Ballina Arts Centre is based in Ballina Co. Mayo, Ireland. The town of Ballina has an urban population of up to 15,000 people, with an additional 30,000 in the hinterland. For a number of years, much work has been done to develop an arts centre for the town. In 2011, that goal was realised when the redeveloped Ballina Arts Centre opened its its doors on Barrett St.

Ballina has strong traditional heritage, encompassing music and dance. This is augmented by a thriving culture of young rock bands and sing-songwriters. The development of Ballina Arts Centre, offers support to visual artists by the provision of a visual arts space, and a growing programme of artists’ workshop and masterclasses.

Funders for the project include the Arts Council, Mayo County Council, Ballina Town Council, along with a considerable local contribution. Ballina has been designated as a key locus to ensure equal provision of arts service within the county of Mayo, which spans considerable geographic distances.

Ballina Arts Centre is working towards arts provision to achieve the following aims and objectives:

• to establish Ballina Arts Centre as a vibrant and successful Arts Organisation.
• to provided an excellent quality of service to the community.
• to establish the broadest possible base of funding for Ballina Arts Centre, in order to secure its future.
• to be a centre of best practice for professional and non-professional artists.
• to increase participation, enjoyment and awareness of the art.
• and to establish a wide audience which is a representative of the whole community.

In order to achieve these aims and objectives, the centre plans and programmes across the whole spectrum of art forms and practices, to develop audiences ifor all arts forms. The programme includes:

• Music development, endeavouring to achieve a balance between the major music forms and genres, including, classical, traditional, jazz, choral, world, folk, blues, etc.
• Theatre and Dance.
• Visual Arts, providing a year-long programme of exhibitions, gallery talks, and workshops.
• Cultural Cinema – through Ballina Film Club and other film events such as Sound+Vision: Ballina Film Festival
• Literary and educational events.

Ballina Arts Centre is access-driven and participatory in ethos. Since its inception, it has developed and maintained strong links with a number of local community groups.

As part of the Centre’s Education programme, the venue presents a programme of workshops, talks, seminars etc. around the exhibition programme.

Ballina Arts Centre is supported by the Arts Council, Mayo County Council, Ballina Town Council, FÁS.  For more information about Ballina Arts Centre contact 096 73593 or Email: ballinaartscentre@eircom.net