By Paddy McCarthy
The idea of expanding the Irish Arts Center began in 2007 and now they have fulfilled their dream and all Irish and Irish Americans who love the theatre as part of their culture will be very happy. I don’t have to say much that hasn’t already been said so here we go with the latest information in my Out&About.
Opening December 8th, Irish Arts Center (IAC), based in New York City and renowned for presenting dynamic, inspiring, collaborative experiences of the evolving arts and culture of Ireland and Irish America in an environment of warm Irish hospitality, will open the doors to its long-heralded new home, a 21,700 square foot hub for the arts at 726 11th Avenue, with a monumental inaugural season of programming, from December 2021 to December 2022.
As the organization approaches this pivotal moment, the culmination of a more than a decade-long transformation into one of New York’s most beloved multidisciplinary cultural institutions, they announced the year-long program that will bring the landmark new facility to life.
Founded in 1972, Irish Arts Center for decades operated within New York’s Off-Off Broadway theatre landscape, while also promoting Irish culture through classes in traditional music and dance, from a humble three-story tenement at 553 West 51st Street in Hell’s Kitchen.
As part of the evolution of the neighborhood, in 2006 the organization was given an opportunity to potentially acquire the site of Cybert Tire, on a city-owned property on 11th Avenue, adjacent to Irish Arts Center’s current home.
The opportunity inspired fundamental questions, including: What should an Irish Arts Center be in 21st Century New York City? How best to reflect Ireland today? What will best serve New York, artists, and the community?
After surveying the Irish and New York cultural landscapes, Irish Arts Center undertook an ambitious transformation into a vital, inclusive multidisciplinary institution deeply integrated into the cultural ecosystems of Ireland and New York.
Over many years, the organization built artistic and financial capacity through high-impact collaborative programming in its 51st Street home, partnerships with dozens of New York City cultural institutions, significant special events anchored by longtime Honorary Chairs Gabriel Byrne and Liam Neeson, and its enduring education programs.
In parallel, the organization and project and design team commenced a robust, iterative consultative process with hundreds of artists and stakeholders to establish the scope and program for the new building, while gradually growing the Center’s annual budget from $690,000 in 2007 to more than $4 million in 2020—and securing more than $65MM in capital support from the City of New York, the State of New York, the Irish Government, cultural and corporate foundations, and hundreds of private donors.
Irish Arts Center Executive Director Aidan Connolly said, “The new Irish Arts Center is a dream realized and a tribute to the broad coalition of people in New York and Ireland who have brought it to life, at a time when we so eagerly need a place to come together with inspiration and hope. But it’s only the beginning.
“Our opening season is a statement of promise and possibility. We invite artists and audiences of all backgrounds to see themselves in this welcoming new home.”
Irish Arts Center Vice Chair Pauline Turley said, “When you walk around New York there are so many fine cultural institutions proudly promoting their heritage—Asia Society, Alliance France, Scandinavian House, and the Jewish Museum, amongst many others.
“To finally have a state-of-the-art home that can stand proudly alongside these great institutions, that will celebrate the evolving Irish and Irish American story, is a dream come true for so many who have labored to make the New Irish Arts Center a reality.”
Now, how was everybody’s Halloween? The word out there was that it was fabulous, no matter where you went. On Halloween eve I was in Manhattan for a private dinner with my family in a restaurant called Hillstone on Park Avenue South. The restaurant is amazing and well recommended as they serve an arrangement of food on their menu. The reason I am telling you this as I walked around after dinner before heading out to Sunnyside in Queens and the whole city seem to be in costume already. I kept wondering, “where was mine?” Ah, I don’t have to costume up as I am always costumed up, just kidding.
Yes, we all headed out to Sunnyside to an Irish pub, where else? Called the Courtyard on Queens Boulevard it was just like being at home. I got to meet people that I have not seen since the pandemic started. One that comes to mind was Chef Paul Lofthouse who is a master at what he does and has worked in some of the most of the popular Irish restaurants in New York and likes to share his professional craft and of course a bottle of Bud to go with it.
The staff at the Courtyard were very professional and most of the customers were dressed up for the Halloween festivities, all while the Karaoke was playing with plenty of singers to entertain you. It reminded me of when I used to hang out in my single days where every night was a party night… that’s when we were all just off the (boat)plane. We had fun times in Woodside and Sunnyside and the great thing about it was we were all one no matter what County you came from in Ireland, we all mixed and boy, we had some laughs. Now in saying that the atmosphere in the Courtyard was just the same as it was over 20 years ago.
Moving on, the Village Halloween Parade in Manhattan on Sunday was out of this world as almost the whole city wanted to be involved after Covid-19 nixed it last year. It was a break out time it seems. The parade went straight up 6th Avenue from Canal to West 15th Street and was also televised on national TV, that was just brilliant.
I am also told that parades all over Long Island were a great success and the kids just loved it collecting candy from their trick or treats while out and about with their parents. Ahh to be young again as we did not have any costumes then only borrowed cloths that were oversized just like the clowns in the Circus, those were the days, but I must acknowledge they were great days.
See you all again when I’m Out&About…