MAKING WAVES

Looking Outward: Europe and Beyond
At the very start of this book we spoke of the
need for renewal and strategic investment
in the artistic community. Galway 2020 wish
to embrace the ECOC as a point of radical
departure from a safe traditional path. We
want to look outward and be inspired and
influenced by the impulses of our European
partners and a wider European community:
~ ~ An increase in the number of artistic
collaborations between Galway and Europe.
~ ~ An increase in European audiences who
virtually engage with Galway work.
~ ~ An increase in the amount of work created in
Galway which addresses some of the biggest
European and international issues of our time.
A new Culture: Inclusive and Participatory
Fundamental to our bid concept is the wish
to move beyond artistic and cultural activity
often delivered in a large-scale, consumerled,
touristic context and create a legacy
whereby cultural practice is seen as a vital
value in a person’s everyday life, by:
~ ~ An increase in the number of people actively
participating in the curation, creation, production
and management of cultural events.
~ ~ An increase in the number of crosssectoral,
inter-disciplinary collaborations
with sectors of society who may never
have engaged with culture.
~ ~ An increase in the number of people who feel
that culture is an integral part of their lives.
Language: Acceptance and Revival
Like many minority languages through Europe,
the Irish language is under constant threat.
Galway 2020 will use multilingualism as a
European norm to promote and encourage
the acceptance of the use of many languages
in everyday life and more specifically the Irish
language. Defining legacies of the bid will include:
~ ~ An increase in the number of people
who speak Irish in their daily lives.
~ ~ An increased appreciation of the
positive benefits of multilingualism.
~ ~ A decrease in the level of racism towards
speakers of languages other than English.
2.3.2 ECONOMIC
Cultural Sustainability:
Capacity and Competence
We have spoken of the disparity between
the outward presentation of Galway’s
cultural scene as both vibrant and thriving,
and the reality of the fragile and under
resourced ecosystem in which it exists.
Facilitated by Galway’s long-term Cultural
Strategy, Galway 2020 will be a catalyst for
new models of cultural sustainability:
~ ~ An increase in the number of artists
working in sustainable careers.
~ ~ An increase in the number of cultural
organisations operating sustainably in Galway.
~ ~ An increase in the number of cultural
producers/managers/entrepreneurs in Galway.
~ ~ An increase in the economic contribution
of Galway’s creative sectors.
Cultural Infrastructure: Physical and Virtual
While Galway has thrived for decades as a city of
‘pop-up culture’ in alternative and disused spaces,
there is a common acceptance that there is now
a real need to develop a cultural infrastructure
which is fit for the vision of a flourishing cultural
sector and creative industry through:
~ ~ The development of a new suite of
cultural facilities and creative hubs.
~ ~ The development of a new digital
infrastructure for the sector.
~ ~ The upgrading and revival of
existing cultural infrastructure.
~ ~ An increased level of private sector
involvement in support of cultural objectives.
2.3.3 SOCIAL
Rural/Urban Divide: Renewal and Recovery
We have talked openly about our growing
problems of rural depopulation, social decline
and a widening gap between our rural and
urban communities. We believe the long term
legacies of the ECOC title will include:
~ ~ An increase in the number of people
participating in Cultural activities in rural Galway.
~ ~ An increased belief in the power of
culture as a driver of social recovery,
empowerment and change.
~ ~ An increased pride of place and
spirit of unity in community.
Migration: Openness and Diversity
While Europe struggles against a wave of
closing borders, hearts and minds, Galway is
seeking to challenge ambivalence towards
difference and diversity. Some of the defining
legacies of Galway’s bid will include:
~ ~ A deeper trust that fairness and
friendship are possible between people
of diverse cultural backgrounds.
~ ~ A more welcoming response and
deeper integration for those who arrive
seeking refuge on our shores.
~ ~ A clear reduction in the incidence of
reflexive racism and xenophobia.
Contribution to Long-Term Strategy 15