Chairman’s Foreword

The Irish Museum of Modern Art was opened by Taoiseach Charles Haughey on 25th May 1991 as Ireland’s first Modern and Contemporary Art Museum. On that occasion he described IMMA and its home, The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, as “a space of magnificence”.

Despite the many challenges we have faced over the period of the pandemic, today’s campus is just as Mr Haughey described it. IMMA is a young organisation, but it has become renowned as a space for the exhibition of fascinating art from the best of Irish and international artists.

At the time of the museum’s establishment, a Board of Directors was nominated to oversee the organisation and many talented and distinguished people have given their time to IMMA over the years. I have been privileged to serve as the fifth Chairman for IMMA’s 30th birthday celebrations in 2021.

Our proposed celebrations for this special year were somewhat curtailed by pandemic but despite restrictions, the Museum delivered a dispersed programme online, in the galleries and across the site as part of the vibrant outdoor programme. Although the major concerts in the Meadow could not go ahead this year, we were delighted to host a very successful pilot event for 3,500 attendees, run by IMMA’s parent Department.

The galleries gradually opened in 2021 to present a major exhibition with singular elements that occupied all public spaces. The Narrow Gate of the Here-and-Now is an exhibition based on the works that IMMA has collected throughout its 30 years.

This has been a hugely ambitious and successful project that has showcased much the richness of the IMMA Collection.

The Board is energised by the plans for the coming years that will see IMMA build on the achievements of the previous three decades, to increase its public reach with an ambitious programme while also continuing to grow international connections to promote Irish Art globally.

I would like to thank Annie Fletcher, her executive, and her wider team for their unfaltering commitment and imagination that has continued differentiate IMMA as an energised and interesting place to visit. I must commend, in particular, the way that the team has re-invented ways of engaging with the public when normal life was disrupted. I would also like to thank the OPW for its support of the changing landscape on the grounds and helping to make the Royal Hospital Kilmainham a welcoming venue. I must also gratefully acknowledge the assistance received from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The Department has taken on a considerable amount of additional work as a result of an expanding remit and has continued to be of great support to IMMA.

My Board colleagues have also played a significant part in assisting with the smooth running of IMMA. Margot Lyons took the helm of the Board’s Finance, Audit & Risk Committee this year and has directed its work in exemplary fashion. John Cunningham has brought great energy as Chair to the Collections & Acquisitions Committee, and, as always, my other colleagues have been a great source of experience and guidance.

In 2022 we will launch a new five-year strategy that will encompass many of the forward-looking aspirations of the Director and the Board. It promises to be an exciting and ambitious plan. The Museum has been building capacity and ambition over the past few years and the new strategy will bring expansive ideas to strengthen IMMA’s global reach. We look forward to creative times ahead in a far less restrictive environment.

David Harvey
Chairman