studios – International Film and TV Production Centre. Completion date: August 2016 - A New City Library and Cultural Centre. Completion date: January 2020 - Limerick City Museum and Archives. Completion date: (Phase 1)
December 2016, (Phase 2) 2018
- Fidget Feet/ Irish Aerial Creation Centre. Completion date: 2017 - Ormston House Cultural Resource Centre. Expected acquisition
date: Summer 2016
- Digital Skills Academy. Expected acquisition and fit out.
Completion date: Mid 2017
- International Fashion Incubator Limerick (IFIL). Building acquired
2015 on long-term lease. On-going
Summary of Public Realm Infrastructure in Development - Redevelopment of Colbert Bus and Train Station. Completion date: 2018 - O’Connell Street Urban Centre Revitalisation. Completion date: 2018 - Limerick Footbridge. Completion date: 2019 - Nicholas Street. Completion date: Ongoing work, 2016-2020 - Community Engagement Gateway. Completion date: 2019 - The Great Southern Trail. Completion of remedial works: 2018 - Digital Strategy Limerick. Project beginning Q4 2016 and will be ongoing.
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4.1.2
What are the city's assets in terms of accessibility (regional, national and international transport)? TRAVEL & TRANSPORT
By Air Shannon International Airport (24 km) Flights to the USA (Boston, New York, Chicago) and European destinations such as the UK (London, Manchester and Birmingham), France (Paris, Marseille, Nantes, Lyon), Germany (Berlin, Memmingen), Spain (Malaga, Palma), Portugal, Lithuania and Poland (Krakow, Warsaw, Wroclaw).
Limerick is well-situated with regard to key transport infrastructures including
Dublin Airport (200km) making it a major hub for UK, European and International travellers
Birmingham), France (Paris, Marseille, Nantes, Lyon), Germany (Berlin, Memmingen),
By Road 2hrs 10min to Dublin (200 km) 1hr 25 min to Galway (100 km) 1hr 35 min to Cork (90 km)
Shannon International Airport (24 km), and the Shannon Foynes Port (Ireland’s second largest port). Shannon Airport traces its roots back to the 1930’s, as a strategic link between Europe and the USA, when sea-planes landed there en-route from the UK, Europe and the USA. Shannon Airport has a history of innovation, including the world’s first Duty Free shop, a duty-free industrial area and the first European pre-clearance centre for USA passengers. Shannon Airport had 1.6 million passengers in 2015 with flights to the USA (Boston, New York, Chicago) and European destinations such as the UK (London, Manchester and Spain (Malaga, Palma), Portugal, Lithuania and Poland (Krakow, Warsaw, Wroclaw). Shannon Airport provides an entry point for tourists who arrive on both transatlantic and European flights to begin an Irish holiday. Many tourists use Limerick as a base that is central to major tourist destinations in our own county, Kerry and Clare such as the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher as well as for touring other towns in the Region and beyond.
By Rail Colbert Bus and Train Station 2,500 rail passengers per day, Train services running daily to all major cities through high-frequency services.
In 2015, over 25 million passengers passed through Dublin Airport, making it a major hub for UK, European and International travellers and it is easily accessed by road, bus and train service from Limerick. Road network - 2hrs 10min to Dublin/1hr 25 min to Galway/1hr 35 min to Cork Limerick is centrally located on the west coast of Ireland with motorway connections, east to Dublin (200km), south to Cork (90 km) and north to Galway (100km). Limerick is within relatively short commuting times to the main urban centres in Ireland. The Colbert Bus and Train Station will be redeveloped by 2018, with a new pedestrian plaza and new bus station with a new 235-space car park. Colbert Station sees 2,500 rail passengers per day, with train services running daily to all major cities through highfrequency services. Bus Éireann services provide for 1 million passengers every year with 125 buses departing each day. There are also competitive bus services, between Limerick and Dublin and Limerick and Dublin Airport and also serving other major Cities.
4.1.3
What is the city's absorption capacity in terms of tourists' accommodation? Limerick has 28 hotels, providing 2,171 rooms and 4,988 beds. Of these, there are two five-star hotels and nine four-star hotels. In addition, Limerick has a variety of bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodation, guesthouse and self-catering accommodation, comprising of 42 premises, which can offer an additional 283 rooms and over 1,100 beds. The University of Limerick Campus has some 2,700 rooms, which are available for conferences and events during the summer season. There are currently 300 + properties listed in AirBnB and this potential can be developed.
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Section IV - Capacity to Deliver
4.1.4
In terms of cultural, urban and tourism infrastructure what are the projects (including renovation projects) that your city plan to carry out in connection with the “European Capital of Culture” action between now and the year of the title? What is the planned timetable for this work?
4.2
CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN DEVELOPMENT Troy Film Studios - International Film And TV Production Centre Ireland's newest and largest film studio is an exciting project initiated by Limerick City and County Council working together with the newly created, Troy Film Studios. In May 2015, Limerick City and County Council purchased the former Dell Factory in Castletroy, Limerick. The new studio facility, nearing completion will cater for large-scale film and television productions by August 2016. The 32,000m2 building will also house a media cluster for production companies that will be able to support film and TV production on-site. Troy Film Studios Limited has been established by Ardmore Studio Chief Executive, Siún Ní Raghallaigh, Ardmore co-owner, Ossie Kilkenny, and producer, John Kelleher. Completion Date: August 2016. The studios and associated facilities will support several digital and Film Limerick 2020 Artistic Programme projects. A New City Library and Cultural Centre This is a landmark project, overlooking the River Shannon in the centre of the city, providing the Local Authority’s most inclusive and accessible social, cultural, economic and educational space. The development plans will utilise an existing two-story former shopping centre and transform it into a striking four-storey building with a large rooftop terrace with river views that will become a gathering place for the city. The 9,000 m2 centre includes a hybrid, multi-purpose, top-lit event space, incorporating large-scale digital resources, exhibition area, learning spaces, social spaces, group work areas and maker spaces. It will serve 100,000 people, including third level students, as a Central Library for the new Limerick authority for some 192,000 people. The new facility will act as a powerful cultural and social inclusion agent, playing a pivotal role in strengthening community identity and promoting civic participation, assisting business and supporting job skills and combatting educational disadvantage through the promotion of literacy and community lifelong learning. Completion Date: January 2020. The opening of the project will support Sonic Union and other Projects. Limerick City Museum and Archives LCMA is being re-housed in the Franciscan Friary, Henry Street to create a more accessible City Centre location and to re-purpose a former ecclesiastical building. The first phase of this development is currently underway. The museum’s 55,000 item collection includes archaeological artefacts, extensive Limerick silver and Limerick lace collections, examples of local printing, military artefacts—capturing the heritage of Limerick. Completion Date: Phase One Ground Floor, December 2016 and Phase Two, 2018.
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Section IV - Capacity to Deliver
Fidget Feet/ Irish Aerial Creation Centre
Digital Skills Academy
Fidget Feet, an aerial dance company, moved to
As described in the structure of our Artistic Programme,
Limerick as a legacy of 2014’s City of Culture with the
the Digital Skills Academy will be located in the Georgian
intention of setting up the Irish Aerial Creation Centre,
Quarter of the city, in the former Biblical Centre as a
the first in Ireland. This provides a place for performance,
learning, knowledge and co-working space to address
training for professionals and most importantly, a place
labour market issues in the context of disadvantaged
where communities can participate in aerial dance and
communities.
performance. Having established temporary premises
Expected acquisition and fit out completion date:
on the outskirts of the city, Fidget Feet, in conjunction
Mid 2017.
with Limerick 2020, plans to move to the Franciscan Church to create an exciting home and accessible
International Fashion Incubator Limerick
location in the heart of the Limerick City Centre. The
In Phase One, a building has been acquired in 2015
addition of this form of cultural infrastructure is very
on a long-term lease and refurbished by Limerick
welcome to the City.
Institute of Technology. The next stage is beginning
Completion Date: 2017,
the activation process. The International Fashion
in time to support the Lifting the Siege Project
Incubator Limerick will join other incubators like the Centre for Fashion Enterprise, London and Toronto
Ormston House Cultural Resource Centre
Fashion Incubator, in focusing on support for fashion
Ormston House Cultural Resource Centre is unique
graduates by providing space, facilities, marketing,
in that in its four-year existence, it has developed a
enterprise and business advice to create ambitious
national and international reputation as a cutting edge
international networks and opportunities for young
exhibition area and gallery. It has achieved this while
designers.
existing in a 'NAMA' or National Assets Management
Ongoing
Agency owned building and running the activities of the gallery on a volunteer capacity. Limerick City and
PUBLIC REALM INFRASTRUCTURE IN
County Council wishes to acquire the building so that
DEVELOPMENT
the collective can be licensed to Ormston House so they can acquire a sustainable level of funding to
Redevelopment of Colbert Bus & Train Station
develop for the future.
The €16.8 million redevelopment of both Colbert
Expected acquisition date: Summer 2016.
Train and Bus Station and Limerick’s City centre with a new pedestrian plaza is currently underway with the first phase of development to be completed by end of summer. Completion Date: 2018.
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Section IV - Capacity to Deliver
O'Connell Street Urban Centre Revitalisation
a Community Engagement Gateway that connects
ERDF Funding of €4.1 m of a total fund budget of
the campus with the community. The building will
€8.2 m has been approved to deliver public realm,
be a shared resource for meeting and learning.
widened footpaths, re-aligned bus corridors, better
The cost of the project is €12 m.
traffic management in Limerick's premier street.
