Galway City Council Night-Time Economy and Galway Arts Centre are excited to announce the launch of ‘’Thursday Lates,’’ a six-month pilot programme extending its opening hours to provide greater access to arts and culture in Galway City. Starting April 3rd, the centre will remain open every Thursday evening from 10 am to 9 pm, for a six-month period. This initiative directly aligns with feedback from consultations for the Galway City Night-Time Economy Action Plan 2024-2025, which highlighted the extension of cultural venue opening hours as a key priority for the community. It also aligns with the Night-Time Economy Taskforce recommendations and the Program for Government’s objective to promote later opening hours at cultural venues, offering flexible access for visitors and supporting the expansion of related services.
In addition to the existing exhibitions, a series of events will be added during ‘’Thursday Lates’’ to enhance the evening experience further. A detailed schedule of these events will be available on the Galway Arts Centre website. Throughout the pilot, Galway Arts Centre will gather public feedback to understand visitor motivations and identify any operational challenges or opportunities. This information will improve public access, reach a wider audience, and develop sustainable models for future extended hours.
‘’We are thrilled to launch ‘Thursday Lates’ in partnership with Galway City Council to offer our community the opportunity to engage with the centre outside of traditional daytime hours,’’ said Megs Morley, Director of Galway Arts Centre. ‘’We encourage everyone to take advantage of this pilot programme and experience the vibrant arts scene in a new light. Your participation is vital to the success of this initiative and will help shape the future of cultural access in Galway Arts Centre.’’
Galway City Council Night-Time Economy Advisor, Kate Howard states, ‘’I am delighted to support and partner with Galway Arts Centre on the development of this initiative. ‘Thursday Lates’ aligns with the goals of the Night-Time Economy Action Plan, and we believe it will enhance the cultural offerings available to our residents and visitors after traditional working hours.’’
A Call to Action:
Galway Arts Centre invites all residents and visitors to explore ‘’Thursday Lates’’ and discover the city’s rich cultural offerings. Whether revisiting a favourite exhibit or experiencing something new, your presence will contribute to the program’s success. This initiative is supported by Galway City Council’s Night-Time Economy and the Department of Arts, Culture, Media, Communications and Sport.
