The Complex announces official closure

The Complex arts venue has announced they have been forced to officially close following the expiration of their lease last night.

The Complex was served an eviction notice in early December, with the order to quit by January 14, as the owners of the Smithfield arts venue were seeking to sell. The news of closure follows yesterday afternoon's final emergency meeting between Dublin City Council and the Art's Council.

Several efforts have been made to "save the complex", including a petition with over 16,600 signatories asking for the state to intervene, benefit gigs with artists such as Junior Brother, SexyTadgh and RÓIS, as well as an emergency motion proposed by Dublin North Green Party Cllr. Janet Horner at a Dublin City Council meeting, which was passed on January 12.

Today, The Complex issued an official statement regarding its closure.

"The loss of The Complex represents a failure of cultural policy, accountability, and long-term planning within the public system," said Artistic Director/CEO Vanessa Fielding. "Our efforts have also been frustrated by an inflexible landlord, focused exclusively on achieving vacant possession, to maximize the redevelopment value of the site."

People Before Profit also expressed their frustrations with the eviction.

"It was closed in the interests of a landlord, against the wishes of thousands of people who valued this space and made it what it was, a rich and open place for everyone to enjoy the arts and have the security that they could hone their craft in a high-quality studio space," wrote PBP on social media. "We need a militant movement to resist and to build a city in the image of our class, in the name of use and openness, and not in service of landlords and speculators."

This eviction follows several other Dublin arts venues announcing closures in recent years, such as Jigsaw, Block T, Mambos, Tivoli Theatre, Hangar and Bernard Shaw.

The Complex was in operation for 18 years, and was home to 18 studios, a large performance space and gallery.

• Read The Complex's statement below:

 

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