Completion Date: 2019.
Completion Date: 2018. The Great Southern Trail Limerick Footbridge
The Great Southern Trailis is a unique 85 km stretch
This iconic landmark for the river Shannon will
of countryside in West Limerick/North Kerry along a
link the Shannon Rowing Club to Merchant’s Quay.
former railway linebuilt to link the city of Limerick with
The construction of a new riverside connection along
the town of Tralee in North Kerry. Today, the Great
the River Shannon is a major transformational project
Southern Trail is suitable for walking and cycling off
to create a new ‘Riverway’ and a stunning journey on
road along a 40 km route connecting the towns of
the river. Funding via public and private funding of
Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale. The
€18 m is available for this project.
trail has the potential to be extended by a further
Completion Date: 2019.
28 km and serve as an off-road walking and cycling Greenway connecting Limerick City with the
Nicholas Street
settlement towns of Patrickswell, Adare, Rathkeale,
The development of the main commercial street
Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale. With remedial
in the Medieval Quarter of Limerick, Nicholas Street,
works, it will provide a major tourist amenity.
is underway by Limerick Regeneration. Its plan is
Completion of remedial works: 2018.
to develop stronger relationships with the creative,
Project: Hidden Paths.
tourism and cultural industries in this tourist area of Limerick. The regeneration of unused or underutilised
Digital Strategy Limerick
land and buildings is currently in progress for
Limerick will continue to invest in its digital infrastructure,
temporary uses with the aim of longer-term
which will support Limerick 2020. Access to the Internet
sustainable permanent uses.
using high speed public Wi-Fi, mobile data access on
Completion Date: Ongoing work, 2016-2020.
4G and even 5G is expected to become ubiquitous. My Limerick, a digital platform for personalised services and
Community Engagement Gateway
a mobile app, will allow people to experience Limerick
Led by Limerick Institute of Technology with support
2020 in their own way. Data harvesting will be utilised
from Limerick City and County Council, this project
to plan events and to optimise services so as to further
concerns social inclusion and will join together the
enhance cultural events. It will enable Limerick and
neighbourhood of Moyross with the LIT Campus by
future European Capital of Culture cities to develop even
removing the wall of exclusion separating the campus
better Programmes based on key insights from real data.
from the residential area. The aim of this is to create
The initial budget is €3 m. Project beginning Q4 2016 and will be ongoing.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section IV - Capacity to Deliver
1
King John’s Castle
17
Iconic 13th century castle 2
The Hunt Museum
26,000 - home to Munster Rugby 55,000 - GAA (Irish national sports) 5,000 - Home to Limerick Football
Collects, preserves and exhibits the Hunt Collection 3
4
Limerick City Gallery of Art Municipal Art Gallery
Limerick School of Art and Design
University Concert Hall
Courses in fine art, fashion, visual communications and multimedia
18
1,000 seat concert hall 5
19
Limerick Museum Municipal museum
6
RTÉ Lyric FM
10
Ormston House
12
22
Mary Immaculate College 3,000+ students, on site theatre and arts centre
Sarsfield Barracks The Milk Market The People's Park
John's Square Cultural Cluster
3,000 - Military Grounds 1,500 - Covered Market and Venue 8,500 - Natural Amphitheatre 24
8 acre, riverside site used in 2014 & 2016 for EVA Biennial
International Fashion Incubator Limerick Limerick School of Art and Design expanding Fashion Industry potential
Cleeve’s Factory Site 25
Digital Skills Academy Learning, Enterprise and Start Up Space
Troy Film Studios 26
Limerick City Library
14
Irish Chamber Orchestra
15
Irish Aerial Creation Centre
27
Narative 4 European HQ of education organisation promoting the exchange of stories
World Class Orchestra based in Limerick 28
Aerial dance training organisation and home to Fidget Feet Co.
Community Engagement Gateway LIT Campus connecting with the Community
29
Music Generation Creative Centre
Limerick City Museum and Archives New home in the heart of the city
New city library serving 100,000 people
16
Limerick Institute of Technology 6,500+ students in art and design, science, technology and business
23
New 22,000m2 film/TV facility 13
21
Independent gallery - part of Creative Limerick scheme
Dance Limerick Limerick Printmakers Artists Apartments 11
University of Limerick 20,000+ students, largest % of Erasmus students in Ireland
Belltable Arts Hub Long running arts centre 220 seat theatre, gallery space and rehearsal space
9
20
The Lime Tree Theatre 510 seat theatre with diverse year round programme
8
Irish World Academy of Music & Dance Renowned organisation at the cutting edge of practice and research
National radio station for Classical Music – based in Limerick 7
Thomond Park Gaelic Grounds Markets Field
Innovation Hub Roxboro Community Enterprise Centre
City wide organisation for engaging young people in making music
Current and New Cultural Infrastructure 74
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section IV - Capacity to Deliver
11
1 15 26
5 2
13
9
27
6
8 3
24 25
16
23
10 3 23
23
19
28 21
4
17
20 17 18
22 7
Current Cultural Infrastructure
New Cultural Infrastructure
75
29
14
12
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section IV - Capacity to Deliver
This is Where We Meet
76
Limerick 2020 Belonging
5 5.0
Section V - Outreach
Outreach Explain how the local population and civil society have been involved in the preparation of the application and will participate in the implementation of the year?
The people of Limerick have opened their doors, their kitchens and their hearts to Limerick 2020. They have contributed hugely to the development of our programme with their ideas, their culture and their time. They are at the root of our concept of Belonging. We have created an Outreach programme for Limerick, which provides a joined-up approach to facilitate a tangible sense of Belonging on the part of all of the communities and organisations that represent them. Limerick’s cultural profile has been “hard won”. During the city’s recovery the people of the region put immense efforts into making Limerick feel more connected and worked hard in overcoming a reputation for some of the most challenging social and economic problems in Ireland. These efforts demonstrated a remarkable will and ability to deliver practical solutions to many issues, and though there are still many more issues that require attention, there is an exceptional openness and resolve that characterises our engagement with challenges facing our communities. We have built on the programme that we developed for the first phase application, placing particular emphasis on: - Our Kitchen Table Conversations - Our Pop-Up Culture Shops - Community Consultation Initiatives An open call for ideas and projects has helped inform the programme. Limerick’s Intelligence Unit contributed to an understanding of our socio-economic and physical landscape. In addition Limerick Arts and Culture Exchange, (LACE) and Professional Artists Limerick Network, (PLAN) were consulted extensively on the development of the Cultural Strategy. This work is not a one-off exercise. Our recognition for the need to continue dialogue is rooted in an understanding that positive interactions are essential if we are to create a long-term sense of togetherness and belonging. Kitchen Table Conversations have provided Limerick with innovative ways to connect with communities, especially in areas affected by social and economic disadvantage which can feel removed from the cultural life of Limerick. Small, intimate and informal gatherings have helped us to reach people who may otherwise have been excluded. This approach brought us to community centres, youth cafés, and several youth education programmes, to a field where young people keep their horses, and at a social club and a care home for the elderly. A community walkabout, led to revealing conversations about what culture means to people who live in some of the marginalised fringes of Limerick.
77 77
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section V - Outreach
Current European research tells us that
As one of our Kitchen Table participants
emerged from our consultations on
feeling connected and spending regular
told us: “Just by encouraging culture and
the Cultural Strategy so that everyone
social time with others are vital elements
by (Limerick) 2020 getting involved from
can play a full part in the development
in developing strong social capital and
the bottom up and encouraging people
of the programme. We will adapt and
thus key to engaging people in cultural
to create... to plan for legacy projects...
develop those roles in a creative way
activity. What has emerged from all of
that is something we can look back on
to encourage and enable organisations
our discussions, across a wide range of
and say ‘that’s what being a Capital of
and individuals to find a way of being
communities, is that people want to be
Culture achieved for Limerick”.
involved that is truly meaningful for them,
involved – and more importantly they want
whether by becoming deeply involved
to feel like they belong. There is a real
That has motivated us. Everybody in
in the process of co-creating events in
spirit emerging, creating a defining thread
Limerick will have the chance to be part
the heart of their community, cleaning up
connecting our citizens, creating
of the story. In tandem with the Activate
and preparing, measuring the growth in
a sense that we are in this together.
2020 Programme for cultural operators
feelings of belonging through our Citizen
described in Section 3 we will build on the
Researchers or simply going to an event,
5 roles (Advocates, Brokers, Innovators,
an exhibition or show for the first time.
Supporters, Promoters) which have
5.1
How will the title create in your city new and sustainable opportunities for a wide range of citizens to attend or participate in cultural activities in particular volunteers, the marginalised and disadvantaged, including minorities? Please also elaborate on the accessibility of these activities to persons with disabilities and the elderly. Specify the relevant parts of the planned programme for these various groups. Limerick 2020 will belong to everyone. We would prefer to avoid the sense that there is a separate section of the programme for people with disabilities, for the elderly, for LGBTQ+ communities, for the Travelling community or for recent migrants, instead we want to ensure that all of those groups have the opportunity to enjoy and engage in the programme. However, we understand the need – especially as we develop our community connections in the build-up years - for targeted consultation with specific groups. The findings from our consultations have informed the programming for those groups which includes a Special Invitations Initiative to provide a targeted approach to high priority groups.
