Mission Statement

We believe that members of all ages in the Wexford community should have access to a contemporary arts programme to inspire, innovate and challenge the creative thought process.  To support this belief, we deliver an arts programme of excellence for life and for all with emphasis on contemporary arts practice, participation and education and inspire creativity in the Wexford community.

How We do it.


Here are some of our main activities we deliver facilitated by qualified arts facilitators and administration:
  1. We host a year round programme of contemporary art exhibitions - free admission with educational free talks for the public
  2. We run workshops for all ages for toddlers and parents, school children, and adults  
  3. We host vibrant events in theatre, music, comedy, and dance with after-school programmes
  4. We provide subsidised rental rates for various clubs in the county, including Picture House film Club, Occupational Therapy Group and Wexford Life Drawing Group

Our History

Picture
Our home since 1974

Wexford Arts Centre was established in 1974, and we are very proud to be the oldest regional arts centre in Ireland. 

We are based in the historic listed Cornmarket building.

In 1772, Wexford Corporation purchased a piece of property from Mr. John Grogan of Johnstown Castle. Building of a market house commenced and was completed in 1776. 

The lower windows of today were arched recesses for the traders, a reminder of its market house days. Inside was a magnificent ballroom and supper room. 

The protestants of Wexford formed the Brunswick club here in 1882. The founder of the Methodists, John Wesley is said to have preached here and recorded in his journal that it was one of the best public rooms he had ever spoken in.

Following renovation, the assembly rooms as they were also known were popular venues for lectures and musical evenings well into this century and people such as Percy French, composer of “The Mountains of Mourne” among other popular songs appeared on a number of occasions. 

It became the headquarters of Wexford Corporation in the early part of this century and was known as the Town Hall. 

It opened its doors as the Wexford Arts Centre in 1974 and has been providing art and entertainment for native and visitor alike ever since.

Latecomers policy
Late comers are seated at the management’s discretion at a point in the performance and in a seat that will be least distracting to the performers and patrons in the theatre.

Bar Service
Pre Show drinks will be available up to one hour before the performance and during the interval for theatre style seating events from D'Lush Cafe.  Pre order interval drinks before the show to allow time to enjoy during the interval. No drinks apart from water/soft drink will be allowed into the theatre for these theatre style seating events.  Bar service will be available during cabaret style or standing room seating events only.