DUBLIN.- IMMA, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, today launched a new fund designed to support the future of contemporary art in Ireland – IMMA 1000. A reaction to the devastating cuts experienced by the Arts sector in recent years IMMA 1000 is initially a three year fundraising programme 2016 – 2018. The fund launches with €60,000 which IMMA plans to double in year one through donations of €1,000 each from 60 visionary individuals.

IMMA Director Sarah Glennie said; “IMMA 1000 is a new fund specifically created to support our work with Irish artists in the drastically altered social and economic environment we find ourselves in today. Severe cuts in arts funding since 2008 have had a devastating effect on supports available directly to contemporary artists, and as a result artists simply cannot afford to live and work in Ireland, creating a huge concern for the future of Irish art, and contemporary Irish culture.”

“Artists tell us about ourselves, they challenge us; they create space for difference, debate and imagination. Their voice is an essential part of a vibrant and dynamic society and it is essential that we value artists and create a sustainable base for them in Ireland. With IMMA 1000 we want to create a support infrastructure for working Irish artists today, securing the ecosystem for the future.”

IMMA 1000 will do this in three key ways;

- Supporting artists to live and work in Ireland through bursaries and the IMMA residency programme.

- Supporting artists’ income through commissions and exhibitions.

- Supporting artists’ work through the purchasing of work for the IMMA Collection.

IMMA has been supported in this initiative by Goodbody as the exclusive corporate founding partner for IMMA 1000. As Ireland’s longest established stockbroking firm, Goodbody understands the importance of creating a legacy today for future generations. That’s why it has made a firm commitment to contribute significant funds to this important initiative over three years.

“Goodbody has high regard for IMMA and the work it does. We believe artists deserve a secure place in Irish society,” said Roy Barrett, Goodbody Managing Director. “Goodbody wants to help to build and sustain the cultural institutions that make art viable in Ireland. IMMA 1000 is a project of real ambition that we are honoured to support.”

IMMA 1000 was conceived on behalf of IMMA by businessman John Cunningham, Director CheckRisk, who responded to a talk by IMMA Director Sarah Glennie to a group of business leaders in 2014. He was struck by the critical difficulties, outlined by Sarah, facing artists in Ireland following the economic crisis. John, together with a group of founding donors, has already raised €20,000 for the initiative creating, with Goodbody, a founding fund of €60,000 in year one.

“In the business world we frequently hear concerns about ‘brain drain’ in Ireland; where the most talented and promising graduates and young leaders are leaving the country due to the economic crises, creating a void in the future ecosystem. We should be equally alarmed about the hundreds of artists who are no longer able to live and work in Ireland. Artists are crucial in forming and communicating our valuable cultural identity, a vital asset to Irish business abroad and a vital need for Irish people at home. We have to do something tangible to create the future we want for our country, and I want a future with Irish art, something we can achieve together through IMMA 1000.”

Speaking at the launch, leading Irish artist Gerard Byrne, also an IMMA Board member, said; “As an artist working in Ireland for the last twenty years I’ve seen first-hand how critical it is that our arts institutions are enabled to support artists’ ongoing practice and the making and collecting of their work. Artists have a significant contribution to make to a country’s wellbeing and as an artist working internationally it is very clear to me the benefits to a society where artists are valued. We must value our artists and IMMA must be enabled to invest in their future by investing in the present. Simply put, IMMA 1000 can support this investment.”

Why Now?
Substantial cuts in arts funding since 2008 have had a devastating effect on supports available directly to contemporary artists. Arts organisations such as IMMA have also seen cuts of close to 50% in their government funding resulting in fewer acquisitions for public collections, fewer commissions of new work and reduced artist fees.

Overall these combined cuts create an overwhelming reduction in the funding that institutions such as IMMA can use to directly support artists. The commercial art market in Ireland also faces considerable challenges. As organisations slowly start to rebuild after years of successive cuts it is essential that IMMA is able to actively support Irish artists so that Ireland will remain a viable place for them to live and work into the future. If not, the effect of their loss will be felt for generations to come.