ARTS, CULTURE AND TOURISM Aim:To support the continued advancement of and participation in arts, culture and tourism services in Cork City 8
8ARTS, CULTURE AND TOURISM Introduction 8.1 This chapter sets out the planning framework for the development of arts, culture and tourism for the city until 2015. Arts and Culture supports the quality of life for individuals and communities in addition to forming part of urban value systems. Arts and culture facilities also act as tourist attractions. Cork City has a strong and vibrant cultural heritage.this is highlighted by the several events and festivals of national and international distinction and by its well established local arts community. Cork City Council aims to reinforce the city as a place which visitors enjoy, where they are welcomed, enjoy positive experiences, receive good service and contribute to the local life, character and economy of the historic city. Overall Objectives To encourage and facilitate the development and retention of high quality cultural amenities including theatres, concert halls and other performance venues in the City Centre; To encourage large-scale developments throughout the city to incorporate works of public art; To ensure that all construction projects undertaken by the Council which are supported by government funding be considered for the Per cent for Art Scheme; To support the provision of workshop space for artists in suitable buildings; To facilitate and encourage sustainable tourism development which is based on and reflects the city s distinctive history, culture and environment; To enhance public spaces and streets within Cork City and to promote integrated and well informed signage within the city; To support and promote business tourism; To support and develop festivals and encourage the establishment of new festivals which will be supported as a celebration of the creative spirit and identity of each community; To encourage and support increased co-ordination, cohesion and linkages between agencies such as Fáilte Ireland (South West Region), Waterways Ireland, the Regional Fisheries Board, OPW etc. Arts and Culture 8.2 It is the aim of Cork City Council to support the continued advancement, participation and collaboration of Arts and Cultural services in the city, and to ensure that the nurturing of the arts and associated services is part of the planned development of Cork and its surrounding region. Cork City Council aims to celebrate Cork as a city of arts and to promote and develop Cork as a centre for culture and creativity. 8.3 Arts and Culture underpin quality of life in addition to enhancing the urban form of the city. Cork City Council prepared an Arts and Culture Strategy covering the period from 2006-2009.A further plan will be published to cover the period 2010-2015. These plans affirm the City Council s belief in the importance of the arts to individuals and communities and as an important aspect of local government service to the community. POLICY 8.1 Arts and Culture Strategy To support the further development of Cork as a centre for culture and creativity and to support the continued advancement of Arts and Cultural Services (as outlined in the Arts and Cultural Strategies) in Cork City. Arts and Cultural Amenities 8.4 Cork City already possesses a range of arts and cultural institutions including museums, art galleries, libraries, theatres and public buildings. These include, to name but a few, St. Anne s Church, Shandon, Blackcock Castle, Cork Butter Market, the English Market and the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery. The recently completed and refurbished award winning Cork School of Music further reinforces the city s 84
support of the arts. Cork City Council plays a direct role in the development of Arts and Cultural facilities including the refurbishment of Blackrock Castle as an Observatory and Visitor Centre and also the repair and reuse of the Lee Road Waterworks as the Lifetime Lab Environmental Training and Education Centre. The Council has also managed the redevelopment of a number of buildings for use as centres for arts activities. These include, among others, the National Sculpture Factory, the Munster Literature Centre and Cork Vision Centre. The Council is also directly involved in the development of a number of key cultural buildings which include the former St. Luke s Church and Christchurch. The North Monastery School is also being considered for redevelopment as a centre for cultural activity. The Council will aim to further expand and improve on the provision of such facilities, including its plans for the upgrading and expansion of the Shandon Butter Exchange and the arts and cultural facilities proposed under the South Docks Local Area Plan which include provision of a flagship cultural facility and a cultural community centre. POLICY 8.2 Arts and Culture Amenities To encourage and facilitate the development of high quality arts and cultural amenities and facilities including theatres, concert halls, museums and other performance venues in the city. Infrastructure for Artists 8.5 Cork City Council recognises the contribution made by artists, including visual and performing artists, to the city s cultural life. The Sculpture Factory in the city supports artists by providing studio space. It is acknowledged that living space can also be problematic for artists. Cork City Council will endeavour to examine the feasibility of providing infrastructure to meet their needs. This can mean providing for studio and exhibition space in addition to rehearsal and performance space. The Council will also investigate the feasibility of establishing live-work units and work spaces. POLICY 8.3 Support Artistic Spaces To support the provision of spaces for artists in suitable buildings to live, work and exhibit. 85
