THE Arts Council has just announced its intention to spend £1 million on a purpose built centre for dance, probably in Dublin. This is the largest (and many would argue, most sorely needed) single project in an allocation of £2.35 million in capital grant aid to arts organisations and arts projects throughout Ireland over a number of years.
Other good news for dance is that the Firkin Crane Centre, Cork, will receive £24,000 for dance equipment.
The main focus of this year's capital allocations has been the refurbishing and upgrading of existing arts facilities.
"Since 1995, the Arts Council has earmarked £1 million of its annual budget for capital funding, to fund the arts in three areas: equipment, small building and repairs, and major proposals," explained the development director, Ms Mary Cloak. The reason that this year's allocation was £2.35 million was that many of the schemes to receive funding would take several years to realise.
An innovative scheme called the Music Instrument Fund of Ireland will receive £90,000, spread over three years, to establish a pool of high quality musical instruments for loan to talented musicians.
Some £150,000 has been allocated towards a Piano Purchase Incentive Scheme, to assist local authorities to buy a good piano for musicians in their area.
The Backwater Artists Group and Cork Printmakers have been awarded £250,000 towards the establishment of a major studio and print workshop in a listed building in Cork's city centre.
The community of Virginia, Co Cavan, will receive £40,000 towards the conversion of an old church into a theatre based centre for the arts. The Film Institute of Ireland, Dublin, will receive £72,000 towards an overhaul of its film archive and for refurbishment.
A number of arts centres have received funding towards upgrading and refurbishment, including Triskel Arts Centre, Cork, the Wexford Arts Centre and Siamsa Tire, Tralee.
"Providing good buildings and facilities for the arts is central to their development," says Ms Patricia Quinn, director of the Arts Council.
"While the level of demand on our capital budget still far outstrips the resources available, the Arts Council has a fundamental commitment to the creation and support of an arts infrastructure countrywide."
Some 70 arts organisations and communities, from Co Down to Co Tipperary, have benefitted from the allocations.