Irish Architectural Archive Temporary Closure

logo-iaaOn foot of cutbacks in core grants and the sustained downturn in its traditional private-sector support base – architecture and construction – the Irish Architectural Archive has been experiencing very serious financial difficulties since mid-2012. Having ended last year with a €30,000 deficit, and facing the prospect of a cumulative deficit of over €100,000 by the end of 2013, the board has been forced to close the Archive for July and August 2013 as a cost saving measure to avoid insolvency, making all staff temporarily redundant.

For these two months, it will not be possible to provide public access to the building or the collections, or to respond to phone, email or postal enquiries, or any other correspondence. The board deeply regrets the inconvenience this closure will cause, and the impact on its staff.

In order to minimise the duration of the closure, the Archive has intensified its fundraising efforts. Since February 2013 nearly 80 individuals and companies have paid or pledged over €44,000. This money will be used to confine the proposed closure to just two months instead of longer.

Michael Webb, Chairman of the Archive, noted; ‘The response from the Archive board, members, staff and friends has been very encouraging and we are extremely grateful to all those individuals and organisations who have contributed.’

The Chairman and other Archive representatives met Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and have entered into meaningful engagement with his Department on a restructuring programme to secure the future of the Archive.

The Archive Reading Room, Architecture Gallery and office will close at 5 pm on Friday 28 June 2013.
The Archive office will reopen on Monday 2 September.
The Archive Reading Room and Architecture Gallery will reopen at 10 am on Tuesday 3 September 2013.