Crawford and IMMA galleries reveal details of 'unprecedented' €1m spend on new art

Galleries combine to purchase 400 pieces by 70 contemporary artists in hugely significant boost to the national collection. Twenty-three Cork artists included in the acquisitions 

Mary McCarthy, director Crawford Art Gallery, with artists Tom Climent and Debbie Godsell. Both artists have had pieces purchased by the gallery in a major series of acquisitions. In the foreground is a sculpture by Michael Quane, another piece that has been acquired by the Crawford.  Picture: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Details have been unveiled today (Wednesday) of a hugely-significant series of acquisitions by two of Ireland's major art galleries. The Crawford Art Gallery in Cork and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in Dublin have spent €1m between them over the past six months, collaborating in the purchase of more than 400 pieces by 70 artists.

The funds had been allocated to the galleries in October 2020 by Minister Catherine Martin, and the subsequent acquisitions represent one of the most significant bulk additions to the National Collection since the founding of the state.