8ARTS, CULTURE AND TOURISM Public Art 8.6 Public pieces of art greatly contribute to the overall appearance of a city and improve the quality of life through the visual enhancement of the area. Public art can be of any form and can work within or across many art forms, such as visual art, dance, film, literature, music, opera, theatre and architecture; including all aspects of contemporary arts practice such as performance, live art, multimedia, video art, sound art, etc. The Per Cent for Art Scheme is a scheme that allows for the inclusion in the budgets for all capital construction projects of up to 1% as funding for an art project subject to conditions. Works under the scheme can be of any duration, temporary or permanent. It provides a challenge and an opportunity to a wide range of artists to create work for public engagement and response. Further to this residential projects also provide opportunities for community-focused art projects. POLICY 8.4 Provision of Public Art To promote and encourage the provision of public art in large scale developments, in public parks and other public spaces and also by ensuring that all construction projects undertaken by the Council which are supported by Government funding are considered for the Per cent for Art Scheme. Cultural Heritage 8.7 The term cultural heritage often refers only to museums, archives and libraries. However, it can also include aspects of our heritage such as place-names, heritage objects, local history and maritime traditions. It is this cultural heritage which makes Cork City an attractive vibrant place for both local people and tourists to live, work, study and visit. Cork City Council acknowledges the importance of this cultural heritage and seeks to protect and encourage its development.the Council aims to promote cultural heritage through policies on naming new estates and heritage objects and promoting the maritime heritage of Cork City. POLICY 8.5 Naming of New Developments To promote local heritage by encouraging the use of local place-names or geographical, historical or cultural names in the naming of new residential and other developments. Heritage Objects 8.8 The 1995 Heritage Act defined heritage objects as Objects over 25 years old which are works of art or of industry (including books, documents and other records, including genealogical records) of cultural importance. Cork City Council values these assets and will seek to ensure their protection as appropriate. 86
POLICY 8.6 Heritage Objects To ensure the protection of heritage objects and respect their settings as appropriate. Cork Public Museum 8.9 Cork Public Museum is an important resource for both the people of Cork City and its many tourists and visitors. Its collections include important archaeological finds dating from Bronze Age to Medieval times, artefacts from the War of Independence, collections of Cork silver and archives of 18th and 19th century documents. POLICY 8.7 Museums To continue to support and to expand museum facilities in the city. Cork City and County Archive 8.10 The Cork City and County Archives has in recent years moved to a new purpose building known as the Seamus Murphy Building at Great William O'Brien Street, Blackpool. Since 1994 it has been a function of Local Government to make arrangements for the proper management, custody, care and conservation of local records and local archives and for the inspection by the public of local archives. The day to day operation of the Archives is carried out by Cork City Council. 8.11 Archives are records and documents which are preserved because of their enduring value to society and to the people and organisations that produce them. Archives may be the personal papers of an individual, or the records of a public body such as Local Government, or the records of another institution such as a business, society, club, union or religious organisation.archives may take many forms, including correspondence, diaries, files, minutes of meetings, reports, legal documents, photographs, maps, plans and drawings, account books, audio, visual, and electronic records. Archives are fragile and unique and must be kept and used under strict conditions if they are to survive for the use of future generations. POLICY 8.8 Archives To further develop and promote the Cork City and County Archive collection. 8.12 Maritime heritage is extremely important to Cork City. The city s relationship with the River Lee is significant in shaping the development of the city through providing a medium for transport, communication, defence, commerce and recreation. Cork s maritime heritage is also reflected in the city s coat of arms Statio Bene Fida Carinis - A Safe Harbour for Ships. POLICY 8.9 Maritime Heritage To promote the maritime heritage of the city. 87
8ARTS, CULTURE AND TOURISM Tourism Introduction 8.13 The City Council recognises the importance of tourism in the economic life of the city and the potential that exists for the industry to expand further. Cork City has developed its own tourism and visitor economy capitalising on its qualities as a cultural destination and area of local distinctiveness. The city and its surroundings function as an important gateway and base for regional tourism. The Plan acknowledges the importance of the quality of visitor experience whilst aiming to encourage tourism that is sustainable and environmentally friendly. 8.14 Cork City contains a high quality natural heritage of landscape and a significant man-made heritage of buildings, culture and industrial past which have the potential to attract visitors. Developing the potential that exists offers a significant opportunity for increased expenditure, economic development and job creation in Cork City. Trends 8.15 The South West region is Ireland s top tourism region successfully attracting a balanced mix of domestic and overseas visitors and has a well established tourism industry. A total of 1,233 million was spent by 3.6 million visitors in the region in 2006, having increased by an average of 10.6% per annum since 2001. Policy Context 8.16 Fáilte Ireland s Tourism Product Development Strategy 2007-2013. Overall recommendations in the strategy cover the following areas: Capital investment in the hard tourism product; Infrastructure and services relevant to tourists; The physical environment; Packaging and presentation; Expanding the skills and capability of people working in the industry. 8.17 Fáilte Ireland s Southwest Regional Tourism Development Plan 2008-2010 A number of the planned actions are: To develop new visitor entertainment facilities in Cork City; Explore the potential of development of a necklace of marinas stretching along the coastline and a cluster of Centres of Excellence in sailing; Work to develop the concept of Culinary Cork ; The strategic goal of the plan is to exploit the maritime heritage and indigenous strengths of the region s coastal environs. 