Enhancing quality of life and improving social inclusion through culture are key elements of both our Cultural Strategy and Artistic Vision. As we start the process of Activate 2020, we will: - Use the structure of Activate 2020 to develop the capacity of organisations
and individuals to build upon the networks and contacts made to date to allow further partnership with our European neighbours
- Specifically address groups and communities whose participation is
under-represented or who need additional support and encouragement
- Identify activities or topics which bring alive people’s creative abilities to fully
involve them in co-creating projects to transform the areas they live in
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section V - Outreach
Already our Kitchen Table Conversations
communities living in the Limerick Region.
have metamorphosed into Kitchen Table
These took the form of Kitchen Table
Events – a programme which allows
Conversations, focus groups and
community groups to book our “Giant
children’s workshops. We aimed to
Kitchen Table” to develop and deliver a
learn what our New Irish communities
community-based event itself, using it as
are already doing, what support
the starting point and culminating in TLC
structures they need and how they
Feast, a major community celebration.
see the opportunities of Limerick 2020 helping to deepen their sense
Targeted groups will be involved in the
of Belonging.
following ways: From traditional dance, song and music, Older people – We will connect with
theatre, scout groups, weekend schools
Limerick’s Age Friendly strategy to
and religious celebrations, these
develop programmes for older people.
communities engage in activities related
Limerick is aiming to be the first
to their native cultures. While most of
Compassionate City in Ireland, which
these activities currently happen within
involves supporting citizens in the face
the national minority circles – each
of illness and loss. This support will use
community expressed a need for more
storytelling and performance as a way
dynamic intercultural exchange and a
of facing these challenges, taking culture
great interest in working with Limerick
to where older people meet and live.
2020 to achieve that. Important events like Polska – Éire Festival and the Africa
Traveller Community - We will work with
Day Festival are already in place.
the Traveller community to counteract exclusion and marginalisation. Models
Homeless and vulnerable people –
of practice will include Home, a recent
Novas McGarry House in Limerick is
Hunt Museum exhibition in partnership
Ireland’s first innovative low-threshold,
with Limerick city Traveller Health
direct access emergency facility. We
Advocacy Programme, and Limerick
have consulted with the facilityand we
City and County Council. Specific actions
intend to involve clients and residents
will include engagement with Traveller
in Little Histories as their stories are also
groups on collaborative projects including
part of Limerick’s story. We will also
Take 5, Lifting the Siege and the Atlantic
facilitate access for this community to join
Fringe Connection.
us in events via our Special Invitations initiative.
Asylum Seeking Communities Focus groups have been held with people
People with disabilities – Limerick 2020
seeking asylum and who live in Limerick in
has a strong commitment to increasing
Government accommodation. The main
access for people living with disability in
cultural needs expressed by these groups
our communities. This commitment will
are about the need for ease of access to
feature as an ongoing dialogue with
recreation and leisure facilities. We will
relevant groups. There is a strong network
work to support their needs and create
of support organisations in the Limerick
connectivity with other communities.
region and these organisations have a dedicated volunteer base who will connect to Limerick 2020 as ‘Specialist
New Irish Communities - Several
Volunteers’ to improve and support equal
forms of consultation have been held
access and participation of disabled
with representatives of the new National
people. Along with this, we have curated
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
5.1
Section V - Outreach
(Continued)
outreach projects aimed particularly at
during Limerick National City of Culture,
the workforce of communities and
childrenwith differing abilities to work
the difference that volunteering can make
large-scale organisations to harness
together. We plan to develop a specific
to the lives of the people who take part.
the power of collaborative action
mobile arts project for people with learning
Volunteers become touched by the magic
- Citizen Researchers as Volunteers
disabilities.
of the events they support; gain new skills
and confidence; as well as capturing
to measure the mood of the City as part of our Evaluation
LGBTQ+ community – We will work with
information to help show the impact
- Community Cultural Champions to
local support agency GOSHH to identify
of what they are part of. The various
work in communities to encourage
Limerick as a queer-friendly destination
branches of the Limerick 2020 Volunteer
promoting cultural activity and
and a progressive and inclusive city.
Network will be coordinated by a group
engagement – to work with older
Promoting culture as a catalyst where
led by the Limerick 2020 Volunteer
people as an integral part of Age-
people can safely and proudly express
Manager. Different elements of the
Friendly Limerick and others with
their true identities through dance,
programme will include:
groups such as our New Irish or
performance, and visual arts culminating
LGBTQ+ communities
in an expanded celebration for the 2020
- Development of a core of 220
- Specialist Volunteers who will
Pride Festival.
“2020 Cultural Volunteers” to
support people with disabilities
provide event support, additional
and find solutions to removing
resources at cultural venues and
barriers to their full participation
‘City Welcome’ support
- A group of Young Volunteers
Volunteering – This is one of the very best ways through which people can find a way
to belong to something, as well enhancing
- The model of Team Limerick Clean
the project through their support. We
Up (TLC), a volunteer-led
A Volunteer Strategy will be produced
have seen, from other ECOCs and from
environmental initiative will be used for
in 2017.
our own experience of using Volunteers
large scale civic projects empowering
Groups
Audience Development Strategy
Project/Cultural Programme
Impact
TLC Feast Lifting the Siege Activate 2020
Committed Volunteer base Specialist volunteers to reach specific groups Word of mouth effect
Community-based events Community-led events Digital Habitats
Lifting the Siege / Take 5 / School of Spectacle
Involved in core programme Capacity beyond 2020 Creative industry training
Focus groups Intercultural projects Special Invitations
Brave Sister / World Recipe Exchange Tell me a Story / TLC
Included in programme planning and key celebrations and events Capacity built
Link to Limerick’s Age Friendly Strategy Outreach to care homes
Little Histories and Multiple Events
Included in programme planning Cultural offer taken to their places of gathering
Volunteers Recruit 220 volunteers Activate Specialist Volunteers/ Citizen Researchers / Cultural Champions and Training Marginalised/ Disadvantaged Minorities
Older People Disability
New Irish Communities
Consultation Specialist Volunteers Special Invitation Focus groups Kitchen Table Conversations Children’s Workshops Specialist Volunteers
Lifting the Siege The Hidden Path The Wedding Brave Sister
Supported access to events and equality Opportunity to perform
World Recipe Exchange Brave Sister The Wedding
Increased sense of belonging, Increased access to intercultural activities Increased opportunity
Traveller Community
Consultation Specialist Volunteers Special Invitations
Take 5 Lifting the Siege Atlantic Fringe Connection Brave Sister
Inclusion, Participation in community spectacle and theatre, Celebration of Traveller musical culture
Homeless
Specialist Volunteers Special Invitations
Little Histories Lifting the Siege
Voice of homeless included Supported access to programme
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section V - Outreach
5.2
Explain your overall strategy for audience development, and in particular the link with education and the participation of schools Our overarching strategy for audience development is to capture the transformative power of culture, and to develop our programme in a way that maximises the impact on people in terms of inclusion, access and engagement in particular youth engagement through education as part of Activate 2020. The successful and sustained ability to
6) We are also developing a new
attract audiences beyond those who normally involve themselves in culture is
marketing strategy for the city,
using our Digital Habitats and other
one of the most difficult aspects of cultural
traditional forms of marketing which
programming. For us it has the strongest
will use Limerick’s people and its
transformational potential.
culture as the dominant image of
We learned from this research as
the city: “I belong because...”
7) Programmes to engage businesses
described in European Dimension and
and their staff – for example, the
built upon this from our own experiences
briefing of front-line tourism, hospitality
in 2014 from the social impact evaluation
and transport staff can be positive for
developed by our Citizen Researchers, our
audience development. Such training
Multiplicity Cultural Mapping and our
can provide more than professional
extensive consultations.
welcome for their customers, it can also help achieve ‘buy in’ and increase
The following approach drives drive our
word of mouth messages about
Audience Development strategy:
cultural events. The knowledge gained encourages people in this sector (and
1) There is a balance between events delivered in the heart of communities
their friends and families) to go to events, exhibitions and shows.
and encouraging people to come to the City Centre and to feel a sense of
This strong approach to audience
belonging in their participation in other
development will support the core
events.
objectives from our cultural and
2) We need to bring major events to
marketing strategies.
communities which are further away from traditional cultural infrastructure
These objectives are:
and to involve those communities in
• Capacity-building for individuals and
the process of creation so that local capacity is developed. 3) High production values are essential in raising the bar on traditional community events, which can be uninspiring to those not directly involved. 4) Attention for encouraging participation between events and activities which are “owned” by particular community cultural groups and audiences. 5) Many new communities are more active and positive in promoting and celebrating their culture, and opening up public space. We can follow their example of positivity.
81
organisations • Ensuring that wherever people live they have access to cultural activity • Delivering programmes which are exciting and attractive to everyone
Limerick 2020 Belonging
5.2
Section V - Outreach
(Continued)
Education and Participation of Schools
The Limerick Youth Service, is the largest in Ireland and has many European
Young people and schools - How do we
links which Limerick 2020 will utilise to
help broker a role for Young People as part
drive connections and exchanges for
of Activate 2020?
young people.
