156K

For Immediate Release

Major Strategic Review Announced for Contemporary Music Centre (CMC) -- One of State's Longest Serving Arts Organisations

12 April 2007

Following the recent celebration of 20 years of activities, the Contemporary Music Centre announces details today, 12 April 2007, of a major strategic review which will focus on redefining the role and remit of the organisation. The review process will culminate in the development of a new strategic plan that will run from 2009-2011.

The board of directors of the CMC have published a 'Statement of Intent', which outlines possible ways in which CMC's services could be developed. This includes the possibility that CMC expands its function by becoming the national authority on 'the music of Ireland' through developing services and programmes to meet this need. The document, published through the CMC web site (www.cmc.ie), will form the basis of a series of public consultation meetings that will take place throughout April and May, at which feedback from the public and stakeholders will be sought.

'The aim of the consultation process is twofold; to share information with participants about CMC's current role and services in new Irish music, and more importantly to facilitate debate and discussion regarding proposed new directions for the centre,' says Mary McAuliffe, Chairperson, CMC board of directors.

Meetings will be held in Galway (30 April), Dublin (1 May), Cork (2 May), Limerick (3 May) and Belfast (4 May) at which clients of CMC and opinion holders will be given an opportunity to express their views on the proposed strategic direction of CMC. The meetings will be chaired by Andrew Conlan-Trant of Aspect One Consultants.

The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national archive and resource centre for new music supporting and developing the work of composers throughout the Republic and Northern Ireland. Founded in 1986 as an initiative of the Arts Council, it has its home in a historic building in Fishamble Street in the Old City of Temple Bar. The Centre is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

For further information contact Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, The Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8.
Tel: 01 673 1922 Email: khennessy@cmc.ie web site: www.cmc.ie.