Galway International Arts Festival and NUI Galway have announced the signing of a new multi-year partnership, which will see one of Ireland’s leading cultural organisations, and the Sunday Times University of the Year 2018 working on a series of initiatives designed to "inspire cultural and creative opportunities for students".
The GIAF will work with the university on the development of a number of education initiatives to complement the existing suite of culture-related courses provided by the NUIG. In addition, the university’s Alive programme will work with the festival to further develop the festival’s expanding volunteer programme as a best practice experience.
A formal arrangement will be put in place with the library to archive GIAF activities and the festival will work with the university on the promotion of its new BA in music programme.
The new partnership will also see greater ties between GIAF's First Thought Talks programme and the university, with the campus becoming more closely associated with the First Thought strand. In addition, a new First Thought Talks event will be developed and delivered during the 2018-2019 academic year, with a view to developing it as an annual event.
With the GIAF now regularly producing and touring new work, NUIG will also form key associations with Irish work in each year’s festival programme, supporting the creation of new work created by Irish artists that will premiere in Galway and tour.
“This new partnership represents an exciting new development in the relationship with NUIG," said GIAF CEO John Crumlish. "It is a natural fit for the festival, as it is hoped the university will produce the graduates who will have a major role developing, producing, and working on new productions in the future.”
The partnership further develops the GIAF/NUIG relationship, as the university has acted as Education Partner for the festival since 2011. "As Education Partner, we see our cultural hinterland as central to our mission," said NUIG president Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, "and look forward to working with the festival over the coming years to support the next generation of creative artists, producers and cultural entrepreneurs.”
