By Kim O'Leary
Cllr Mark Lynch calling for artists to be given full-time space for work as redevelopment works planned for The Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge.
Sinn Fein Cllr Mark Lynch has welcomed the announcement of the redevelopment of the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge which is set to take place at the end of 2018.
That the council ensures that with the welcome redevelopment of the Riverbank Theatre at Newbridge, that suitable space is made available for general community use and consideration given to providing a "full-time space for County Kildare artists to have a workshop space and exhibition space and that dialogue is opened up with the same on having a potential full time location site" at the Riverbank.
Riverbank Arts Centre, located on the main street of Newbridge in Co Kildare, is a vibrant multidisciplinary arts centre made up of a 180 seat venue, a digital cinema facility, a visual art gallery and a small dedicated children’s gallery space.
Having recently applied to the Department of Arts (‘Creative Ireland Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016, Stream 2'), for a large capital grant to develop and refurbish the Arts Centre facilities, Riverbank Arts Centre was one of two venues in the country awarded the top amount of €1m to deliver its proposed plan.
With a match funding agreement of €1m in place with Kildare County Council, the aim of this refurbishment is to provide the county of Kildare with a flagship venue, and a universally accessible Arts Centre operating on a local, national and international level.
According to the Riverbank Arts Centre Capital Development Project 2018-2019, this project aims to bring the existing facility up to the highest of standards, allow the building to meet current regulations and afford all members of the community an opportunity to comfortably access the centre and engage in its activities.
The Riverbank Theatre intends to construct a new area of 405 m2 which will increase the building’s footprint from 1615 m2 to 2020 m2. With the internal layout reconfigured to also provide the centre with a dedicated workshop room, a spacious children’s gallery and the unique offering of adult changing facilities for those with special needs.
While the physical theatre and gallery spaces will be out of operation during the works, the Riverbank team will use the opportunity to present an off-site programme to the community and surrounding areas.
It is hoped that the increased seating capacity and level of comfort will provide the centre with the chance to attract more acts to perform at the centre.
If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.