In Limerick City Centre, we have set up a
The mainstream schools at both primary
programme of Pop Up Culture Shops
and post-primary level will be involved
engaging with children and young people
in Limerick 2020. Fabulous Tales from
in a fun, creative, artistic way that has
Far Off Lands brings together the
given them a voice and a say in how our
diversity of European literature to share
culture progresses. Using visual art as a
with younger audiences. For the Travelling
means of talking to young people about
Alphabet, an existing network of 33
what culture and what Europe means to
schools in 17 countries will connect with
them, we have gained valuable knowledge
schools in the Limerick Region for an arts
about what cultural activities excite them,
exchange project. Sing out with Strings
what makes them happy and contributes
with SEYO will hold workshops and
to their well-being. We have also talked to
performances in schools. The Hip Hop
them about their challenges and how
Connection will provide youth with music
culture can help them to deal with those,
exchanges in several European countries,
as well as increase their happiness and
while Young Global Filmmakers Longest
sense of belonging. This has provided us
Day will bring youth together in a massive
with a basis on which to build a really
exchange of creativity.
comprehensive programme of audience development for young people in Limerick.
Limerick 2020 will make positive long term changes for our citizens. A positive,
We are connecting our strategy to national
resilient, economically-viable city will
young peoples’ educational and cultural
emerge that has the courage to reach out
programmes, developments in the
and stand shoulder to shoulder in taking
National Arts in Education Charter
our place on the outpost of Europe, as
proposed in New Local Arts in Education
proud, engaged European citizens.
Partnerships and Arts Rich Schools. Our
Where we Belong.
core Youth 2020 programme will have a major capacity-building element that will be jointly planned and delivered with Mary Immaculate College, a specialist in Education, as well as with Limerick Youth Service and Youthreach, which offer education, training and work experience programmes for early school leavers. The Limerick 2020 programme will offer young people the opportunity to engage in activity about belonging, while providing them with opportunities to acquire certification.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section V - Outreach
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section V - Outreach
84
Limerick 2020 Belonging
6 6.1 6.1.1
Section VI - Management
Management Finance: City budget for culture What has been the annual budget for culture in the city over the last 5 years (excluding expenditure for the present European Capital of Culture application)? LIMERICK EMBRACES THE OPPORTUNITY TO GENERATE CULTURAL FUNDING TO TRANSFORM OUR CITY AND REGION
Annual budget for culture Annual budget for culture
in the city (in % of the total
Year
in the city (in euro)
annual budget for the city)
2012
8,376,020
4.5%
2013
8,760,270
5.0%
2014*
8,402,802
4.7%
2015
9,394,207
6.4%
2016
10,415,211
6.8%
* In addition to the amounts above, Limerick City and County Council generated cultural expenditure of €12 m in 2014 in connection with the delivery of the National City of Culture.
6.1.2
In case the city is planning to use funds from its annual budget for culture to finance the European Capital of Culture project, please indicate this amount starting from the year of submission of the bid until the European Capital of Culture year. No, we will not use any funds from the annual budget. Our partners from cultural institutions receiving funds from the cultural budget of the City may co-finance some of the 2020 projects but there will be no direct deduction from the annual cultural budget to finance the ECOC project.
6.1.3
Which amount of the overall annual budget does the city intend to spend for culture after the European Capital of Culture year (in euros and in % of the overall annual budget)? Limerick City and County Council plans, in conjunction with the Arts Council of Ireland, to spend 7.5% of the Council budget, or approximately €11.5 m yearly, in the years following Limerick 2020, an increase of a little over €1 m compared to 2016.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
6.2 6.2.1
Section VI - Management
Operating budget for the title year Income to cover operating expenditure Please explain the overall operating budget (i.e. funds that are specifically set aside to cover operational expenditure). The budget shall cover the preparation phase, the year of the title, the evaluation and provisions for the legacy activities.
Total income to
From the
From the
From the
From the
cover operating
public sector
public sector
private sector
private sector
(in euro)
(in euro)
(in %)
(in euro)
(in %)
37,005,000
29,080,000
79%
7,925,000
21%
expenditure
Limerick 2020’s overall operating budget
For Limerick 2020, we are projecting
of €37 m is based both on experience and
€7.9 m or 21% of our income to be
on expert advice. We believe that Limerick
from the private sector. This amount
has the capability to produce and deliver
includes anticipated revenues from
a very successful programme up to and
ticketed programme events and in-kind
including 2020 itself with an operational
sponsorships totalling €2.9 m.
budget of €37 m. This amount is exclusive
6.2.2
of Limerick City and County Council
We have already achieved private
on-going contributions to culture of
sector and philanthropy commitments
approximately €10 m and the anticipated
of €2.5 m or 50% of our target of €5 m
budget post-2020 of €11.5 m.
from private sector cash contributions.
Income from the public sector What is the breakdown of the income to be received from the public sector to cover operating expenditure?
Income from the public sector to cover operating expenditure
in euro
%
National Government
15,000,000
54%
City
8,300,000
30%
Region
1,500,000
5%
Melina Mercouri Prize)
* 1,500,000
5%
Other
1,280,000
5%
Total
27,580,000
100%
EU (with exception of the
* Funding as a result of a series of Creative Europe EU funding stream applications
86
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section VI - Management
6.2.3
Have the public finance authorities (City, Region, State) already voted on or made financial commitments to cover operating expenditure? If not, when will they do so? Ireland’s National Government has expressed its intention to provide funding of €15m. Limerick City and County Council has already confirmed its full support for the Limerick 2020 bid, and will provide €8.3 m over the next six years (2016-2021). Funding of €1.6 m has already been put aside in the 2015 and 2016 budgets for the Limerick 2020 programme, which has been unanimously approved by Council members. In addition to cash contributions, Limerick City and County Council will provide €2.3 m in grants, staff secondments and facilities.
6.2.4
What is your fund raising strategy to seek financial support from Union programmes/funds to cover operating expenditure? Limerick 2020 strategy is to engage with multiple partners, institutions and organisations to seek funding for a variety of projects and initiatives. Successful Creative European applications include the Co-operation Projects Strand, as a co-partner with the project European Outdoor Art Academy – School of Spectacle training. This project is led by Walk the Plank in the UK and a partnership of an ECOC candidate Kaunas 2022, Lithuania, Pafos2017 and Plovdiv 2019. This partnership will support Lifting the Siege development. Limerick Co. Youth Theatre was successful with Erasmus+. We will partner with Plymouth, UK and Ferrol, Spain on a Creative Europe application to support co-commissioning of cutting edge projects on Creative Powerhouses, Re-inventing our Cities with Eva International and Spás. We intend to apply for CE funding under the Support to Literary Translations for Reading European Minds and also from European Platforms for Sonic Union and Grand Central Residencies Strand. We will also work with specialists such as Euclid, a consultancy helping arts, heritage, culture & creative industries to access EU funding, so as to comprehensively utilise the funding strands and the requirements to make appropriate successful applications. Under the Europe for Citizens we will explore initiatives relating to civil society projects such as promotion of societal engagement in relation to Foinse/Open Source Life and volunteering.
6.2.5
According to what timetable should the income to cover operating expenditure be received by the city and/or the body responsible for preparing and implementing the ECOC project if the city receives the title of European Capital of Culture?
Source of income for operating expenditure
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
EU (excluding Mercouri Prize)
-
-
National Government
-
City
-
750,000
750,000
-
-
-
7,500,000
7,500,000
-
630,000
1,100,000
1,626,000
2,007,000
2,337,000
600,000
Region
-
100,000
250,000
500,000
650,000
-
Sponsors
-
1,250,000
1,250,000
1,250,000
1,250,000
-
Other
-
170,000
440,000
1,505,000
2,090,000
-
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2021
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section VI - Management
6.2.6
Income from the private sector What is the fund-raising strategy to seek support from private sponsors? What is the plan for involving sponsors in the event?
TARGET OF €5M SPONSORSHIP, €2.5M CONFIRMED
Already, we have a written commitment from the Clancourt
TO LIMERICK 2020 TO DATE
Group of €250,000 spread over the five years.
The Limerick 2020 fundraising campaign is focusing on
Limerick 2020 intends to attract a small number of leading
demonstrating the significant value of the cultural dividend to
local and National companies to provide sponsorship to the
sponsors and the corporate sector in terms of economic, social
European Capital of Culture programme. It is intended to seek
and cultural returns. This strategy is proving successful and
this support on a per-annum basis, thus allowing a build-up of
we are expecting to confirm up to €3 m in sponsorship by July
awareness of the year and of the sponsors. The 20 X 20 Fund
2016. We already have formally pledged support of €2.5 m from
will seek to secure €2,000,000 from 20 companies over five
philanthropic, commercial and corporate supporters.
years. Our strategy is based on developing strong relationships between corporate funders and Limerick 2020 over an extended
Our sponsors and supporters are a vital part of a successful
period of time as it takes time to understand the objectives of
ECOC process. A key learning from our current bidding process
a corporate (and vice versa). Dedicated staff will develop this
and a legacy of City of Culture 2014 has been the involvement
relationship with the sponsors, and will ensure that the
and engagement with sponsors and the private corporate
corporates’ broader relationships with the cultural sector
sector as key participants and collaborators in terms of the
are developed and matured over time, to ensure that their
region's transformation.
engagement continues. As a legacy learning from the 2014 City of Culture, where 15%
“We have 26 nationalities on our workforce of 1,200.
of the budget was raised through fundraising plus an additional
We all share the desire to live in a good environment,
7% through in-kind support. We are confident about our target
and want our employees to enrich and participate in
for private sector fundraising.
the cultural life of Limerick, to enjoy their life here, for themselves and their families.”
