Vacant Galway properties sought for use as art spaces
The owners of vacant properties in Galway have been asked to express an interest in renting out their buildings for use by visual artists.
Galway City Council and Adapt Galway are seeking city property owners who would be interested in allowing their empty buildings to be used for creative and cultural purposes.
The initiative would guarantee landlords an income stream and a reduction in rates, while providing the city with an improvised municipal art gallery in the short- to medium-term.
A proposed pilot project would give artists a home to showcase their work for a nominal fee, while providing a potential landlord with some income between commercial lettings.
Adapt have been working out of a docklands warehouse for the past couple of years, but are now seeking a new home as Galway Harbour Company progress a multi-million development plan.
“The Shed down by the docks was being used by Adapt Galway for a rotating series of visual arts exhibitions,” said a spokesman for the City Council.
“The Vacant Spaces Initiative is a practical solution which may suit everybody in the short to medium term.
“We have a long history in Galway of people working in the arts taking up vacant spaces. This initiative would allow the temporary occupancy of vacant buildings for a nominal rent; while there might not be capital funding available for a new municipal art gallery.”
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