BIMM Dublin plays host to Minister Catherine Martin

We were honoured to welcome Minister Catherine Martin to the BIMM Dublin campus to launch our brand-new Music Production stream on the BA (Hons) Commercial Modern Music course.

Minister Martin is the deputy Green Party leader who has served as Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media since 2020. Having taught English and music, Catherine has been a massive supporter of the music and arts sector throughout what has been an extremely difficult period with the pandemic and beyond.

She was instrumental in launching the Music Industry Stimulus Package (MISP) and the Live Performance Support Scheme, aiming to assist those working in the music industry severely impacted by the pandemic. Her work on the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) saw 2,000 eligible artists and creative arts workers receive €325 a week to support their creative practices.

She also introduced initiatives such as extended club and venue opening hours as part of the Night-time Economy Support Scheme and, more recently, increased funding for Minding Creative Minds, which provides invaluable counselling services for those involved in the creative sector.

Minister Martin visited our songwriters in class, spent some time in our state-of-the-art studio and was presented with a commemorative gift, a live show, with performances from some of our incredible BIMM Dublin graduates and their successes.

BIMM Dublin College Principal Alan Cullivan added:

“I am very grateful to Minister Martin for taking the time from her very busy schedule to visit BIMM Music Institute Dublin and helping us celebrate the launch of the new Music Production stream into our BA Commercial Modern Music degree. Since taking up her current role of having responsibility for the arts, Minister Martin has been, I believe, firmly in the corner of musicians and artists of all persuasions. It was striking just how comfortable the Minister was during her visit to the college’s live room and studios. I couldn’t agree more with her complimentary comments about the hard work done by all our staff, lecturers and, most importantly, our fantastic students.”

Big thanks to Minister Catherine Martin’s continued support!