Other funding strategies will include the Limerick 2020 Card,
– Barry O’Sullivan, General Manager,
a discount and supporter card for event bookings, event and
Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Ireland.
retail discounts, seat reservations, transport discounts, local tourism sites etc. The Limerick 2020 Card will also function
Involvement with the corporate sector creates engagement
as a means of monitoring audience engagement, segment
with the workforce of people in Limerick and Clare, and creates
analysis and other data.
opportunities for community building, audience development, volunteering, fund raising and in-kind support.
We also plan to develop a “Round-up” initiative, operating on the basis of retailers asking permission to “round up your
The JP McManus Philanthropic Fund has confirmed in writing
purchase” to the nearest euro. The retailer will administer the
its commitment to making an award of €2,000,000 should
funds collection and disbursement to the Limerick 2020
Limerick be successful in the bid for European Capital of
organisation. While financial outcomes are uncertain, it will
Culture 2020. We believe that this philanthropic support will
probably contribute more in feel-good terms and will create
be very influential in leveraging additional support from
a sense of citizen and retailer support and participation.
commercial and industrial businesses at local and national level.
88
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section VI - Management
6.2.7
Operating expenditure Please provide a breakdown of the operating expenditure, by filling in the table below. Breakdown of operating expenditure
Wages,
Wages,
Promotion
Promotion
overheads
overheads
Other
and
Programme
Programme
and
and
and
(please
Other
Total of the
Expenditure
Expenditure
marketing
marketing
administration administration
specify)
(please
operating
(in euro)
(in %)
(in euro)
(in %)
(in euros)
(in euro)
specify)
expenditure
7,108,000
19%
1,009,000 Reserve
37,005,000
22,962,000 62%
5,926,000
(in %) 16%
Our direct marketing expenditure for Limerick 2020 will be 19% or €7.1 m budget for Promotion and Marketing. In addition, we confidently expect in-kind support of the National tourism organisations to contribute over €1 m or 3% of total promotion expenditure making a total actual spend of 22% in direct and indirect funding. We also expect that additional funds will be raised by participating projects (not accounted for in our budget). Considerable promotion of the Limerick 2020 cultural programme will be through the National tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for international marketing.
6.2.8
Planned timetable for spending operating expenditure
Wages,
Wages,
Promotion
Promotion
overheads
overheads
Other
Timetable
Programme
Programme
and
and
and
and
(contin
Other
of
Expenditure
Expenditure
marketing
marketing
administration
administration
-gency)
(contin
spending
(in euro)
(in %)
(in euro)
(in %)
(in euros)
(in %)
in euro)
-gency)
2016
125,000
1%
240,000
3%
197,000
3%
17,000
2%
2017
450,000
2%
240,000
3%
697,000
12%
42,000
4%
2018
1,275,000
6%
525,000
7%
1,163,000
20%
89,000
9%
2019
5,585,000
24%
3,385,000 48%
1,479,000
25%
314,000
31%
2020
13,827,000
60%
2,718,000 38%
1,659,000
28%
547,000
54%
2021
850,000
4%
-
0%
671,000
11%
-
0%
Later
850,000
4%
-
0%
60,000
1%
-
0%
22,962,000
100%
7,108,000
100%
5,926,000
100%
1,009,000
100%
89
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section VI - Management
6.2.9
Budget for capital expenditure What is the breakdown of the income to be received from the public sector to cover capital expenditure in connection with the title year? Limerick City and County Council has
Income from the public sector to
embarked on a major programme of
cover capital expenditure
in euro
%
National Government
32,000,000
30%
City
32,353,371
31%
investment in city centre transformation,
Region
8,000,000
8%
public realm space, new business offers,
capital investment as part of its plan entitled 'Limerick 2030'. This plan has identified the need for substantial capital
residential and retail space. The plan,
EU (with exception of the Melina Mercouri Prize)
18,100,000
17%
Other
15,545,000
15%
Total
105,998,371
adopted by Limerick City and County Council in 2014, runs from 2015-2030. The opposite table represents elements of that plan that relate to cultural infrastructure, which is expected to be in use by 2020.
6.2.10
Have the public finance authorities (city, region, State) already voted on or made financial commitments to cover capital expenditure? If not, when will they do so? Limerick 2030 - An Economic and Spatial Plan for Limerick outlined an expenditure of €250 m and has already been approved by Limerick Council in 2014. Limerick City and County Council have already put in place partial funding facilities of €34 m to advance this Plan. State support for Limerick Travel Hub of €16 m is also committed. Expenditure already incurred relates to cultural projects including: • Troy Studio Film and TV Production Centre (work almost complete) • Renovation of Friary for the Limerick Museum and Archives (Phase 1 works begun) • Limerick Travel Hub and Square/Plaza (works ongoing) • Acquisition of the Cleeves Development site • Planning for Creative Industries Georgian Quarter Building • Key strategic development sites (planning and feasibility ongoing) • A new City Library and Cultural Centre (feasibility study stage) • Iconic Footbridge on the river Shannon (concept stage) It is expected that this total investment of €250 m will attract private capital of at least €500 m into Limerick for commercial developments linked to the Council infrastructural investment, giving total expected investment of €750 m in the period to 2030.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section VI - Management
6.2.11
What is your fund raising strategy to seek financial support from Union
Limerick is seeking various funding
support for small and medium-sized
Europe, Atlantic Area and Northern
strands to implement our programme
enterprises through Urban Innovative
Periphery Programmes, which we are
and capital plans. The Capital funding
Actions. Support for capital projects is
exploring in relation to our capital projects
will be in the main from the European
also being sought from the European
and programme strands. We are currently
Regional Development Funding, for public
Investment Bank. Other public realm
preparing an INTERREG proposal for
realm works and for the new City Library.
funds will be sourced under specific
the Atlantic Area Programme with Ferrol,
We are seeking funding for the Pop Up
Urban Development from the EU Southern
Spain and other partners in relation to
Knowledge Centre relating to innovation
Region funding for Ireland. We are also
repurposing industrial heritage for social
and research, the digital agenda and
eligible under INTERREG B North West
and cultural use.
6.2.12
According to what timetable should the income to cover capital expenditure be
programmes/funds to cover capital expenditure?
received by the city and/or the body responsible for preparing and implementing the ECOC project if the city receives the title of European Capital of Culture?
Source of income for captial expenditure
2016
2017
2018
2019
EU (excluding Mercouri Prize)
1,000,000
1,550,000
5,550,000
6,000,000
4,000,000
National Government
2,000,000
9,000,000
12,000,000
7,000,000
2,000,000
City
9,553,371
4,040,000
10,260,000
8,500,000
-
Region
-
2,000,000
5,000,000
1,000,000
-
Sponsors
-
2,000,000
8,000,000
6,000,000
-
Other
15,545,000
-
-
-
-
6.2.13
2020
If appropriate, please insert a table here that specifies which amounts will be spent for new cultural infrastructure to be used in the framework of the title year.
Area: Project
Example
Estimated
cost â‚Ź
Cultural
Film
Troy Film Studios
7,714,000
Library and Cultural Centre
City centre cultural space
30,000,000
Cultural infrastructure
Museum/Aerial Creation
1,600,000
renovation and acquisition
Centre/Cultural Resource
Creative Digital Skills Academy Industries
Acquisition and activation of
Socio-
O’Connell St/Limerick Travel
Public Realm economic Urban refurbishment Education
5,000,000
Georgian Quarter building 24,200,000
Hub and Plaza Community Engagement
12,000,000
Gateway Cultural
Walking Trail
The Great Southern Trail
1.000.000
Waterfront
River walk
18,650,000
Tourism
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
6.3 6.3.1
Section VI - Management
Organisational structure What kind of governance and delivery structure is envisaged for the implementation of the European Capital of Culture year?
Limerick 2020 will be an independent
The Board will comprise of 14
appointment of the CEO and the Artistic
company with responsibility for strategy,
members, a cross-section of artistic,
Director. The Chief Executive Officer
management and delivery.
cultural, professional skills and public
(CEO) of Limerick 2020 will report to the
representatives appointed by Limerick
Board. The role of CEO will be to execute
A special purpose company (Limerick
City and County Council. The skills
the strategic directions set by the Board
2020 Limited) has been established.
matrix for the board will require expertise
and to manage the day-to-day activities
It is a limited liability company and a
in Governance, Culture and Artistic
of Limerick 2020. Other executives will
wholly owned subsidiary of Limerick City
programming, Community Engagement,
report to the Board as requested by the
and County Council. The Limerick 2020
Finance, Marketing and Fundraising.
Board. The Board will take advice from
Company will have the responsibility
Governance procedures and processes
the CEO on the operating budget,
for the implementation of the European
specific to Limerick 2020 Limited will
including the cultural programme, and
Capital of Culture 2020 programme
be established and will have regard to
will approve this initial budget and any
and delivery. The company will be a fully
public sector governance, appropriately
substantial amendments to it.
independent body and have a Board of
tailored to the needs of the company.
Directors appointed to ensure that the
These will include an audit committee
strategic direction and implementation
and monitoring committee. The Board
of the Programme will be maintained.
will be specifically responsible for the
6.3.2
How will this structure be organised at management level? Please make clear who will be the person(s) having the final responsibility for global leadership of the project?
