The Arts Council and Local Government jointly hosted its second biennial conference, Places Matter, on 27 and 28 March 2019 in the Bailey Allen Hall, NUI Galway. The conference was aimed at public and civil servants, artists, arts organisations, politicians, academics and anyone interested in improving how we build inclusion in the arts based on the principles of inclusivity and equality.

Dr Ronit Lentin chaired the conference, and Dr Sindy Joyce gave the opening speech. Key note presentations included Nina Simon (Director of Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz) [below], Abid Hussain (Director of Diversity, Arts Council England), and Prof William Schabas (Professor of International Law, Middlesex, University of London).

There were two discursive sessions with panels including playwrights, activists, writers, artists and academics and injected into the event were powerful artistic performances by Denise Chaila, That’s Life, Rusangano Family, Glory Anumudu and Touché & Petusulo.

304 delegates, from a variety of sectors attended the conference. The Arts Council and County and City Management Association would like to thank you warmly for attending and for providing valuable insights and feedback after the event.

Listen to presentations from the conference

Download presentations from the conference

Welcome from Orlaith McBride and Ann Doherty

Opening address from Dr Sindy Joyce

Opening address from Dr Ronit Lentin

OF/BY/FOR ALL, Nina Simon

The creative case for diversity, Abid Hussain

Equality, Human Rights and Diversity in the Arts, Prof William Schabas

You can download a copy of the conference programe here: Places Matter 2019 Conference Programme

For further information, please contact: ailve.mccormack@artscouncil.ie