The Arts Council has announced a new Night-Time Economy Forum that will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 17 January in the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin.

The setting up of an annual public forum was one of the recommendations of the report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce that was published in September 2021.

The event will bring together a range of speakers on the arts and the night-time economy and aims to encourage new partnerships, new thinking and steps to support the role of the arts in creating a vibrant night-time economy.

Speakers
Among the speakers are Professor Terry Stevens who will give a keynote address titled ‘Insights and Learnings from Other International Cities and Towns’. Professor Stevens is founder and Managing Director of the Wales-based tourism consultancy Stevens & Associates and has worked in over 55 countries on destination development.

The forum will be introduced by musician and DJ Robbie Kitt of the Give Us the Night campaign. Kitt will also chair the first panel discussion, which is titled ‘The Opportunities for Innovation and the Night-time Economy’. Panellists include Mirik Milan, former Night Mayor of Amsterdam and CEO of Vibe Lab consultancy; Michelle Carew, Arts Officer with Cork City Council; and Sinead O’Reilly, Local, Place and Public Art Manager with the Arts Council.

The second discussion will focus on the topic of ‘Artists, Arts and Cultural Organisations and the Night-time Experience’ and will be chaired by Ruth McGowan, CEO of Dublin Fringe Festival. The panellists include Lucy Durack, Head of Audiences and Development at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA); jazz artist Emilie Conway; Cara Trant, Director and Curator of Kerry Writers’ Museum; and Emma Nee Haslam, Manager of Birr Theatre and Arts Centre.

This session will be followed by a contribution from actor and comedian Saoirse Smith.

Challenges and solutions
Commenting on the forum, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, who set up the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, said:

The Night-Time Economy Task Force has set forth an ambitious programme that is working to shape and change our cities and towns at night. This forum shines a spotlight on the potential ways in which we can make this happen. I’m looking forward to seeing new and innovative solutions to some of the challenges facing the Night-time Economy and some new and interesting partnerships coming out of this event.

The forum takes place from 1.30pm to 5pm and admission is free. It will also be streamed on the Arts Council’s YouTube channel. See the full programme below. To book tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3GdCZUo.

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Programme: Night-Time Economy Annual Forum

1.30pm: Registration
Tea/Coffee on arrival

2pm: Welcome
MC: Robbie Kitt
The Arts Council (speaker TBC)

2.10pm – 2.40pm: Keynote address: Insights and learnings from other international cities and towns, by Professor Terry Stevens

2.40pm – 3.20pm: Panel Session 1: The opportunities for innovation and the night time economy
Chaired by Robbie Kitt
Mirik Milan, CEO Vibe Lab and former Night Mayor, Amsterdam
Michelle Carew, Arts Officer, Cork City Council
Sinead O’Reilly, Local, Place and Public Art Manager, Arts Council

3.20pm–3.35pm - Tea/Coffee Break

3.35pm – 4.20pm: Panel Session 2: Artists, Arts and Cultural Organisations and the night time experience
Chaired by Ruth McGowan, CEO Dublin Fringe Festival
Lucy Durack, Head of Audiences and Development, IMMA
Emilie Conway, Vocal Jazz Artist
Cara Trant, Director/Curator, Kerry Writers’ Museum
Emma Nee Haslam, Manager, Birr Theatre and Arts Centre

4.20pm: Rapporteur: Saoirse Smith, Actor/Comedian

4.40pm: Closing Remarks (speaker TBC)