At City Quay in Dublin, a new culture venture could be the blueprint for contemporary art spaces.
The City Arts Centre was officially opened with a reception in Dublin.
The centre will provide space and facilities for a wide variety of artistic endeavour.
Sandy Fitzgerald, Grapevine Arts Centre and one of the leaders of the City Arts project, outlines the facilities to be provided. The basement of the building will house a rehearsal space for rock music, there will be a performance space, a restaurant, a crèche, and room for people working in print, design, architecture, photography and hair dressing. There will also be facilities for international artists.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be around half a million pounds, with funding coming from both the public and private sectors.
Dublin band U2 have sponsored the building of four rehearsal rooms for bands. U2 manager, Paul McGuinness, explains that the band works nearby at Windmill Lane and wanted to give something back to the city. One of the biggest challenges for young bands in Dublin is finding a place to work.
Whenever arts funding is discussed, no one ever thinks about pop music.
Michael D Higgins is a member of the board of directors of the City Centre. He says the arts should be a normal part of life and pays tribute to the work of Sandy Fitzgerald and his team in realising the project.
This episode of 'TV GAGA' was broadcast on 28 November 1985. The reporter is Liam Mackey.
