Museum Ireland - Irish Museum of Modern Art

The Museum's mission is to foster within societyMarina Abramovic, Willie Doherty and Paul
an awareness, understanding and involvement inSeawright, installations by llya and Ameila
the visual arts through policies and programmesKabakov, Rebecca Horn and sculpture by Dorothy
which are excellent, innovative and inclusive. OneCross, Kathy Prendergast, Damien Hirst and
of the leading museums in Ireland, IMMA presentsStephan Balkenhol; also paintings by Francesco
a wide variety of art in a dynamic programme ofClemente, Tony O'Malley, Peter Doig, and Peter
exhibitions, which regularly includes bodies of workHalley. Major donations include a wide variety of
from its own collection and its award-winningmodern and contemporary art, including a number
Education and Community Department. It alsoof 1930s works by Picasso, paintings by Sean
creates more widespread access to art andScully, a large sculpture by Barry Flanagan and a
artists through its Studio and Nationalfilm by Neil Jordan.
programmes. The current director is EnriqueEducation and Community Programmes
Juncosa, who was previously Deputy Director ofAn extensive range of programmes has been
the Reina Sofia National Museum Arts Centredeveloped at the Museum with the intention of
(MNCARS) in Madrid.creating and increasing access to the visual arts,
Museum Ireland: How was the Irish Museum ofas well as engagement in their meaning and
Modern Art established?practice. The programme operates on many
The Irish Museum of Modern Art was establishedlevels - with research projects, with
by the Government of Ireland in 1990 as Ireland'scommunity-based programmes within the local
first national institution for the presentation andcatchment area and with the general public in a
collection of modern and contemporary art. Thegallery-based initiative through the provision of
Museum was officially opened on 25 May 1991 byExplorer.
the, then Taoiseach Charles J Haughey. Since itsA number of programmes have been developed
opening the Museum has rapidly established itselffor groups who wish to have contact with specific
as a significant and dynamic presence in the Irishexhibitions or artists, including gallery discussions
and international arts arena. It is widely admiredand practical studio work. The ongoing primary
by its peers throughout the world for the rangeschool programme creates access for individual
and relevance of its exhibitions, for its innovativeteachers, staff groups and children.
use of its growing Collection, for its award-winningThe Museum's Artists Work Programme, a studio
education and community programme and for itsresidency programme, is open to artists in all
visitor-centered ethos and facilities.disciplines and of all nationalities. Artists participating
The Irish Museum of Modern Art Todayin the Programme make themselves as available
IMMA has proved to be a valuable and popularas possible to meet with visitors to the Museum,
addition to the country's cultural infrastructure,providing access to the process of making art
attracting more than 400,000 Irish and overseasand giving the public an additional layer of
visitors from diverse social backgrounds eachexperience to that available in the Museum's
year, both to the Museum itself and to eventsgalleries. A series of slide talks, studio visits, panel
organised throughout Ireland by our Nationaldiscussions and open days are organized around
Programme.the residencies, all of which are free and open to
Irish Museum of Modern Art's Exhibitionsthe public.
The Museum's temporary exhibition programmeThe National Programme is designed to make the
regularly juxtaposes the work of leading,Museum's assets, skills and resources available to
well-established figures with that ofcenters outside Dublin. Through the lending of
younger-generation artists to create a debateexhibitions and individual works, and the
about the nature and function of art and itsdevelopment of collaborative projects with other
connection with the future. Exhibitions presentedorganizations, the National Programme establishes
at IMMA include - Francis Alÿs, Alexander Calder,the Museum as inclusive, accessible and national.
James Coleman, Dorothy Cross, Lucian Freud,The presentation of such a wide range of
Ann Hamilton, Howard Hodgkin, Juan Miró, Hughieactivities offers a richly diverse experience to
O'Donoghue and Elizabeth Peyton. IMMA originatesboth general visitors and to those interacting with
many of its exhibitions but also works closely withthe Museum on a more long-term basis.
a network of international galleries and museums.Museum Ireland: The home of the Irish Museum
The Collectionof Modern Art
The Collection of the Irish Museum of Modern Art,As one of the leading museums in Ireland IMMA's
which comprises some 4,500 works, has beenactivities are greatly enhanced by its magnificent
developed since 1990 through purchase, donationsbuilding and grounds. The Royal Hospital
and long-term loans, as well as by theKilmainham, the finest 17th-century building in
commissioning of new works. The MuseumIreland, was built in 1684 as a home for retired
purchases contemporary art but acceptssoldiers and continued in that use for almost 250
donations and loans of more historical art objectsyears. Its style is based on Les Invalides in Paris
with a particular emphasis on work from thewith a formal facade and large elegant courtyard.
1940s onwards.The Museum site also includes a formal garden,
The permanent collection reflects some of themeadow and medieval burial grounds. In addition
most exciting trends in Irish and international artto its striking setting, the Museum also has an
with lens-based work by Gilbert and George,excellent cafe and bookshop.