.
THE Board and Management of Siamsa Tíre have made a joint decision to suspend all non-profit-making productions after June 17 and for the remainder of the summer season.
The board said this will provide an opportunity to secure the necessary funding to review the production offerings for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024, while the organisation prepares for a relaunch of its programme.
A statement from the board released yesterday reads as follows; “The Board believes that building on Siamsa Tíre’s cultural legacy, and with strong support from its community cast, that the organisation and venue have a valuable contribution to make, both as a receiving house for national and international productions, and as a centre of excellence for traditional arts performance and practice.
Continued below…
.
This decision enables the National Folk Theatre offering to be reimagined in an exciting and innovative way that, while honouring our tradition and heritage, will be more relevant to contemporary audiences.
In the meantime, the venue remains open for business and will continue to be a community cultural hub, hosting a wide variety of performances across theatre, music, dance and traditional arts for local audiences and visitors to the southwest.
The Siamsa Tíre Academy, which offers exciting developmental prospects for the organisation that we will continue to explore, will also remain open.
The loss of momentum due to closure during Covid 19, the changing face of the tourism market, compounded by the rising cost of living and energy prices have been key factors in reaching this difficult decision.
However, the Board is happy to confirm that we are in discussion with Kerry County Council, The Arts Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, Gaelteacht and Media to secure Siamsa Tíre’s future; we are grateful for their ongoing commitment, support and agreement on Siamsa’s fresh direction, as we seek a new way forward.
We will continue to work with them in the coming months. This is an exciting time for the organisation, and we are optimistic about the opportunity to work with all our stakeholders, as we pivot to a new model,” the statement concluded.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