The Limerick 2020 Team will be formed
consultative in nature and will not have
2020 and will initially be heavily involved
on receipt of the designation, with a team
Board or operational roles.
in devising, curating and negotiating
of 10 being employed in the second half of
projects and events consistent with the
2016 growing to 20 direct employees in
The CEO will have overall responsibility
objectives of Limerick 2020. The Artistic
2019. This core team would be
for the global leadership of Limerick 2020
Director will have responsibility for
augmented with procured contracts for
reporting directly to the Board and will
delivering the Programme, managing
specific actions such as Production, PR
work with the Artistic Director and the
the programmers and control of individual
and Media and various logistics over 2019
Director of Planning and Operations to
agreed event budgets.
and 2020. The core Limerick 2020 team
deliver the project, in tandem with the
would also be augmented from 2017
sub-committees and advisory group.
onwards in terms of administration,
The Director of Planning and Operations will have responsibility for Finance,
technical and financial support, fully-
The Artistic Director will take overall
Operations and Communications. Working
funded, postgraduate student
responsibility for the development and
with managers for Finance, Operations
placements, interns and volunteers.
delivery of the cultural programme that
and Communications, the Director will
has been approved by the Board and will
oversee all aspects of the operation of
operate under the direction of the CEO.
the project from budget, communications
The Limerick 2020 Team will be supported by an advisory group, which
and marketing, sponsorship, and project
will participate in developing the
The Artistic Director will play a pivotal role
manage all operational aspects.
programme, assist in communications
in the process of connecting with the
Limerick 2020 Limited will be subject
and in monitoring and evaluation. The
Region, stakeholders and cultural
to an independent audit by a professional
group will be made of representatives
producers across Europe, and devising,
accounting firm on an annual basis
from the Culture Sector, Education,
communicating and delivering the Artistic
in accordance with Company Law
Community, Local Authority, Business
Programme. The role will be required over
and International Accounting and
and Industry. This group will be
the five years leading up to and including
Auditing Standards.
92
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section VI - Management
6.3.3
How will you ensure that this structure has the staff with the appropriate skills and experience to plan, manage and deliver the cultural programme for the year of the title?
The Board will be directly responsible for
have an amazing pipeline of creatives
Appropriate and relevant skills are a
the appointment of both the CEO and
emerging annually from our third level
critical issue in ensuring success and it
the Artistic Director. These appointments
education sector or returning following
will be essential for the Board and CEO to
will be made after open competition in
postgraduate experience abroad. We
ensure that the selection process reflects
accordance with Public Sector standard
will utilise experience gained in 2014
this critical issue. Appointment of other
appointment processes. The ECOC
to bring together the right combination
senior management team members will
designation will create a great opportunity
of skills, talents and temperaments to
therefore require Board approval, under
for local, National and European
successfully creatively devise and deliver
advice from the CEO.
colleagues to apply to join the Limerick
our Programme and associated activities.
2020 team. Ireland has a very talented
Additional staff will be recruited by open
cultural sector, many of whom work
The recruitment of senior team members
competition, under the direction of the
mainly in Dublin or abroad for experience
will be made through open competition in
CEO and senior managers.
and lack of local opportunities. We also
accordance with Local Authority practices.
6.3.4
Organisational Structure 93
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section VI - Management
6.3.5
How will you make sure that there is an appropriate cooperation between the local authorities and this structure including the artistic team? Three elected members of Limerick City and County Council will be appointed to the Board, including the Mayor (who is an elected member in a role which rotates annually). In addition, the Board will include the Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council. This ensures that the Local Authority is well represented at Board level, (representing c. 30% of the Board) and that the entire Council has the means to obtain regular updates from fellow members or the Chief Executive. The presence of the Chief Executive of
This model was used in Limerick
Limerick City and County Council on the
National City of Culture 2014 and
Board ensures that there is continuity of
was very successful in ensuring that
representation for the Council Executive
Limerick City and County Council
and therefore elections, rotation of Mayor
was always fully briefed but sufficiently
or similar events does not unduly disrupt
distant from day-to-day activities.
the flow of information to Council elected members.
6.3.6
According to which criteria and under which arrangements have the general director and the artistic director been chosen – or will be chosen? What are – or will be – their respective profiles? When will they take up the appointment? What will be their respective fields of action?
We will strive to have a world-class team
We recognise the need to have a CEO
We will seek an Artistic Director who
to deliver a successful ECOC. Essentially
with management and leadership skills
will possess:
the team should have a rich tapestry of
and a complete knowledge of cultural
• the appropriate skill set to develop
talents and experience. It is essential
production and related management.
the bid book concepts and projects
that many members of the team have
Limerick 2020 will particularly look to
into a compelling and enthralling
extensive international experience across
recruit a CEO with cross-cultural bridge-
Programme for a local and European
the specialisations required. We would
building skills, capable of relating to a
also strive to guarantee that the make
mixed Board as well as to diverse artistic
up of the team be diverse and inclusive.
talents, given the tremendous remit of the
Limerick, the broad cultural sector
Limerick 2020 will adopt the principles
European Capital of Culture. The CEO will
local and International, and the
and practices of local Government with
be expected to lead the Limerick 2020
regard to recruitment and appointments.
vision in partnership with Limerick City
Open competitions will be held for all
and County Council, its citizens, cultural
a diverse experience of cultural
senior posts and the Board of Directors
practitioners and partnerships across
productions, situations and location.
will have ultimate responsibility for making
Europe.
the appointment of the CEO and Artistic
audience; • can engage with the people of
institutional frameworks; • a rich cultural background and
The Artistic Director will be required to
Director and be responsible for approval
The recruitment of an Artistic Director
develop the artistic programme to a world-
of the other key appointments, under
will be a central focus of the entire
class standard, grounded in Limerick
advice of the CEO.
Programme and success of the year
with a high degree of participation and
and its legacy.
reaching out to European audiences.
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Limerick 2020 Belonging
6.4 6.4.1
Section VI - Management
Contingency planning Have you carried out/planned a risk assessment exercise?
Limerick 2020 Limited utilises a Risk
The Risk Register is divided into sections
are then described for the risk and what
Register, which is continually updated.
– Governance, Operational, Marketing,
assurance that this controls provides.
It reflects the perceived and real risks
Financial and other. Each section
and the plans to manage these risks. It
describes the individual real or perceived
Finally, the Register describes the actions
is a living document and is presented for
risks, applies weights to each risk for
and timings proposed to off-set each risk.
review monthly and updated in response
likelihood and impact and thus develops
Risk Register progress will be reviewed
to critical assessments at Board and
an overall score. This score will fall into
and discussed at Board and management
management level.
red, amber or green categories, red
meetings relative to new risks or
being the highest risk. Control measures
amelioration of existing risks.
6.4.2
What are the main strengths and weaknesses of your project?
Cultural Strengths
and are therefore wholeheartedly behind
participation in and enjoyment of cultural
We have had a chance to practice
Limerick 2020 in financial and support
activity and Limerick 2020 will add to that,
devising, developing and successfully
terms.
opening Limerick to the wider European
delivering a smaller scale cultural
cultural and tourism context.
Programme over a one-year period. We
Creative industry is now seen as an
know that Limerick has the capability to
integral part of the development of
The existing educational links through
develop this expertise and deliver a wider,
Limerick as part of its Limerick 2030
Erasmus and other programmes will be
European-focused cultural programme
Spatial Strategy.
greatly enhanced by Limerick 2020.
infrastructure and is capable of hosting
Limerick need not be falling off the edge
Perceptional weakness
major street theatre, and possesses
of Europe or have the perception that
Limerick has long suffered the perception
indoor venues suited to international
"the next parish is Boston". Limerick’s
as having 'negative image issues'
events and “alternative” venues for
international airport, its access to world-
throughout Ireland and in overseas media.
differing events.
class tourism and its position as a hub
Limerick 2020 must drive away these
in 2020. Limerick has a proven cultural
for all parts of Ireland outside of Dublin, all
perceptions and showcase Limerick as
There is a core of cultural practitioners
suggest that Limerick as a cultural centre
a vibrant, social and fun place to live and
and creatives in place and this is being
can become a destination in its own right.
work and visit – a model for Europe of
augmented annually with graduates
social inclusion, opportunity and vibrancy.
from the Limerick-based Schools of Art
Social Strengths
Limerick 2020’s cultural programme
and Design, of Architecture, of Music,
Limerick is being reclaimed by the people
must work towards re-inventing Limerick’s
of Information Technology, of Dance, of
of Limerick. Its beauty and character,
image internationally.
Language and Literature etc. Limerick is
almost forgotten and neglected, is
putting in place supports to keep these
now being revitalised because of the
graduates in place so that they can find
recognition of culture as a driver of
ways to express their creativity as part of
change. The sense of isolation and
Limerick 2020.
deprivation is no longer prevalent. This process must continue and Limerick
Economic Strengths
2020 will be part of that drive.