8.18 Tourism and the Environment: Fáilte Ireland s Environmental Action Plan The Five Key Objectives are as follows: To place environmental issues at the core of sustainable tourism policy at national, regional and local levels; To advocate for the protection of key environmental and tourism assets; To undertake research leading to a clearer understanding of the relationship between tourism and the environment; To promote good environmental practice within the tourism sector and to advise on the development of ecotourism; To establish a number of strategic partnerships in implementing this plan. 8.19 Realising the tourism potential of the city requires investment in marketing, product development and physical facilities in terms of visitor infrastructure and visitor accommodation. Since a vibrant tourism sector depends on a quality host environment its growth must be based on the provision of tourism facilities and accommodation to a high standard that contribute to the industry. To this end, and in conjunction with supporting existing facilities, the Council will support proposals for new and different 88
tourist attractions.the Council will endeavour to promote other forms of tourism such as the business and culinary aspects of tourism. The development of the Docklands in accordance with the Docklands Local Area Plans also provides scope for suitable locations for additional tourism accommodation and facilities.the Council will support the development of a convention/conference centre in the Docklands. In addition, the urban environment is an important factor in attracting tourists and in persuading those who do make visits to make return trips. POLICY 8.10 Tourism Development To facilitate and encourage sustainable tourism development which is based on and reflects the city s distinctive history and environment and promote diversification and innovation in the tourism sector e.g. supporting business and culinary tourism. POLICY 8.11 Convention/Conference Centre To support the development of a cultural convention/conference centre as part of the South Docks Local Area Plan. 8.20 The City Council will seek to provide a series of themed trails, in particular walking trails, that focus on historic parts of the city or other themes to guide and facilitate visitors. POLICY 8.12 Themed Trails To investigate the potential of, and opportunities for, the development of themed trails (for example heritage trails) in the city, based, where possible, on walking, cycling and public transport. 8.21 Along with a range of attractions and visitor services provision of a diverse range of high quality accommodation is essential for city tourism. The Council will support the upgrading of existing accommodation and will also support new proposals at suitable locations while ensuring a high standard of design. POLICY 8.13 Tourist Accommodation and Facilities To encourage the continual provision of and improvements to the quality of a range of accommodation, attractions, and visitor services. POLICY 8.14 Opening Hours To support increased access to visitor attractions by supporting extended opening hours of tourist facilities where deemed appropriate. 8.22 Progress has been made in recent years on provision of signage for tourists and this will be improved on throughout the city and the Council will work with the relevant parties in drawing more attention to the architectural and historical heritage of the city by signposting important buildings and providing more information in regard to their particular history and architectural qualities. 89
8ARTS, CULTURE AND TOURISM POLICY 8.15 Signage To promote integrated and well informed tourist signage within the city in an attractive and well designed manner. 8.23 Cork City offers an abundance of festivals throughout the year - the Cork Jazz Festival and the Cork Film Festival to name but two of the well known international festivals.the contribution of such festivals and events greatly adds to the vibrancy and attractiveness of the city both for the permanent residents and visitors alike. POLICY 8.16 Festivals and Events To support and develop existing festivals and encourage the establishment of new festivals and events. Cultural Tourism 8.24 Cultural Tourism is a key component of urban tourism based upon the arts and heritage characteristics of towns and cities. Cork City is one of the oldest cities in Ireland and has a rich archaeological record. One of the major attractions of Cork City for the domestic and foreign tourist is the wealth of local culture. Corks pre-eminence as a trading centre and maritime merchant port in the eighteenth and nineteenth century created the most tangible industrial archaeology and historic remains still surviving in the contemporary city. Shandon contains a number of key historic buildings including St. Anne s Church and the Butter Museum. South Parish has a wealth of cultural facilities including St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, and Elizabeth Fort etc. The Plan proposes to further develop the cultural precincts of the two areas of Shandon and the South Parish and to promote the cultural tourism that these key areas have to offer. Signage and linkages between the two areas will be improved to ensure that the tourist product of both is exploited as much as is possible. Chapter 13 also highlights these two cultural areas. (See Zoning Map 2 in Volume 2). Cork City Council provides a focal point for cultural heritage activities through the work of its Arts, Sports, Irish and Heritage Officers along with services provided by the archives, museums and libraries. POLICY 8.17 Cultural Heritage It is the policy of Cork City Council through land use zoning, policies and objectives to protect and enhance the tourism and cultural amenities of the city including the conservation, protection and enhancement of Cork City s natural, built and cultural heritage. Cork City Council will seek to protect the natural and built environment which forms the basis of the city s attractiveness for tourists. POLICY 8.18 Cultural Precincts To promote and develop cultural precincts in the city and in particular the Shandon and South Parish areas of the city (See Zoning Map 2,Volume 2). POLICY 8.19 Interpretative Boards Promote and develop interpretative information boards at important sites of heritage, conservation and archaeological interest. 90