Hello Ray,
I tried to call you at the Arts office, but I was told that you're on holidays this week. I hope
that you see my letter before it is too late.
I understand that you have told Exchange Dublin that they need to close their doors
by Friday due to 'Anti-social behaviour'. I assume you're already
familiar with the petition on change.org to reverse this decision.
I just wanted to personally add my voice to this. I am not directly
involved with the Exchange. However, I have visited there several times;
for arts exhibits, story evenings, hand-craft sales, and other things. A
few times my husband, son, and I, have stopped in while passing and
there is always something interesting on. And even when I haven't been
able to visit myself, I have been glad to know that this island of art
and culture existed in our city.
According to John Tierney,
Dublin City Manager, in a press release in
2011, your role as Dublin City Arts Officer means that you are 'responsible for the continued development of the arts in the city of
Dublin'. Even if this alleged anti-social behaviour exists, and can be
traced back to the existence of the Exchange, I cannot
see how closing it fits with that purview.
For the sake of arts in Dublin, please reconsider.
Regards,
Sorcha
Slightly edited from email version sent to ray.yeates@dublincity.ie
