Holywood Arts Trust

Holywood Arts Trust is well on its way to commissioning the first piece of public art for the town since Johnny the Jig was installed in High Street over 50 years ago. 

Six artists were invited to Holywood in June 2005 to view the preferred public art sites.  They are currently preparing 3-dimensional representations of their ideas that will be judged by a select panel of art experts in late summer.  The Trust is seeking the maximum grant aid available from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to ensure that first impressions of the town’s latest public art installation are both favourable and memorable.   In order to attract funding the Trust has to realise at least 25% partnership funding from the private sector.   Holywood Arts Trust is very grateful for the private donations it has received to date but would like to receive more donations from you.  As the Trust has achieved charitable status, which means that for every pound you donate we can claim back 28 pence from the Treasury.  

Holywood already has a reputation as a hotbed for the development of the arts with four of the Province’s leading art galleries located here.  Holywood Arts Trust is looking forward to enhancing the town’s image as a leading arts centre in Northern Ireland. 

Holywood Arts Trust is supported by: North Down Borough Council; Holywood Conservation Group; Holywood Residents Association; Holywood Chamber of Commerce and Bangor & Holywood Town Centres Ltd.  We believe that this partnership arrangement will continue to promote Holywood as a quality shopping centre and imaginative arts centre. 

Fiona McGarry, Project Officer for the town centre management company said, “This is very much a long-term project. We are working with the Arts Council, North Down Borough Council, local community representatives and other corporate sponsors to produce what will eventually become a Walk of Art.  We want everyone in Holywood to support this public art project that will bring a new dimension to the town and the surrounding area.  It’s expected that this project will further enhance the branding of Holywood and contribute to the quality of life of the local people.  It will also become an additional cultural, educational and visitor resource.“

Holywood Arts Trust would like to thank Sainsburys and the developers of Holywood Exchange for their financial assistance in the development of the Trust’s public art strategy document, copies of which are available from TCM. 

If you would like to make a monetary donation or ‘in kind’ pledge to Holywood Arts Trust please contact Fiona McGarry by telephoning 028 9147 9651.  All contributions are gratefully received.