Crawford a big fan of new funding

The Crawford Art Gallery is set to receive substantial funding for the installation of a new air conditioning system.

The announcement was made by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, during a visit to the gallery on Friday.

The sum of €183,500 will be given to the gallery for work associated with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The funding will ensure that the Crawford Art Gallery meets the operational requirements for a national cultural Institution.

The minister noted that the capital grant, which is just one of a number of initiatives between the department and the gallery, would enable the Crawford to continue its wide-ranging and successful exhibition programme.

The minister has been working in partnership with Crawford Art Gallery in relation to the development of the building as set out in the department's Project 2040 Plan.

During her visit, the minister was advised of the upcoming projects for 2020 which include hosting the Zurich Portrait Prize in January next year in collaboration with the National Gallery of Ireland in Cork for the first time. This is the first time the exhibition will travel outside Dublin.

Minister Madigan noted and welcomed the “important role” played by the Crawford as the only national cultural institution located in its entirety outside Dublin.

The minister also congratulated noted the success of the gallery’s Sunday openings and new family friendly schedule which sees the gallery open to the public seven days a week.