About Breaking Ground

Breaking Ground is the Ballymun Regeneration Limited per cent for art programme. To date Breaking Ground has launched some of the most significant, diverse and challenging public art projects in the history of the State, and as such is widely recognised as the flagship for contemporary public art projects in Ireland.

Breaking Ground has commissioned a huge variety of contemporary art projects, from permanent bronze works such as Andrew Clancy's Cathode / Anode located outside the main civic building in Ballymun, to large scale temporary projects such as Seamus Nolan's Hotel Ballymun.

Working with individuals, schools, community groups and local businesses, Breaking Ground is committed to being a continual and progressive resource within the local community. Breaking Ground is also keen to create intelligent debate and discussion about contemporary art, challenging perceptions about what can be achieved within communities. As such Breaking Ground has 2 key aims: to bring attention nationally and internationally to projects organised within Ballymun; and to expand and enrich the lives of communities through experiences with contemporary art. From the outset Breaking Ground wishes to acknowledge the work already being done in the community by local artists and organisations involved in or using the arts.

Background:

In 2000 Ballymun Regeneration Ltd. (BRL) commissioned a Per Cent for Art Strategy for Ballymun. This strategy, called 'Breaking Ground' was launched in February 2002 when the Artistic Steering Committee comprising artists, local representatives and other key people assessed 220 proposals from artists, arts organisations, schools, community organisations and other groups. After a rigorous selection process a variety of arts projects were recommended for commission

Breaking Ground has launched projects in phases, each phase lasting a number of years. Currently near the end of Phase 2, Phase 3 is in development and is expected to be the last Phase to coincide with the completion of the regeneration of Ballymun.

Phase 1: Launched in 2002, Phase one had 4 commissioning strands:
* Art projects which specifically engage the local community;
* Working with the built fabric;
* Once off innovative art events;
* Specific arts education, awareness and training initiatives

Phase 2: Launched in 2005, Phase 2 involved 3 strands:
* Local artist commissions;
* Collaborative commissions;
* Research Papers.

Per Cent for Art

The Per Cent for Art Scheme was first introduced in Ireland in 1988 by the Department of Environment. It allows for one per cent (up to a current maximum of Euro 63,486) on a construction budget, either new build or repairs and maintenance to be spent on commissioning art. Funds may be pooled to allow for major commissions and diversity in the nature of art commissioned under the scheme is encouraged.



Breaking Ground Team:

Ray Yeates: artistic Director
Paul McAree: Project Coordinator
To contact Breaking Ground by email:
paul.mcaree@axis-ballymun.ie