Limerick's political and business interests now understand and have evidenced the
All surveys conducted in Limerick
economic benefit of cultural programmes
since 2014 have shown the strength of
95
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section VI - Management
6.4.3
How are you planning to overcome weakness, including through the use of risk mitigation and planning tools, contingency planning, etc. A substantial budget has been planned for Marketing Expenditure. It will be critical that this expenditure contributes to the re-branding of Limerick. A balance will need to be struck between the needs of promoting the year, its Programme events and the overarching desire to show that Limerick is a fun place to visit, live and work. To protect against Programme risk financially, a contingency sum of 3% of the operational budget has been provided for. The artistic programme will also be monitored to measure how it is delivering in terms of the aims of the ECOC projects, its European Dimension, the depth of its Artistic Programme, its reach in terms of outreach and participation and importantly, how it
6.5 6.5.1
achieves its budgetary targets both in income and expenditure. Marketing and communication Could your artistic programme be summed up by a slogan? Belonging is our concept and our slogan and it is defining for Limerick and for Europe. As we face fragmentation and global challenges and perhaps the entire European project under pressure, Belonging has acquired a whole new set of complex meanings and implications. Our concept of Belonging is plural, to quote Elif Ĺžafak 'multiple belongings' which encapsulate how we may come from many places, have many histories and backgrounds but we can all share belonging to a place. For us that place is Limerick and our cultural frame of reference: Europe. Our communication and marketing of Belonging must be global. Limerick and Ireland have a reputation of friendliness and openness and it will be our chosen task to communicate to the international audience that our slogan is not just a slogan. We mean it.
6.5.2
What is the city's intended marketing and communication strategy for the European Capital of Culture year? (in particular with regard to the media strategy and the mobilisation of large audiences. At the final selection stage, consideration must be given in particular to the partnerships planned or established with the written press and the audio-visual sector with a view to ensuring media coverage of the event and of the plans relating to this strategy). LIMERICK TO BE KNOWN IN EUROPE AS A EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND AN EXCITING CITY ON THE WEST COAST OF IRELAND Limerick 2020 recognises the need to establish special marketing and communications systems early in the lead up to Limerick 2020. This will be developed in three stages: 1. A local strategy for communications and partnership development within communities, organisations and media outlets developed (2016/17) 2. A detailed National and International marketing, branding and communications
plan will be developed and aligned with Limerick Council, Regional agencies,
FĂĄilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, media partners and PR Consultants (2016/17)
3. Development of audience segmentation plans in relation to demographics
and geographies for the programme of events and year's timeline (2018)
96
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section VI - Management
Our in-house marketing team will work in close collaboration with
Curious” category. We decided to have a bit of fun with this and
Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, the national bodies tasked with
plan a marketing campaign which invites people from across
supporting tourism promotion in Ireland and overseas. We have
Europe to identify themselves. If you recognise yourself you
already well established and functioning work contacts. As we
Belong in Limerick in 2020. Our targets include Kultural Kurt
have already said earlier, the National Tourism organisations have
and Katja. This couple are avid ECOC travellers. Serious culture
agreed to use Limerick 2020 as an “attack brand” for activities
vultures, they like to explore developments in European civic
in 2019 and 2020. This collaboration is expected to actively
and cultural society and for them the ECOC is a must-see. They
support our efforts to grow international and national awareness
could think of nothing better than relaxing in the White House in
of Limerick, with the ECOC Limerick 2020 as a centrepiece for
Limerick’s main street, following a stunning music performance
cultural and related tourism in Ireland.
at Sonic Union and they’ll be back for more in the autumn.
To ensure maximum communication and subsequent
Sporting Samir and Samantha are avid French rugby fans
participation in the programme, Limerick 2020 will actively
but also like to take in local culture along the way. For them a
engage with:
pilgrimage to Limerick’s Thomond Park whilst, taking part in their
• Active and targeted use of social media – we currently have
other passion immersive gaming in SPÁS.
19,150 followers on our Facebook page, and 11,500 followers on Twitter and 1,213 followers on Instagram. We plan to
Horsey Henry and Henrietta are English racing fans who often
increase these numbers with targeted online campaigns.
pop over to Ireland for the races. Loving a good exhibition or two,
We will use these and other social media platforms to target
and a bit of craic in the evening, the chance to combine all three
specific audiences around particular events locally, nationally
with EVA International and RiverFest Limerick 2020 is too good
and throughout Europe
to miss.
• Traditional press advertising and advertorial, locally, nationally and internationally • International promotion through Tourism Ireland marketing campaigns, using targeted campaigns and variety of
Lively Luka and his buddies from Croatia like to the coolest Festivals. They have heard about the Ireland and Croatia 2020 connection and are fascinated by Electric Eel.
platforms based of on selected territories • We will brand Shannon International Airport with events,
Learning Lars and Lena. Like many Scandinavians, Lars and
display and activities and connect with other airlines to
Lena’s Kommun is keen for them to learn from best practice in
package the Limerick 2020 offering on European and
other Cities. Prompted by their National Cultural Institute (which
US routes
will be targeted directly by Limerick 2020), they have Limerick
• Commission specialised television and radio programmes dealing with the arts and culture • On-street promotion, such as road entrances into the City,
as a “must-visit” destination in both the build up and 2020 itself. They want to hear more about this “active cultural belonging” and the Guinness is a lot cheaper than it is back home.
shop-fronts, street furniture etc., with extensive use of the Limerick 2020 logo • Over 6.5 m trips will be taken by Irish residents out of Ireland
Walking Walter and Willi. Austrian walking buddies Walter and Willi take a group on a walking and cultural tour every year. They
this year. Approximately 42% will be made to the UK and
can’t resist the lure of the Wild Atlantic Way and a chance to
35% to other European destinations – a total of 77%. This
experience a cultural walking pilgrimage on the Great Southern
number is matched by the number of non-resident visits
Trail as part of The Hidden Path.
to Ireland – 7.6 m, of which 5.8 m are from Europe. Limerick 2020 will plan marketing campaigns (including prizes,
Vitas and Virginja are knowledge-hungry cultural learners from
hand-outs etc) around Ireland’s air and seaports to publicise
Lithuania and are looking forward to Lithuania’s European Capital
Limerick as European Capital of Culture. This will be done in
of Culture in 2022. But they want to see what the previous years’
conjunction with the Global Limerick Network in partnership
crews are up to. With flights from both Vilnius and Kaunas to
with Tourism Ireland and Culture Ireland
Shannon airport, and the chance to catch up with some old
• European educational partners will be invited through
the Higher Education Institutes which have over 240
European partners
friends at the same time, what could be better? Above all, however, Limerick 2020 is absolutely committed to ensuring that the quality and range of our Programme makes it
Attracting Europe’s “Culturally Curious” to our Artistic
a must visit International destination. We will also host at least
Programme and to the region.
one event of major international significance in each month
We have identified a number of key groups in the “Culturally
throughout the year.
97
Limerick 2020 Belonging
Section VI - Management
6.5.3
How will you mobilise your own citizens as communicators of the year to the outside world? A key element in encouraging local people to display their “Belonging” to Limerick is having citizens as ambassadors of Limerick 2020. And what better way than through volunteering, even event creation and production. Linked closely to our Outreach activities we will encourage local ambassadors through: • A strong Volunteer Programme, building on the substantial volunteer base
created in 2014, as part of the promotion and delivery of events and tourism ambassador initiatives.
• The ongoing Outreach programme of Cultural Substations, Cultural
Ambassadors and Youth Labs
• Strong Local Consultation Links - the continuation of real and virtual Kitchen
Table Conversations and other formal and informal modes of consultation
around idea generation, project definition, event development and delivery.
• Local buy-in programmes to encourage ownership of individual events or
series of events.
• Direct engagement with specific locations where mass audiences gather – e.g. sports stadia, concert halls, student unions, community hubs, theatres, churches. • Using Limerick’s large student population – we plan to work with schools and universities through appointing ambassadors in each school/college where the
role will be to ensure that information updates are promoted;
• Special interest groups – active retirement groups, clubs and societies. We will
work with such groups as active citizen engagement, with particular focus on community engagement. This will involve a continuing Outreach programme
6.5.4
of communication.
How does the city plan to highlight that the European Capital of Culture is an action of the European Union? Limerick 2020 will incorporate European Capital of Culture branding and logo within its publicity documentation and will give prominence to the role of the Europe Union, including the awarding of the title as an opportunity for PR around the subject of the ECOC action as an initiative of the EU and the possible awarding of the Melina Mercouri prize later on. Limerick has a proud history of involvement in European politics. Limerick 2020 will welcome leading European political and administrative figures to the City and Limerick will become, through its cultural programming, institutions and universities, a focal point for European interaction throughout 2020. Invitations for opening and closing events will be extended throughout the European Union, as will invitations to particular Programme events with a European flavour. For the opening and closing events, we will invite our predecessors Plovdiv and Matera as well as the Greek, Romanian and possibly the non-EU ECOC 2021 and the network of former, current and future ECOC cities, the so-called “ECOC family”.
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Section VII - Additional Information
7
Additional Information ...
We are prepared. We are determined to re-imagine and transform our City, County and hinterland. We will do so by addressing contemporary European issues of the self and the other, the centre and the periphery in a novel and inclusive way. Limerick has the self-confidence, the courage, vision, stamina and support to deliver its unique take on being European Capital of Culture. But most of all we have the appetite to succeed founded and grounded in the mobilisation of our diverse communities, their eclectic energies and their boundless enthusiasm and hope. Pat Cox Member of Limerick 2020 Steering Group, President European Parliament (2003-2004) and former lecturer at University of Limerick which offered Ireland’s first BA in European Studies.
