As the city comes together to compile the strongest possible bid, our list of partner organisations is growing all the time. They currently include:
Apprentice Boys of Derry Association www.apprenticeboys.co.uk
An historical organisation whose members are committed to maintaining the spirit of liberty displayed by the Apprentice Boys in 1688 against oppression, the Apprentice Boys faithfully commemorate the ‘Derry Celebrations’ within the Maiden City and in other localities. The association raises its profile through parades, exhibitions and lectures.
The Bogside Artists – www.bogsideartists.com
The Bogside artists are Tom Kelly, his brother William, and Kevin Hasson. This celebratyed trio have created and painted the twelve murals that form the internationally acclaimed ‘The People’s Gallery’.
Their artwork represents the Bogside, its history, its spirit and its people; and many thousands of people come to Derry each year to hear the history of the 'troubles' and to see the celebrated street of murals in the Bogside. Painted from photographic material these are the most authentic renditions possible of the events depicted and acclaimed by many critics and writers as "art of the highest order".
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin www.culturlann-doire.ie
A £4million, purpose-built Irish language, cultural and enterprise centre based in the historic Great James Street area, the centre acts as a hub for a variety of different cultural and arts organisations throughout the Northwest region. Its extensive facilities includes a 200-seat theatre (An Croi); multi-purpose arts centre; conference centre and craft centre.
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company www.echoechodance.com
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company is one of the country's leading dance organisations. The company regularly produces and tours nationally and internationally with original new performance work for an ensemble of local and international dancers. Echo Echo also has a strong commitment to developing dance as an accessible art form maintaining a busy dance education and outreach programme for people of all ages and abilities.
Gasyard Feile www.freederry.org/gasyard.htm
Founded in 1993, the Gasyard Wall Feile is an annual community festival that takes place in Derry at the beginning of August. Established by community activists to celebrate the positive aspects of the Bogside and Brandywell areas, the festival mixes cultural discussion with comedy, film, literature, music, exhibitions, drama, art, politics and sport.
Guildhall Press – www.ghpress.com
Derry’s long established publishing and design company, Guildhall Press has a proud record of assisting, developing and showcasing fiction and local history writers over many years.
Specialising in illustrated publications and websites of local interest: Tourist Guides, Memoirs, Humour, History, Politics and Conflict, Photography and Folklore. In the thirty years since its inception, Guildhall Press has become widely recognised as the most innovative publishing house in Ireland, thanks to its groundbreaking work on eBooks and web design.
Heritage and Museum Service www.derrycity.gov.uk/museums
Promoting greater awareness and education of the history and cultural heritage of the Derry City Council area, its award-winning museums include the Tower Museum, Harbour Museum, Workhouse Museum and Foyle Valley Railway Museum.
Nerve Centre www.nerve-centre.org.uk
A focal point for youth culture, this groundbreaking centre brings pop, film, video, animation and interactive multimedia together under one roof. Facilitating
creative collaboration and fusion between artists, it provides a cultural haven
for young people who don’t feel comfortable in the mainstream arts sector.
Millennium Forum www.millenniumforum.co.uk
One of Northern Ireland's premier theatres and conference centres and the largest purpose-built theatre in Ireland, the Millennium Forum has a vibrant range of arts and entertainment events on offer throughout the year.
Music 55-7 www.music55-7.com
Programming high quality musical events that inspire people to be creative and positive, Music 55-7 has its roots in classical music but engages with many other musical traditions. Their aims include loosening the classical music concert format, exploring connections between classical music and other forms of music and stimulating greater music engagement among young people.
The Playhouse www.derryplayhouse.co.uk
The award-winning Playhouse has grown to become one of Ireland’s leading multi-disciplinary community art resource centres. Based on a neutral site, it facilitates grass roots, bottom-up community development projects and is one of only a handful of venues commissioning, producing and touring theatre in the island of Ireland. It features a 189-seat theatre and an extensive education and outreach department.
Greater Shantallow Arts Association
Verbal Arts Centre www.verbalartscentre.co.uk
An educational charity, the Verbal Arts Centre promotes the language arts and celebrates commonality and diversity, development of knowledge, understanding and excellence in creation, performance and critical practice across all the verbal arts forms.
Void Gallery www.derryvoid.com
An artist-led contemporary art space, Void houses two gallery spaces, six studios, an education area and a conference room. The gallery, which usually holds eight exhibitions per year, aims to promote contemporary art through exhibition programmes and related educational activities. Through art education programmes, it supports the needs of disadvantaged sectors of society and challenges discrimination.
Waterside Theatre www.watersidetheatre.com
From drama, dance and comedy to live music and children’s theatre, this recently refurbished theatre provides a wide range of top quality arts and entertainment, as well as an extensive education programme.
It’s vital the people of Derry~Londonderry take ownership of our bid. By joining the Cultural Partnership Forum you can actively participate in the bid and help raise awareness throughout the city. You’ll also have the opportunity to make your contribution to the amazing arts and cultural programme being developed to support the bid, work on its implementation and help take us through to an exciting cultural future post 2013. If you think you can help send your contact details to info@cityofculture2013.com.