Following on from the success of The Ballinglen Museum of Art, 'The Old School’ will mark the next phase of our development and our focus is going to be the renovation of the building. The intention is to renovate ‘The Old School’ so it becomes a state of the art education centre for workshops and our education programme for children/young people.
Before The Ballinglen Centre was built, our founders - Margo Dolan and Peter Maxwell - were invited one evening by local Priest, Father Moyles, to view the interior of the ‘The Old School’. He asked them “isn’t this just what you need”? and then proceeded to kindly gift them the use of the building for many years to use as studios before The Arts Foundation was constructed. Prior to this, ‘The Old School’ was the local girls National School. "Three" of our very own members of staff attended! We are delighted to say that we have secured the planning permission required from Mayo County Council to move forward with the renovation.
This building is so important - it will enable us to expand upon our workshop programme, integral to the running of Ballinglen and paramount to established/emerging artists. Additionally, the building will help support our "Fellowship" residency award, outreach programmes for children, young people and adults; allowing us to continue to serve our rural community through creative engagement.
