Appeal for donations by beloved Mayo arts centre
THE Linenhall Arts Centre is appealing to the general public for donations at a time of financial concern, as 2023 comes to a close.
A charity, and one of Ireland’s oldest arts centres, it is located on Linenhall Street in the heart of Castlebar and provides an arts service to all in the locality. Welcoming over 17,000 people through their doors in 2023, the Linenhall offers a wide range of high quality arts experiences and engagements to audiences of all ages, and supports local and community projects, encouraging access to the arts for everyone.
Support from the Arts Council of Ireland, Mayo Arts Office and Castlebar Municipal District are the organisation's main sources of funding, along with donations from audiences and the general public. Rising costs, a change in audience attendance post Covid, and a significant drop in funding from Castlebar Municipal District for 2023 has resulted in financial challenges this year.
“As a registered charity, we rely heavily on donations and funding. We are a small team that works hard to fight for the ongoing presence of the arts in Mayo because we feel strongly in the service we provide to the community.
"We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access high-quality arts experiences and this is reflected in our mission ‘Arts for All',” commented the Linenhall’s executive director, Bernadette Greenan.
This year, a vast spectrum of events in the realms of music, theatre, dance and literature as well as those supporting the local community were hosted, including the immensely popular Brose Walsh Showband retrospective. Its stunning visual art gallery exhibited the work of artists such as George Bolster and Vivian Hansbury, with the bi-annual Mayo Artists Show remaining on display until Saturday, January 6, 2024.
Large scale installations also featured The Boy Who Talked to Dogs, from Australia’s Slingsby Theatre Company, and Infinite Light by Mayo artist Cathal McCarthy, a free event which engaged audiences with light and colour through a series of interactions inside and outside the building.
Concluding 2023’s programming is The Nightmare Before Christmas, which screens on Tuesday, December 19, at 3 p.m.
The Linenhall is appealing to local businesses and the general public to support the charity by donating either through a one-off donation by post, in person or online, or via a monthly donation. As little as €10 a month can go a very long way, and demonstrates your belief that a local arts centre is a vital and necessary resource in the west of Ireland. Any donation, big or small would be greatly appreciated. Donations of €250 or more (€21 per month) are eligible for tax relief, significantly enhancing your gift to the Linenhall.
For details on how to donate, please contact the Linenhall on (094) 9023733 or by email via info@thelinenhall.com.