By Paddy Henry
NUI Galway have announced a strategic partnership with Galway 2020, European Capital of Culture.
As an official legacy partner, the University will support the development of a cultural legacy programme which will have a lasting impact on Galway’s creative arts sector. The multi-strand partnership will aim to support Galway 2020’s legacy commitments in several areas, including the hosting of events, support for performing arts and the launching of projects within the University to coincide with the event.
Events set to take place on campus as part of the partnership include three gala concerts, the final of Cellissimo, an international triennial cello festival, Project Baa Baa, a programme of events celebrating all things sheep, and a major international conference on cultural legacy organised by the University. Added to this, the college will play its part in the closing ceremony of Galway’s year as European Capital of Culture, with the quadrangle set to play host to a light installation in January 2021.
The University will also monitor and evaluate the European capital of Culture programme over the course of the year in collaboration with the arts and culture charity, The Audience Agency. As part of the University’s monitoring of the event, NUI Galway will conduct an innovative European research project, gathering and analysing data to assess the impact of the European Capital of Culture designation on Galway City and County.
President of the University Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh welcomed the partnership, stating that the collaboration will “enhance and enrich” the University’s creative programmes. Speaking at the launch of the partnership, Ó hÓgartaigh said, “As a university for the public good, we are delighted to announce our strategic partnership with Galway 2020. As the official legacy partner to the European Capital of Culture project, NUI Galway is committed to respecting and supporting the development of a cultural legacy programme, which will leave a far-reaching impact on Galway City and its hinterland. We value our openness to our communities and are therefore also delighted to make available our campus to several events throughout 2020 as well as hosting our own dedicated projects. This partnership will enable the University to continue to enhance and enrich the excellence of our creative and cultural programmes for our students, ensuring that they enjoy a sustainable future contributing to this sector in Galway.”
Chairman of 2020 Arthur Lappin also praised the partnership with the University, hailing it as “significant”, stating, “The legacy of Galway 2020 will be the ultimate measure of our success as European Capital of Culture. The announcement today that NUI Galway is our legacy partner is a hugely significant moment in the evolution of the project. The depth and breadth of our partnership is a huge tribute to NUI Galway and its President, of the vision and leadership in our common goals. Legacy will take many forms and it is so reassuring to know that when the work of Galway 2020 is done, this great institution will carry the torch of underpinning our legacy in so many ways”.