New company to be established to help realise CoC13 legacy

Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín is establishing a new Departmental office in the North West to help establish a new company to ensure a positive Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013 legacy is realised.
Eamon O'Doherty's 'Armoured Pram' (background) is  being purchased by Carál Ní Chuilín to inspire creativity and help realise a UK City of Culture 2013 legacy.Eamon O'Doherty's 'Armoured Pram' (background) is  being purchased by Carál Ní Chuilín to inspire creativity and help realise a UK City of Culture 2013 legacy.
Eamon O'Doherty's 'Armoured Pram' (background) is being purchased by Carál Ní Chuilín to inspire creativity and help realise a UK City of Culture 2013 legacy.

She’s also buying late Londonderry sculptor Eamonn O’Doherty’s ‘Armoured Pram’ as a creative catalyst for the city.

Speaking in Londonderry on Wednesday (November 20) she said she had already approved £2m for projects in the city during this financial year and will make another bid through the Executive for ongoing support during 2014/15. The Minister announced her intention of spreading the wealth beyond the Londonderry city limits.

“We have learnt a lot from the hugely successful year of City of Culture. As we move forward into 2014, I want to widen the focus out from Derry to Strabane, Limavady and Coleraine including co-operation with Donegal. With the new councils being established in 2015, it makes sense that all of the North West region benefits.

“I will therefore set up a company limited by guarantee to deliver City of Culture legacy programmes and activities. I will also set up a DCAL North West office to help the new body become established.”

She said she would support the continuation of the Music Promise and Portrait of a City projects and that she would fund Neighbourhood Renewal Areas to support the delivery of cultural strategies.

“I also want a feasibility study to be undertaken to consider venues for cultural hubs across the region. I have approved funding for the purchase of a Mobile Marquee which will enable deprived communities to host events such as the hugely popular tea dances. The new delivery company will also support and develop new initiatives,” she said.

The Minister also announced the return of Other Voices in February and that she was purchasing Eamonn O’Doherty’s iconic Armoured Pram to inspire creativity.

Her announcement follows the publication in the Sentinel last month of details of a draft ‘legacy plan’ by Derry City Council that suggested the city may bid for European Capital of Culture in 2023. Over a year ago Ms Ní Chuilín said that between 2013 and 2020 wages must rise, jobs must be created in poorer areas, the city must be more equal, there must be better relations between Protestants and Catholics and people must be happier to live here, otherwise CoC 2013 will have been a failure.

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