Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council together with the Model Arts and Niland gallery are engaged in an ambitious project to substantially enhance Sligo’s cultural and artistic standing. They are advancing design proposals that will see a new Museum, extension to the Model and Niland and a new civic space provided on a site off Connaughton Road and alongside the present Model and Niland building. An application for planning permission will be lodged shortly and it is intended that the cultural elements will be completed in late 2008.
The facilities described form the cultural elements of the overall development of the site which is presently a surface car park. A site master plan was presented to the County and Borough Councils in July 2003 and the museum and Model and Niland extension represent the first steps in its implementation. The development will include extensive pedestrian access across the site linking The Mall and Connaughton Road. There will be a focus on creating pleasant urban spaces and high quality hard and soft landscaping.
The designs now nearing completion are the result of a long process of background work by both authorities and the Model and Niland. The museum will be a state of the art facility designed to the highest international standards. It will be an institution of national significance capable of hosting a broad range of temporary exhibitions together with a permanent exhibition. It will also contain extensive technical backup facilities to receive, treat and conserve incoming objects, lecture rooms, cafés and retail space.
With Sligo’s rich heritage there is no shortage of potential themes for the museum. Work is ongoing on this aspect of the project. The Councils will shortly commence an extensive consultation process amongst interested groups and persons that they willinput to theme development and museum policy. The museum aims to develop education and outreach programmes to ensure its relevance and worth penetrate to all aspects of our communities and county. The extension to the Model Arts and Niland Gallery will represent the completion of the project commenced in the late nineties and of which the present building is the first phase. Since its opening in 2001 it has built up a strong reputation nationally and internationally for its exhibitions, performance programme and education programmes. The Model has experienced a continual increase in visitor numbers - from 40,000 in 2001 to more than 85,000 last year.
The redevelopment includes improved gallery space, a new purpose built black box performance space, new dedicated wet workshop facilities, new seminar rooms, new artists studios and alterations to the reception area and restaurant. A new access will be developed from the new civic space and gallery layout will be substantially enhanced.
The prominence of the site with its spectacular views of the city, the harbour area, Knocknarea and surrounding areas will see this investment contributing to the ever changing face of our city. Having facilities as those intended will leave our county and city better positioned to attract increased visitor numbers, increased investment and give further impetus to the development of Sligo Gateway City.