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Section VII - Additional Information
Acknowledgments Bid Team Mike Fitzpatrick, Bid Director Sheila Deegan, Deputy Director Niamh Bowen, Cultural Programmer Paddy Coleman, Financial Controller Mary Conlon , Cultural Programmer Joan Dorman Ryan, Administration Rachael Finucane, Writer and copy editing Pippa Little, Cultural Strategy Evelyn Noonan, Administration Kathy O’Grady, Administration Aoife Potter-Cogan, Project Manager - Events Edel Ryan, Administration Jurgen Simpson, Cultural Programmer Marta Slawinska, Cultural Programmer Assistant International Advisor Nadia Carboni European Experts Airan Berg Marko Bolkovic Kirsty Connell Nadja Grizzo Carlos Martins Neil Peterson Hanns-Dietrich Schmidt Luka Šimić Rossella Tarantino Anamaria Wills
Stakeholders Michael Buckley Cllr Maria Byrne Ursula Callaghan Cllr Shane Clifford Fergus Grant-Stevenson Dave Griffin Gerard Keenan Sean Lally Jennifer Moroney Ward Cllr Tom Neville Cllr Jerry O'Dea
Steering Group (Chair) Don Barry, President University of Limerick Conn Murray, CEO Limerick City & County Council Cllr James Collins, Elected Representative Pat Cox, President European Parliament (2003-2004) Eamonn Cregan, UL Director, Corporate Affairs Louise Donlon, Lime Tree Theatre Cllr Liam Galvin, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick James Greenslade, Limerick School of Art and Design Maria Hinfelaar, Former President LIT Cllr Marian Hurley, Elected Representative Rose Hynes, Chairperson Shannon Group Plc. Patrick Keating, CEO Shannon Foynes Port Company Liam McElligott, CEO Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership Gary O’Brien, MIC Associate Vice President Tim O'Connor, Chair Shannon Consortium James Ring, CEO Limerick Chamber
Cllr Joe Pond Steve Ryan Ryan Cllr Adam Teskey Jenny Traynor Creative Consultants BOP Consulting GM Innovations Bid Book Design Associate
Southern Marketing Design & Media Photography Shane Serrano Fusionshooters Ken Coleman Deirdre Power Creative Director Ciarda Tobin
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Design, Video and Brand Campaign Piquant Corporate Sponsors JP McManus Benevolent Fund The Crescent Shopping Centre Printers Tim Beijer Producties
With Thanks to Limerick City & County Council, Limerick Arts Office, Limerick City Gallery of Art, Adare Library, Askeaton Library, Ballinacurra Weston Family Resource Centre, Belltable Arts Hub, Caim ar Chaim Moyross, Castleconnell Family Resource Centre, Castletroy Retirement Village, Dance Limerick, Deaf Community Centre, DMARC, CSIS UL, Donostia 2016, Doras Luimni, Embassy of France in Ireland, Embassy of Italy in Ireland, Embassy of Latvia to Ireland, Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to Ireland, Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Embassy of Spain in Ireland, Eva International, Friar’s Gate Kilmallock, Garryowen Community Centre, GOSHH (Gender, Orientation, Sexual Health, HIV), Grey Heron Media, Hospital Family Resource Centre, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Kilmallock Family Resource Centre, Learning Hub, Limerick Arts and Culture Exchange, Latvian Activity Centre, Latvian Dance Group Nemiers, Limerick City Traveller Health Advocacy Programme, Limerick County Youth Theatre, Limerick Printmakers, Limerick Youth Service, Lough Gur Heritage Centre, Moyross Community Drama, Moyross Enterprise Centre, Munster Images, Northside Active Age Group, Northside Misfits, Novas, Ormston House, Palls, Paul Partnership, Rathkeale Arts Centre, Rosary Hill House Nursing Home, RTE Lyric FM, Salon du Chat, Slavic Inspirations, Southill Family Resource Centre, St. Mary’s Aid, Tom Collins Signs, The Cranberries, Watch House Cross Library, Moyross, West End Youth Centre, Indulis Antsons, Katherine Barnecutt, Eoin Barry, Kevin Barry, Asier Basurto, Joanne Beirne, Lian Bell, Mihai Bilauca, Mary Blackmore, Ann Blake, Dominique Bouchard, Niamh Brown, Jimmy Browne, Karen Broshnahan, Conor Buckley, Roisin Buckley, Carla Burns, Javier BuronGarcia, Lisa Cahill, Matthew Cannon, Sinead Carey, Bernadine Carroll, Emer Casey, Yuyu Chien, Bernard Clarke, Caroline Collier, Shane Cullinane, Peter Curtin, Justyna Cwojdzińska , Andrew Cybosskey, Jamie Daly, John Davitt, Rachel Deegan, Vincent Dermody, Patrick Dickie, Mark Dion, Marketa Dowling, Pat Dowling, John Drever, Sabine Egger, Tracy Fahey, Gillian Fenton, Michael Finneran, Jochaim Fisher, Karen Fitzgibbon, Alberto Flores, Barry Foley, Michael G Kelly, Angele Galea, Marcus Gammel, Holly Gramazio - Matheson Marcault, Sven Hartberger, Grainne Hassett, Chris Hayes, Sinead Hope, Michelle Houlden, Eileen Humphreys, Boris Hunka, Anna Hurkowska, Lizanne Jackman, Marcin Jakubowski, Simon Johnson, Godknows Jonas, Sandra Joyce, Suzanne Junkova, Ciara Kane, Joan Keenan, Karen Keenan, Ailbhe Kenny, Leonie Kerins, Woodrow Kernohan, Sharon Kiely, Stephen Kinsella, Ewa Kotuła, Aiga Kunicka, Joanna Kurylonska, Tony Langlois, Angelika Leitner, Marilyn Lennon, Eric Leonardson, Tom Lewis, Christa-Maria Lerm Hayes, Katrīna Līdaka, Susan Liddy, John Lillis, Maeve Liston, Francisco Lopez, Maiija Ludzite, Shane MacCurtain, Edmond Magner, Annika Magnusson, Tiziana Margaria , Chantal McCormick, Sinead McDonnell, Gary McMahon, Kathy McLoughlin, Anca Minescu, John Moran, Anne Marie Morrin, Delphine Munro, Eadaoin Ni Churtain, Eilis Ni Leathlobhair, Riona Nic Curtain, Niamh Nic Ghabhann, Aodan O Dubhghaill, Damien O’ Connell, Karen O’ Donnell O’ Connor, Enda O’ Donoghue, Mags O’ Donoghue, Miriam O’Flynn, Naomi O’ Kelly, Tara O’ Shea Robinson, Hilary O’Shaughnessy, Ray O'Halloran, Agnes Orzoy, Kate O'Shea, Patrick O'Sullivan, Liz Page, Zoran Pantelić, Ivana Peranic, Helen Phelan, Liz Pugh, Fiona Quinn, Jason Reddan, Eimear Redmond, Annmarie Ryan, Donal Ryan, Laura Ryan, Susan Ryan, Angie Smalis, Allyson Spellacy, Monica Spencer, Charlotte Spencer, Novas McGarry House, Michael Straeubig, Anita Suplinska, Milica Tanasijevic, Paul Tarpey, Sean Taylor, Lisa Topi, Kathleen Turner, Joanna Ufnalska, Aintzane Usandizaga, Neringa Vaitiekunaite, Kristine Walshe, Tony Watene, Bri Walsh, Thorsten Weidemann, Simon Whitehead, Paul Williams, Karen Wood, Mary Wycherley, Tom Collins, Lindsey Holmes, Oliver Smith, Kevin King, Sean Curtin, Michael Mullen, John Greenwood, John Murphy, Jasmin Chiodi, Nigel Dugdale, Susan Ryan, Lizanne Jackman, Tara Kerri, Ivan Tuohy, Siobhan Mulcahy, Kevin Kiely Jr, Caoimhin Corrigan, Gimena Blanco, Peter Barley, Fiona Booth, Lucia Brunetti, Dave Burns, Maeve Butler, Fiona Byrne, Tom Cassidy, Anthony Coleman, Bernadette Collins, Pauline Collins, John Daly, Eoin Devereux, Maria Donoghue, Ursula Dundon, Charlotte Eglington, Sheila Fitzpatrick O’Donnell, Marie Hackett, Seamus Hanrahan, Mary Hartney, Jacqui Hayes, Eithne Hehir, Michele Horrigan, Matt Kelly, Bernadette Kiely, John King, John Liddy, Gerry Lombard, Sean Lynch, Eleanor McSherry, Úna McCarthy, Bertha McCullagh, Sinead McDonnell, Diarmuid McIntyre, Paul McLaughlin, Liam Meade, Peter Moles, Robert Moloney, Patricia Moriarty, Brendan Mulcahy, Frank Murray, Hugh Murray, Sarah Newell, Cáit ni Cheallacháin, Liam O’Brien, Mike O’Brien, Joseph O’Connor, Eadáoin O’Neill, Tom O'Neill, William O’Neill, Michelle O’Riordan, Paul Patton, Matthew Potter, Professional Limerick Artists Network, Sarah Quinlan, Caoimhe Reidy, Ger Reidy, Suzanne Rowley, Joanne Ryan, Lise-Ann Sheahan, Amanda Slattery, Jessica Tobin, Adrian Wells, Deirdre Wilson, Nicky Woulfe, Hari Krishna Tikkam Masthaniah, Jing Zeng, Deirdre Kerins, Shauna Browne, Stephanie Kluck, Hua Tong, Mei Wang, Rachel Harrisson, Isabella Donche, Karen Dobson, Caio Muller Das Neves, Sean Howley, Barry Rodgers, Huajun Gao, Vid Lihteneker, Shaoai Bao, Lu Yang, Han Huang, Yixuan wang, Yuxiao Pei, Alice Nolan, Jamie Donnelly, Chantal Demonty Cercos, Eirini Kasapidou, Sihua Xie
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