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Art in Every Place:  Celebrating 40 Years of Arts Council and Local Government Partnership 

National event in Limerick celebrates four decades of co-investment in artists, communities and cultural infrastructure in every local authority 

Kildare County Council was delighted to participate in a landmark event hosted by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Ireland’s 31 local authorities on Friday 21 November.  The special celebration “Art in Every Place”, held at Limerick City Gallery of Art, commemorated 40 years of partnership between the Arts Council and local government.   

The reception was attended by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, representatives from the Arts Council, the County and City Management Association, local authority representatives and Arts Officers from across the country.  

Since the appointment of the first County Arts Officer in Clare County Council in 1985 and the establishment of the State's first local authority arts office in 1986, every local authority in Ireland now has an arts office, embedding arts expertise within local government, supporting artists and communities nationwide.   

The Limerick event reflected on significant milestones, including the national roll-out of arts offices under Better Local Government in 1997, to the Arts Act 2003, which placed arts planning on a statutory footing for local authorities. The impact of joint investment in infrastructure, public art, festivals and artist supports was also highlighted.   

Between 2005 and 2025, €2.6 billion was jointly invested in the arts, strengthening cultural infrastructure and widening access to the arts in every county.  This collaboration has transformed local arts experiences, supporting venues, festivals, youth arts, public art programmes and artist supports throughout the local government sector.   

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’ Donovan, commented: “As Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, I am very proud to mark the 40th anniversary of this partnership between the Arts Council and local government. Over four decades, this collaboration has changed the cultural landscape of Ireland, supporting artists, strengthening communities, and ensuring that people in every corner of the country can experience and participate in the arts close to home. Today is an opportunity to celebrate that achievement, to acknowledge the dedication of everyone involved, and to look ahead to what this partnership can continue to deliver for communities across Ireland.” 

Maura McGrath, Chair of the Arts Council, said: “For forty years, the Arts Council’s partnership with local government has played a central role in bringing the arts into everyday life in every corner of Ireland. Working closely with Arts Offices throughout the country, this partnership has transformed access to the arts – supporting artists locally, deepening connections with communities, and ensuring that where you live or who you are never limits your access to creativity. This anniversary celebrates the power of that partnership and looks ahead to the next chapter of art in every place, for everyone.”  

Coilín O’Reilly, Chair of the CCMA Rural, Community, Culture, and Heritage Committee and Chief Executive of Carlow County Council said: “Local authorities are at the heart of every community in Ireland. We see the benefits of supporting arts and culture locally to building connected, sustainable and engaged communities. Supporting our arts practitioners also contributes to local economic development, building a strong indigenous creative industry, leading to vibrant cultural offerings. Our arts officers are central to this activity. Through strategic arts plans, they support and collaborate with artists, foster public engagement, promote inclusion and diversity, and ensure equitable access to the arts. We are proud of what the partnership between the local government sector and the Arts Council has achieved over the past 40 years and we look forward to continuing to work together to enhance communities and to support creative endeavour.” 

Speaking following the event, Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council  remarked: “Through the Arts Service, Kildare County Council is proud to continue to support the rich artistic and creative tapestry of the county. This 40th anniversary event marks a landmark moment in the enduring partnership between The Arts Council of Ireland a national agency, and Local Authorities across the country.  This partnership is a testament to our commitment to supporting artists and communities in County Kildare and reflects the Council’s strategic priority to foster a vibrant and connected community, and a rich cultural environment that enhances the quality of life for all of our citizens”.  

The partnership’s core themes include supporting artists; children and young people; communities; public art; festivals; arts infrastructure; and Arts Officers, reaching into every aspect of local cultural life.    It is underpinned by A Framework for Collaboration, the joint agreement between the Arts Council and the County and City Management Association. Each local authority has its own strategic arts plan, aligned to its County or City Development Plan and national arts strategies.