This Cork community arts group needs a new home immediately

Despite facilitating a Guinness World Record and just under 1000 events this year alone, one of the largest community arts centres in Ireland faces immediate closure unless a building can be found in Cork city centre. 

Camden Palace Hotel Community Arts Centre, which is in existance since 2009, is appealing for assistance to find a premises of at least 10,000 square feet.

The group has supported collaboration within the arts, between artists, business and the public since 2009, and has hosted a multitude of diverse events.

In 2015, Camden Palace facilitated 555 classes, 84 film screenings, 12 plays, 15 photo/video shoots, nine concerts, 10 visual art exhibitions, five festivals, three conferences, 11 community events, five fundraisers, the recording of five music album LPs, 256 art therapy classes and it was the setting of a Guinness World Record.

This does not include individual resident artists’ work and activities, nor rehearsal time.

"We are a very strong and vibrant community arts group that embraces the opportunity to evolve and are looking forward to the challenge of developing new premises," says General Manager Eoin Gallagher.

"Camden Palace has built a dance studio, a theatre/cinema auditorium, fully equipped workshops, project space, a traditional dark room, a concert venue room, plus a music rehearsal & recording studio recently officially approved in Rory Gallagher’s honour.

"In addition, we facilitate artist studios, the radio station ‘Room 101’ and print making facilities.

"When the building was sold earlier this year, the board of management immediately began to search for alternatives. Despite several promising possibilities, all have come to nothing so far.

"From the end of this month, Camden Palace will be homeless."

"The building itself is not particularly important, as artists we work with the canvas provided but a central location is essential for the large majority of the community organisations using our space. For them, accessibility and proximity is a key element" Gallagher continues.

"The evolution of Camden Palace Hotel is one of the true success stories to come out of the recession. Remarkably, it has achieved this without public funding.

"The self-sustaining not for profit community arts centre operates with the modest income that it generates on its own.

"After 6 and a half wonderful years, Camden Palace Hotel Community Arts Centre is in need of a new home.

"From humble beginnings in what was an empty derelict building, Camden Palace has built an international reputation based on the public’s reaction to the inclusive environment, variety and quality of its programmes, residencies and events."

If you can help Camden Palace Hotel Community Arts Centre find a new home, please ring 021 4552383 or email [e-mail].

They can also be found on Facebook and Twitter