The significant programme of works to upgrade the fire and safety systems in the main building at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, which has been underway throughout 2012, will now not be completed until 2013. Because of this and the need for additional works relating to the installation of an art lift, which are subject to planning permission, it has been decided to defer the reopening of the main building until all major construction works are complete. This will also ensure that a possible second period of closure, and associated disruption for the Museum and its visitors, will be avoided. Accordingly, the main building at IMMA will now reopen in autumn 2013.
In the meantime, exhibitions will continue in the New Galleries at Kilmainham and in the exhibition spaces at the National Concert Hall site in Earlsfort Terrace. Indeed, IMMA’s visitors would appear to have become quite accustomed to this temporary, dual-location model, with up to 200 people visiting both the Alice Maher exhibition (at Earlsfort Terrace until 17 February 2013) and the Sidney Nolan exhibition (at the New Galleries until 27 January 2013) each day. The Museum is continuing to present its full range of children’s, young people’s, adult and education programmes in both locations; as well as an extended talks and lectures programme.
In addition to the exhibitions in the New Galleries, the café and bookshop in Kilmainham will remain open to visitors as will the grounds at IMMA, with four different art trails available to visitors. The Artists’ Residency Programme is operating on a limited basis and will resume fully following the reopening of the main building.
IMMA’s National Programme continues at the newly-opened Luan Gallery in Athlone, Co Westmeath, with an inaugural exhibition drawn from the Museum’s Collection running until 24 February 2013.
The Museum is very grateful to the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, TD, and the officials in his Department, for making the spaces in Earlsfort Terrace available; to the OPW, who are responsible for the upkeep of the buildings at IMMA, and to the Chairman, Board, Director and staff of the National Concert Hall for their generous cooperation.
For further information and images please contact Monica Cullinane or Patrice Molloy at Tel: +353 1 612 9900, Email: [email protected]
19 December 2012