Crawford Art Gallery in Cork city is set to undergo major redevelopment works.

Cork City Council has granted planning permission for the project, which will see Crawford expanded and modernised in line with international museum standards, providing new exhibition spaces and a Learn and Explore facility to engage new audiences, as well as a new public gallery providing panoramic views of Cork city.

These works well also address long-standing challenges with the fabric of the historic building, providing fit-for-purpose storage spaces for the National Collection, and will significantly enhance the sustainability of the building. The project will create a new entrance onto Emmett Place, opening Crawford onto a new urban plaza at the heart of the cultural life of the city. The Gallery will remain open to visitors until the Autumn of 2024 after which time the redevelopment will commence on-site.

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Welcoming the Council's decision, Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, said: "Today's announcement is wonderful news for the Crawford Gallery, for the people of Cork and for art lovers across Ireland. With this design Grafton Architects, in collaboration with gallery staff and a dedicated design team, have re-imagined this beloved institution, designing a revitalised gallery which is sympathetic to the building's historic structure while also delivering much-needed additional exhibition and learning spaces. The Crawford is just one of the National Cultural Institutions earmarked to receive funding for redevelopment under the National Development Plan. Today's grant of planning permission is an important milestone in the programme and it sets the bar high for the projects to come."

Minister Patrick O'Donovan, Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, commented: "I am delighted with the announcement by Cork City Council to approve the planning application for the Crawford Art Gallery Redevelopment Project. This will allow us to progress with our programme of works to enhance the visual presence of the Gallery collections, while preserving the historic building and providing a vibrant new space for art and the public to meet in the heart of the city."

Chair of the Crawford Art Gallery, Rose McHugh, added: "It is an exciting time for Crawford Art Gallery and this ambitious and well considered plan will ensure Crawford remains at the core of Cork and Ireland's cultural life into the future."