A LOCAL authority has come up with an initiative which will enable local college graduates to benefit from the use of prime empty retail space.
Creative Limerick, Connect To The Grid, launched yesterday, enables creative industry graduates from the city’s third-level institutions to use vacant shopfront space to sell work.
The initiative will temporarily fill vacant retail window space in the prime retail spaces of the city centre with work from students who are in their final year or who have graduated from a third-level institution based in Limerick.
The creative businesses involved in the initiative include advertising, architecture, art and antiques markets, computer and video games, crafts, design, fashion, film and video, music, performing arts, publishing, software, television and radio.
The graduates will be responsible for fitting out the window space, and for lighting and keeping the displays updated.
According to Limerick City Council, the co-ordinators of the initiative, participants’ work will be insured and there will be no fee.
The initiative will last for a trial period of three months during 2009, with the aim of continuing into 2010.
According to project manager Lise Ann Sheehan the plan not only supports the creative industries in Limerick but assists vacant property owners by keeping their premises clean and active, at no cost to the owner. “All work displayed is available for sale and promotion,” she explained.
Gordon Kearney, from Rooney Auctioneers, is the estate agent to all properties so far involved in the project. “The landlords are very supportive of the project and think it’s a very clever initiative which will bring a bit of life back to their premises,” he said.
One of those involved in the initiative is The Knit Factory, a collaboration of four local knitwear designers, all graduates from Limerick School of Art and Design.
“We supply top-quality, Irish-designed knitwear to the home and international fashion markets,” explained Anne Behan. “This is a great opportunity for us to come together and highlight the indigenous industries thriving in our city.”