The economic downturn has had negative affects across all sectors of society, including the arts, but the support of Galway businesses will ensure TULCA goes ahead this year.
The TULCA Festival of Visual Arts returns to the city from November 6 to 21, utilising various spaces across Galway city for exhibitions by Irish and international artists, as well as hosting a programme of workshops and talks.
Although the changed economic environment has had huge ramifications for the arts in Ireland, those behind Tulca 2010 have acknowledge the continued support and generosity of Galway businesses, the Galway City Council, and the Arts Council.
“Without this support the festival would be unable to operate on such a large scale,” said TULCA administrator Anna McCarthy. “Sponsorship by local businesses is an integral part of TULCA and 2010 is no exception as a range of businesses have come on board to assist the festival in various ways.”
Ms McCarthy said such support underlines the importance of the visual arts to Galway, and the importance of the arts in general to its people.’ Last year’s festival attracted more than 3,000 visitors.
Some 36 artists will exhibit across 12 venues and many of this year’s exhibition spaces are buildings made available by their owners and businesses to the festival. The curator for TULCA 2010 will be Michelle Browne from Bohermore. She is an award-winning artist and the founder of Out Of Site, a festival of live art in public spaces in Dublin.
The TULCA 2010 programme will be announced later this month. See www.tulca.ie
