Life

Dublin art exhibition to attract 150,000 visitors

07.07.2010
The Dublin Contemporary 2011 art exhibition, which is due to get underway this September, is set to be the largest contemporary art event of its kind and scale ever held in Ireland and could attract as many as 150,000 visitors to the capital, the Minister for Culture Mary Hanafin TD has said.

This major new exhibition of leading and emerging Irish and international contemporary art will be showcased across a number of landmark sites in Dublin city centre over an eight-week period from 6 September to 31 October 2011.

DC2011 aims to bring together cultural institutions across the city with private galleries and art installations in the public realm to create a city-wide exhibition.

It is expected that the exhibitions will be held in various locations from the Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square through Temple Bar, onto venues on Thomas Street, and ultimately to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Exhibition venues will also include spaces not normally associated with visual arts events such as libraries and music venues.

Using similar international cultural events as templates, it is anticipated that Dublin Contemporary 2011 will attract 150,000 visitors. Of this total, 62,500 will come from overseas. The event will also directly generate 30 jobs, with more short-term opportunities for greater numbers.

Minister Hanafin pointed out that Dublin is well placed as a destination for cultural tourism as the vast majority of visitors to the capital fall into the ‘cultural seekers’ category.

The exhibition will work to extend this existing market base for cultural tourism and it is estimated that it could bring in an estimated €13.5m into the Irish economy.

“Dublin Contemporary 2011 will be the largest contemporary art event of its kind and scale ever held in Ireland and will provide a highlight for cultural tourism in Ireland on a global scale,” Minister Hanafin said. “DC2011 will be an internationally recognised and acclaimed contemporary art event in the city and will be located in over 100,000 square feet of exhibition space around Dublin. It will follow in the successful tradition of major art events such as the Biennale, which is strong and well tested in Europe and worldwide in terms of both concept and achieving high visitor numbers.

“The timing of the exhibition is intended to link with the European calendar of international art exhibitions and art fairs and will attract the attention and investment of the international art world.”

According to the Minister, the event will be “a bold and positive statement about the cultural potential for the future of our city and will create a legacy for cultural excellence”.