John O'Donoghue T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has announced funding of €25,000, on the recommendation of the Cultural Relations Committee (CRC), to support Ireland's participation in the 9th Architecture Biennale of Venice, 2004. The Cultural Relations Committee is a voluntary body, appointed by the Minister, which makes recommendations to the Minister on the disbursement of funds to support Irish cultural activities abroad.

Minister O'Donoghue stated: "The international dimension of the arts and its capacity to create connections with other countries is an important aspect of my Department's work. The Venice Biennale is widely regarded as the world's premier showcase for art and architecture. Accordingly, it provides a unique opportunity to present the work of some of our finest artists and architects to a large international audience."

The Minister also announced that the architect and critic Shane O'Toole has been appointed by the CRC as Irish Commissioner for the forthcoming Architecture Biennale. The 2004 Biennale is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors during its eight-week run, from September 12th until November 7th. For the first time, Ireland's participation will be located in Venice's historic shipyards, the Arsenale, which will provide the core venue for the Biennale exhibition.

The Biennale invites individual countries to propose architects, projects and installations that respond and give special resonance to an overall theme, which this year is dedicated to METAMORPHOSES. Mr O'Toole and his Deputy Commissioner, architect Paul Kelly, have selected the architects Sheila O'Donnell and John Tuomey to represent Ireland with their project for the Furniture College at Letterfrack, Co Galway, which was a finalist for the European Union Prize for Architecture last year.

Mr O'Toole stated: "O'Donnell and Tuomey's rehabilitation of the former industrial school at Letterfrack is a true project of redemption that fits perfectly with the theme of this year's Biennale. It is a reminder of the huge potential that architecture offers. Working closely with Connemara West, the local rural development group, O'Donnell and Tuomey have transformed that institution, opening it up for educational and community use. I am greatly heartened that the writer, actor and artist, Gerard Mannix Flynn, who has promoted the art of the 'outsider' for many years, has accepted our invitation to open the Irish pavilion in Venice next September."

Minister O'Donoghue warmly acknowledged the decision of The Arts Council to provide additional grant-aid of €25,000 towards Ireland's participation in the 9th Architecture Biennale of Venice, 2004, as it did in 2000 and 2002.

The Minister also thanked the core sponsor of Ireland's Biennale project, the Devey Group of Irish companies, which has major interests in property development in several countries and in the leisure and healthcare industries. Additional support for the Irish exhibit in Venice is being provided by the Conservation and Restoration Centre at Connemara West, the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and Nuova Icona, a non-profit cultural association that promotes contemporary arts in Venice.