Submission to Development Plan October 2008
O.C.A.C.I. SUBMISSION TO TULLAMORE TOWN DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2010 -2016.
THE PAST
Offaly Community Arts Centre Initiative (O.C.A.C.I.) was formed in 2000 to promote the idea of an Arts Centre for Tullamore and Offaly and to encourage the County Council to apply for ACCESS 1 grant aid available at that time.
From 2000 to 2008 many discussions and meetings have been held by many different organisations including OCACI and Members and Officials of Offaly County Council. A Study on the Arts in Offaly was carried out in 2002 to which OCACI made a submission stating the need for an arts facility in Tullamore. Much publicity has been given over the years to many ‘false alarms’ with headlines such as ‘New Arts Centre for Tullamore’. The bottom line is, as a community we may be no further on now than we were eight years ago, i.e. we still do not have a dedicated arts centre.
THE PRESENT
In the past eight years, Tullamore has grown dramatically. New site areas have emerged through this development which we now must consider in the context of 2008 and beyond. While in 2000 the ‘Library’ site was considered the best option by OCACI (and the County Council). - and it still may be. However, this option may not now be the preferred choice due to recent and planned commercial development. This includes the most recently announced ‘Coens’ site development, among others.
Offaly Co. Council was successful in obtaining €2M grant aid in the most recent Government grant aid under the ACCESS 2 funding for the arts. In a press release in February 2008 OCACI stated, that it would be a crime if this money was lost for any reason, as the opportunity for this amount of grant aid may not arise again.
THE FUTURE
Any Arts facility being considered should plan for future need and growth of the community it serves. Population growth is expected to grow in Tullamore to c.30,000 persons by 2020 – 12 years time. We must also plan for regional growth with Tullamore as one of the three main focal points of the Midlands gateway region.
Education will play a primary role in the sustainability of any arts facility. Performing and Visual art forms in all disciplines should be encouraged through provision of suitable workshop space and also gallery space to exhibit art work. Training workshops should be considered as part of a possible 3rd level outreach programme in co-operation with a higher level institute, or possibly establish a new Midlands/National Institute for the arts.