The Local Government sector in Ireland comprises 31 Local Authorities. Local Authorities are the closest and most accessible form of Government to citizens. They have responsibility for delivery of a wide range of services in their local area with a focus on making cities, towns and countryside attractive places to live, work and invest. These services generally include housing; planning; roads; environmental protection; and the provision of recreation and amenities and community infrastructure. Local Authorities also play a key role in supporting economic development, tourism and enterprise at a local level.

Limerick is at a key point in its cultural history and development. It is looking to the future where arts and culture plays a leading role in developing the city region. It is drawing on its experience as Limerick 2014, Ireland’s first “City of Culture” and the Limerick 2020 bid for European Capital of Culture. Our focus is how best to strategically support developing the arts in the context of both city and county local authorities merging in 2014.

The Limerick City Arts Office was established in 1988. The County Limerick Arts Office was established in 1993. The amalgamation of Limerick City and County Council in 2014 resulted in one Arts Office delivering the arts and festivals for Limerick operating within the Tourism Culture and Arts Department within the Community Development directorate.

There are many external factors that now influence and impact on the delivery of Culture and Arts for Limerick, including the Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan, the Limerick 2030 economic and spatial plan for Limerick, The Local Economic and Community Plan, the Local Development Strategy: The Rural Development Programme, Creative Ireland and Making Great Art Work.

#WeAreCulture. This hash tag became a powerful statement of the role that arts, culture and creativity play in Limerick and a recognition that culture is created by and belongs to all of us. Hosting the National City of Culture in 2014 and the bid for the European Capital of Culture 2020, put a spotlight on Limerick’s ambitious arts and culture scene and opened it up to many of those who never before engaged in creative activity. It energised practitioners, it activated citizens and it contributed to placing arts and culture at the core of public policy and planning for the future of Limerick. Importantly the 109 ‘Made in Limerick’ projects, many of which were community led, youth and civic in nature, supported ensuring barriers to participation were removed.

Limerick City & County Council are establishing a panel for which fixed term vacancies will be filled. We currently have two fixed term vacancies available.