IADT and Wexford Festival Opera Builds an Alliance

Two of Ireland's leading contributors to developing the creative industry sign a Memorandum of Understanding

Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology (IADT) and Wexford Festival Opera have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology (IADT). Yesterday's signing (Wednesday, February 6) of the Memorandum of Understanding was in the company of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD.

This formal agreement signifies the implementation and development of exciting new substantive educational and artistic collaborations between the two parties that sets out areas of partnership focusing on the establishment of an internship programme during the annual Wexford Festival Opera. Following today's agreement, IADT students will have an opportunity for gaining practical and observational firsthand experience in the areas of stage craft such as; makeup, prosthetics and wigs; costume and dressing; stage technician; properties, lighting and sound; and audio visual.

Speaking at the event, President of Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology, Dr Annie Doona said, "This announcement marks the beginning of a new exciting relationship between two vibrant contributors to Ireland's creative industries; the magnificent and inspiring Wexford Festival Opera and IADT. The signing will enable our students to work with Wexford Festival Opera and expedite their careers to making a real contribution as the designers, craftspeople and technicians shaping the future of opera production in Ireland."

Ger Lawlor, Chairman of Wexford Festival Opera went on to say, "For 62 years Wexford has been recognised as presenting opera to the highest international standards and for providing a springboard for young arts practitioners at the beginning of their careers. This collaboration with IADT will expose their students to technical, visual and musical excellence, working side by side with some of the most talented and well respected artists in the industry, giving them a comprehensive insight and practical experience in the building, staging and presentation of high-quality large and small scale operatic productions."

The 62^nd Wexford Festival Opera runs from Wednesday 23 October to Sunday 3 November, 2013. For more information visit www.wexfordopera.com

Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology (IADT)

Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology (IADT) established on 1^st April 1997, is a vibrant Institute of Technology that thrives on new ideas and creativity. IADT is the only Institute of Technology with a specific mission to drive and inform the creative, media and cultural industries through teaching research and innovation. IADT specialises in creativity and innovation as expressed in the arts, technology and entrepreneurship. IADT has recently been honoured as one of Europe's Top 100 Schools of Architecture and Design 2013. IADT is one of 13 publicly funded Institutes of Technology in Ireland, operating under the Institutes of Technology Act (2006). IADT is designated as a higher education institution under the Higher Education Authority www.hea.ie and receives its funding through HEA.

Wexford Festival Opera

Since 1951 Wexford has hosted what is now known as one of the world's most remarkable festivals. Wexford Festival Opera prides itself in giving new life to unjustly neglected operas and introducing audiences to rising talent. From the beginning, the company embraced new and upcoming young singers, many of whom were Irish, but it also embraced new names from the international scene who made first appearances there.

Today, Wexford Festival Opera is listed in the top 3 Festivals of Opera in the World according to the authoritative 2009 Frommer's Travel Guide and is also listed in the prestigious Debrett's Social Diary.

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