About the Town Hall Theatre

 

Town Hall Theatre Galway, owned and managed by Galway City Council incorporating the state of the art 400-seater Main Auditorium and the 52-seater Studio Space at Courthouse Square, and the nearby, multi-purpose Black Box performance space (up to 550 seated, 800 standing) on Dyke Road presents an extensive and eclectic mix of theatre, concerts, musicals, dance, film, comedy and family shows year-round. The venue is open 362 days a year and 15 hours a day on average. The venue attracts audiences in excess of 100,000 annually (close to 2 million since we officially re-opened on 1st February 1996) making it the most successful theatre of its size in Ireland.

Each year, the venue is the epicentre of activity for virtually all of Galway's key festivals and cultural events including Galway International Arts Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, Cuirt Festival of Literature, Baboro Children's Festival and Galway Comedy Festival to name but a few. Druid have premiered many of their acclaimed and award-winning productions at the venue before embarking on national and international tours including successful Broadway and West End runs, and an increasing number of Galway International Arts Festival's own productions tour the world following premieres at Town Hall Theatre and Black Box. Acclaimed for consistently delivering the best of national and international talent year-round to Galway audiences, the venue's programme proudly features the work of many performers, companies, musical societies and arts organisations (both professional and amateur) from across the city and county.

The building which houses the Town Hall Theatre was erected in the 1820's and served first as a Courthouse and later as a conventional Town Hall. In the 1950's, the building was converted into a cinema and was used for film screenings until it fell into disrepair in the 1990's. Galway Corporation (now Galway City Council), with the assistance of a grant from the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, undertook a major refurbishment of the building mid-90's. The building was officially opened as a municipal theatre on the 1st of February 1996 by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Michael D Higgins, and the Mayor of Galway, Micheal O hUiginn. The opening event was the world premiere of the Druid production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh. The restoration of the Town Hall was part of a £2.3 million programme that also saw the subsequent completion of the nearby Black Box performance space. The Theatre is situated in the centre of Galway and features a fine portico overlooking the newly renovated Courthouse Square and a bar/cafe in the upper foyer.

1913 Oireachtas

Click here to see a 100 year old Town Hall photograph a 'who's who' of 1916 Rising!

The Town Hall, A Brief History By Tom Kenny

Read the full article here

To enquire about renting any of our theatre spaces, bar or gallery please contact the Theatre Manager at tht@galwaycity.ie

The Town Hall Theatre and Black Box are owned and managed by Galway City Council and their programme activities are supported by The Arts Council.

11 September 2023

Re: Governance Transparency/ Arts Council Funding

The Town Hall Theatre is Galway’s municipal theatre, owned and governed by Galway City Council within policies and procedures determined in the context of legal and fiscal obligations applying to Local Authorities.

Town Hall Theatre staff are employees of Galway City Council, and the operation of the theatre is managed by Galway City Council, overseen by the 18 elected members of Galway City Council (see attached elected members and the date of their election https://www.galwaycity.ie/council-mayor) and who generally serve 5 years terms.

Details of the financial performance of the Town Hall Theatre are included in Galway City Council’s Annual Financial Statement Audited.

Town Hall Theatre employs 7 full time (one member of staff earns in excess of €60,000; one employee is in the €40,000 - €50,000 bracket and four are in the €30,000 - €40,000 bracket and one is in the €20,000-€30,000 bracket) and the full-time equivalent of 12 others, who work on a part-time basis.

Town Hall Theatre does not engage in fundraising and if it ever did in the future, would comply with best practice regarding same as part of its own statutory obligations.

A copy of this letter, a copy of the Galway City Council Annual Financial Statement and a copy of the list of elected members of Galway City Council is available on the Town Hall Theatre’s website, www.tht.ie as part of Town Hall Theatre’s and Galway City Council’s commitment to the principles of the Governance Transparency Scale for organisations in receipt recurring Arts Council’s funding.

______________________
Elizabeth Fanning
Acting Director of Services
Housing, Economic Development and Culture
Galway City Council

(Updated in line with The Arts Council's Policy on the Fair and Equitable Remuneration and Contracting of Artists)

Statement of Policy

The Town Hall Theatre acknowledges the precarious nature of work and remuneration for the freelance artistic community in Ireland. We recognise that for artists to make their best work and build sustainable careers, they must be supported through the fair and equitable provision of finance, contracts, and resources, enabling them to meet their living costs and plan for their future.

In line with The Arts Council's Policy on the Fair and Equitable Remuneration and Contracting of Artists (2024), the Town Hall Theatre is committed to:

  • Upholding and promoting the principle that all artists should receive fair pay and decent working conditions.
  • Ensuring transparency, consistency, and respect in our contractual and financial dealings with artists.
  • Supporting the sustainability of artistic careers by embedding fair remuneration and contracting practice across all of our programmes and partnerships.
  • Encouraging and influencing partner organisations, visiting companies, and collaborators to follow similar standards of fairness and professionalism.

The Town Hall Theatre aims to standardise and improve the contracts and remuneration of artists when engaging them, whether under a contract for employment or a contract for services. We aim to show leadership in this area — particularly as many artists who work with us are at the early stages of their careers and will learn from the good precedents set by us.

Policy Principles (reflecting The Arts Council's approach)
  • Fair Pay: Artists will be paid appropriately for their time, skill, and creative contribution. As a minimum, we commit to paying at or above the latest published Theatre Forum Pay Scales.
  • Transparency: The terms of engagement, including fees, rights, and payment schedules, will be clearly communicated and agreed upon in writing before work commences.
  • Respect for Copyright and Intellectual Property: Town Hall Theatre respects the moral and economic rights of artists and will ensure fair and transparent treatment of intellectual property.
  • Equity and Inclusion: All artists will be treated equitably regardless of career stage, gender, ethnicity, or background, with opportunities for fair participation and progression.
  • Professional Standards: Contracts, communications, and payments will reflect a professional and respectful approach, consistent with The Arts Council's standards and Theatre Forum guidelines. Actions for Implementation
  • All artists engaged by Town Hall Theatre will be paid at or above the latest published Theatre Forum Pay Scales. Where no specific scale exists, fees will be determined through equitable negotiation.
  • All artists will be issued with a written contract for employment or contract for services, detailing the scope of work, agreed remuneration, and payment schedule.
  • Fees for artists engaged under a contract for services are calculated as a total, all-inclusive fee in line with sectoral pay scales, acknowledging the self-employed nature of the engagement.
  • All artists under a contract for services will receive Dignity in the Workplace and Health & Safety policies relevant to their engagement.
  • All contracts will clearly differentiate between fees, per diems, and expenses, with a clear payment schedule.
  • The copyright and moral rights of artists are fully respected and maintained.
  • Artists' fees will be ring-fenced in all project and production budgets and protected from reallocation to cover overruns in other areas.
Artists Not Directly Employed or Contracted by Town Hall Theatre

Town Hall Theatre frequently presents or hosts work by visiting companies and independent producers who directly contract and pay their artists. In these cases, Town Hall Theatre will:

  • Require all partners, visiting companies, and project collaborators to adopt The Arts Council's fair remuneration principles as a condition of our partnership agreement.
  • Include specific clauses in all co-production and presentation agreements that highlight the importance of fair pay and contracting.
  • Seek written assurance that artists are being paid in line with sectoral standards.
Review and Commitment

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure alignment with updates to The Arts Council's Fair and Equitable Remuneration Policy, Theatre Forum pay guidelines, and sector best practice. Town Hall Theatre remains committed to leading by example, ensuring that artists are valued, respected, and fairly compensated for their work and contribution to Ireland's cultural life.

⌂