Minister Humphreys launches ‘Art in the Hubs’ initiative

• Six Connected Hubs to participate in unique new pilot scheme
• Partnership with Contemporary Irish Art Society (CIAS) to see pieces of art placed in remote working hubs
•  Plans in place to roll-out scheme out nationwide
• Minister Humphreys: This initiative is about adding to the experience of our remote workers
• Over 10,000 users now on Connected Hubs platform

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, TD, today (Friday, 17 February) launched the ‘Art in the Hubs’ initiative. This unique new pilot scheme will see pieces of art placed in remote work facilities across the country that are on board the Connected Hubs network. As part of the pilot, some 12 pieces of art will be loaned to different hubs by the Contemporary Irish Art Society (CIAS).

Six hubs in counties Monaghan, Longford, Cavan and Louth have been chosen under the initiative, which will now be rolled out nationwide. Participating hubs have also undertaken to support the work of local artists.

Speaking at today’s launch at the M:Tek Digital Hub in Monaghan, Minister Humphreys said:

“As a former Minister for the Arts, I know that art can be so powerful in terms of bringing a space to life. That’s exactly what we want to do with the 300-plus remote working hubs that are now on board the Connected Hubs network. This unique pilot initiative is about bringing art into the community. It’s about creating art spaces that our remote workers can enjoy during their breaks and which can provide great benefits in terms of reducing stress and improving our mental wellbeing.

While there are six hubs chosen as part of the pilot scheme, I very much welcome the plans to roll this initiative out nationwide. I want to thank the Contemporary Irish Art Society and the local artists for working so closely with us to develop this wonderful scheme.”

 Stephen Carolan, National Hub Network Programme Manager, said:

 “Hubs are popular and busy facilities in communities all over Ireland. This is a great opportunity for visitors to the hubs, including regular hub users, to enjoy outstanding modern art, and I know these pieces of art will add greatly to the hub community”.

Stephen added:

“On ConnectedHubs.ie, we have over 300 hubs all over Ireland and we look forward to expanding the Art in the Hubs scheme to include many of those hubs. CIAS came to us with this idea and their passion for making it happen has been inspirational.”

The six hubs participating in the pilot programme are:

• M:Tek 1, Monaghan
• Castleblayney Enterprise Centre 
• Bru Digital Hub, Drogheda 
• Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre, Cavan
• co:worx, Edgeworthstown, Longford
• The Yard, Abbeyshrule – opening soon

Said Mary Pavlides, Chairperson, CIAS:

“We are delighted to team up with ConnectedHubs.ie for this programme. In CIAS, we are motivated by a desire to get contemporary visual art out into the community, into buildings where people can enjoy and engage with the work. The prospect of extending the programme nationwide really excites us as it resonates completely with our mission. We are grateful to the Department of Rural and Community Development and ConnectedHubs.ie for the enthusiasm they have shown for the project.”

About CIAS

The CIAS is an important force in contemporary visual arts culture in Ireland. As well as the purchase of artworks, it runs a regular programme of visits to public and private galleries, artists’ studios and private collections. The society also advises on the collection and display of Irish art, leading to a greater appreciation and understanding of the country’s dynamic contemporary visual arts movement.
https://www.contemporaryirishartsociety.ie/

Photograph: Pictured at the launch of Art in the Hubs in the M-Tek 1, Monaghan are
Heather Humphreys, T.D., Minister for Rural and Community Development who launched the scheme
back LR Lijuan McQuillan, Kate Beagan, Aisling Slattery Fanning, Niamh O'Connor, Michelle Harton, Joan Mulvihill, Stephen Carolan.
Front LR Grace Brennan, Louise Loughman, Minister Heather Humphreys, Margie Dunne.