2016 Galway was officially assigned as the European Capital of Culture for 2020. As a city this provides Galway with the opportunity to demonstrate their best cultural experiences that Galway has to offer. They aim to “Make Waves in 2020; waves of creativity, digital waves, disruptive waves, energetic waves and at the heart of Galway 2020 is the next wave of artists, creators, makers and shakers”. Community spirit is the core value that the organisers of Galway 2020 are determined to get across to the people of Europe threw their campaign, and they are committed to building great relationships amongst the various communities across the county of Galway. Since they have been designated this title the city has been working hard to put in place a great programme for Galway 2020. The organisers achieved this by asking the people of Galway what they would like to see and achieve from Galway 2020, and they came back with the following responses;

· An Artist in Every Place

Ø This is a flagship programme that hopes to have an artist in each location around Galway. It aims to create opportunities for new artists to a new and sustainable practice in Galway and across Europe. This programme will have 3 distinct parts. All of which will be interconnected. The programme will work on the assumption that high-quality artists can be based anywhere across the county, from small villages to Galway City itself. It will also work on the principle that networking across borders can occur from anywhere across Europe.

· An Ait Eile

Ø This is a non-profit cultural programme that’s main goal is to take an “autonomous, grassroots approach to arts in the West of Ireland”. The programme is a reply to the need in Galway for a dedicated, multi-cultural space for communities and people, allowing them to come together and portray their artistic ambition. It ensures that all the artists of Galway have access to everything they may need to make their dreams a reality by providing avenue for performing and producing, while also providing a space for peer education and content delivery. The money generated by such activities will go towards sustaining the space and providing it with any new facilities it may need.

· A sustainable Cultural Ecosystem

Ø This aims to create a sustainable cultural ecosystem where people of all ages from children to adults, can get together in various areas to contribute to, and build a better Galway 2020.