Minister O’Donovan announces €3m in funding for the Irish Arts Centre New York
- Published on: 29 September 2025
- Last updated on: 29 September 2025
- €2.5m provided by Minister O’Donovan and €500,000 provided by Tánaiste Simon Harris’s Department to complete the flagship Irish arts centre in New York
- €3m in capital funding granted to the Irish Arts Centre in New York to complete their redevelopment project
- The project will deliver a state-of-the-art facility fit for the 21st century allowing IAC to showcase a new generation of Irish artists.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has today announced Government funding of €3m for the Irish Arts Centre, New York, comprising €2.5m from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and €500,000 from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The funding will allow for the delivery a state-of-the-art facility fit for the 21st century allowing the IAC to showcase a new generation of Irish artists.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said:
“We have supported the redevelopment of Irish Arts Centre from its earliest days and are committed to seeing this remarkable project through to completion. Our continued investment reflects our deep commitment to the Irish community in New York and promotion of our values across the U.S., as part of the Global Ireland 2025 Strategy."
Speaking in New York, Minister Patrick O’Donovan said:
“I am delighted to announce capital funding of €3m to for the Irish Arts Centre in New York. The IAC has long been a home from home for Irish artists, providing audiences with the opportunity to engage with Irish arts and culture. This funding for the phase two redevelopment of the IAC’s original 51st Street home will add a second intimate venue to complete the new IAC Campus.”
The Irish Arts Centre, founded in 1972 and based in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, is a home for artists and audiences of all backgrounds who share a passion or appreciation for the evolving arts and culture of contemporary Ireland and Irish America. They present, develop, and celebrate work from established and emerging artists and cultural practitioners, providing audiences with emotionally and intellectually engaging.
Aidan Connolly, Executive Director – Irish Arts Center said:
“This visionary partnership between the people of Ireland and New York has secured a permanent platform for Irish artists in the cultural capital of the world. The second phase of this project will deliver a second, intimate, flexible space for Irish artists across a range of backgrounds, disciplines and practices - both established and emerging - for generations to come.”
Phase one of the redevelopment project delivered a new arts centre with a large theatre, library, studio and function spaces. Phase two will see the redevelopment of the IAC’s original space on 51st Street into an intimate venue capable of platforming more emerging and early career artists. The total capital budget for both phases is $97.7m (€83.6m). The Irish Government previously provided $15m in funding to the IAC redevelopment project. This funding has allowed the IAC leverage support for Phase Two of the redevelopment project with $20.35m coming from New York City and $5.39m from New York State. Since the start of Phase One (2010), IAC has raised more than $57 million in private support. The completed arts center will will allow the IAC to showcase a new generation of Irish creative talent, building long-term US market share and opportunities for the Irish cultural sector and creative industries.
Tánaiste Simon Harris added:
“It is also testament to the unprecedented partnership between Ireland, New York City and New York State. The Irish Arts Centre is in one of the world’s great cultural capitals and a place where our diaspora and its artists can gather, celebrate their heritage and talent, and share it with the wider community.”
Minister Patrick O’Donovan added:
“My Department, through Culture Ireland, has an ongoing relationship with the IAC through its annual artistic programme. This year I provided funding of over €680,000 to the IAC for the artistic programming there. The Centre is a key strategic stepping-off point for Irish artists seeking to grow their audiences throughout North America.”
ENDS