There actually aren’t very many venues of a comparable size and acoustic quality, in a prime city centre location, able to host smaller-sized classical concerts, especially during the evening hours. Certainly we’re well behind other European cities of comparable size in that respect, although the redevelopment of the NCH will add more opportunity.

I’ve attended many concerts at the Arts Centre over the years, and the fact that this lovely space, in one of the most important architectural complexes in the city, is going to be turned into a wax museum (!!) frankly turns my stomach

I really enjoy your blog and in this instance, I have to defend Bank of Ireland. Yes, like other arts centres around the country commercial pressures have had an impact on the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre and ultimately its regrettable closure.

It should be noted that Bank of Ireland have continued many other aspects of their arts and cultural commitments which can be seen on their website.
http://www.bankofireland.com/about_us_new/in_the_community/sponsorships/bank_of_ireland_art_collection/index.html

The Bank’s commitment to Arts and Culture includes Regional Art Exhibitions, which present museum quality exhibitions in arts centres annually around the country. They have also made substantial gifts from their collection to the state which are currently on show at IMMA. You can see more details here. http://www.modernart.ie/en/page_196975.htm

In addition to these, the development of Bank of Ireland’s corporate collection over recent years has resulted in substantial purchases of artwork from many Irish artists. A large proportion of this budget is dedicated to artists based in regional locations.

I think it should also be noted that within a couple of hundred meters radius of the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre there are many other venues, studios and galleries that provide equivalent resources for the Dublin arts and cultural scene. Rather than brand the closure of the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre as a ‘disgrace’, I would commend Bank of Ireland on an arts and cultural investment strategy which has seen some of its focus shift to regional locations.

Looking forward to discussing further!

Andrew Hetherington – Project Director, Business to Arts and MA Alumni!