Windfall for arts groups as €173,000 funding announced

WATERFORD City Council has agreed an arts funding package that will see €173,000 shared by 29 organisations in the city.

An independent adjudication panel recommended how the money should be distributed among those seeking funding after the council’s contribution to the Arts Scheme was advertised.

The largest allocations will go to Garter Lane Arts Centre, which gets €33,000. The Theatre Royal gets €30,500; Waterford International Festival of Light Opera gets €19,000, while the Spraoi festival is to get an extra €18,000. Other beneficiaries include the Red Kettle TheatreCompany, which gets €12,500, and Waterford Youth Drama which gets €12,300.

Speaking after the funding programme had been sanctioned by the council, Mayor of Waterford Cllr Hilary Quinlan said the funding would assist the organisations involved to deliver excellent arts and culture events in 2006.

“Waterford City Council rightly takes pride in this city’s great tradition of excellence in the arts, and this funding scheme allows us provide backing to local groups who are doing tremendous work to ensure that the people of our city and visitors alike can enjoy good access to performances across all of the arts,” he said.

“Indeed, a review of the list of organisations to receive backing gives an insight to the wide range of arts and culture activity in our city.”

City manager Conn Murray said the council was proud to help finance the arts in Waterford.

“Festivals, plays, concerts and other artistic activity form a key part of what makes Waterford an attractive to place to live in or visit,” he said.

“Given this, it is appropriate that Waterford City Council should support as wide a spread of activity in this area as is possible.”