Minister Catherine Martin awards over €620,000 in funding for After Hours at the Museum Grant Scheme

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin , has allocated awards worth over €620,000 to museums and galleries under the After Hours at the Museum Grant Scheme announced earlier this year.

The scheme aims to support museums and galleries to keep their doors open later through the hosting of evening events.

The funding will support 51 organisations and over 220 events across Ireland, covering poetry, film, dance, literature, music, theatre, visual arts and multidisciplinary projects.

For a full list of grant recipients click here.

“I am really encouraged by the response to this scheme and the imaginative, diverse range of events which will take place right across the country as result of this initiative, said Minister Martin upon announcing the award.

“I hope this will attract new audiences and give people an opportunity to attend their local museum which they may not be able to do during the day.”

🟢Over €620k for
🟢220 night time events in
🟢51 museums & galleries across the country

Comhghairdeas to the recipients detailed below

We're also announcing recipients of a €119k pilot night-time funding initiative aimed at young people & artists https://t.co/UQ86Z02Of6 pic.twitter.com/mKjjXrneev

— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) August 29, 2023

Elsewhere, the Minister announced a new Night-Time Economy youth initiative.

The pilot will support over 70 night-time events around the country for young people aged 14 - 24.

The initiative aims to provide younger artists with performance spaces, allowing them the experience of being in the environment of ‘real gigs’ with professional stage, lighting, camera and sound crew.

The funding of just over €119,000 was awarded to organisations that have a track record of working with young people and venues.

The full list of beneficiaries can be found here.

“Last year my department hosted two focus groups for young people to share their views on the Night-Time Economy,” added Minister Martin.

“The pilot aims to provide more alcohol-free activities for young people, and give them the variety of authentic venues and spaces to allow them participate and socialise safely together later in the evening and at night.”