Galway bids for City of Culture crown
Galway is preparing a bid to be named Ireland’s city of culture for Europe in 2020.
Galway City Council is actively putting together a submission, though the local authority is still waiting to know if they will be invited to put in a submission.
That announcement is due in the next week or so and if Galway’s name is in the hat, the Council will draw up a committee involving a number or bodies and individuals already involved in the arts and culture.
A spokesman for the Council said the submission would be driven by them but would draw on experience and knowledge from others around the city.
In 2020, both Ireland and Croatia will each host a cultural capital to be known as a European City of Culture.
If chosen, Galway will be given €1.5 million towards a programme of year long events, though this has to be met by Government funds and is estimated to account for a 10% increase in tourist numbers.
Galway also bid for the title in 2005 but Cork secured it that year. Dublin has also enjoyed the title previously so those two cities will be exempt from bidding for it this time.
“We are waiting for the expressions of interests to be announced soon and if we are on that list, we will progress our submission, with the help of others in arts, culture and tourism aspects of the city,” said the Galway City Council spokesman.
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.