The mission of the Heritage Council is to develop a wide understanding of the vital contribution that our heritage makes to our social, environmental and economic well-being. Over the past 25 years, the Heritage Council has worked to protect, promote and support access to Irish heritage in all its expressions – built, natural, cultural, intangible, archaeological and scientific. In late 2020 the Heritage Council announced the Heritage Sector Support Fund scheme, intended to strengthen and stabilise the heritage sector in Ireland by providing support towards the core costs for heritage organisations.
Since 2021, the 100 Archive has been proudly supported by The Heritage Council. Through this support we have been able to complete a plan of activity which includes our annual archive selection which is published in spring. We have the capacity and funds to host an event to celebrate Heritage Week in early Autumn. This year, we hosted an in-person event ‘Sustainability by Design’ which saw a distinguished panel of leaders in the field, discuss and unpack ideas around sustainability and the role of the designer. From the momentum of our successful Heritage week event, we have begun publishing articles on the wider theme of sustainability. The article series Sustainability by Design was created by our Heritage Week panel, the 100 Archive articles team, as well as guest contributors.
Through the support of the Heritage Council, we are able to work with talented developers that keep our website looking and functioning incredibly well — massive thanks to Dotplex and Post for this work, which continues as resources allow.
We are lucky enough to have a dedicated team of volunteers that share not just their time but their expertise. From the steering committee members who plan and implement the year's activities, to the contributors who create article content to be published year round, and our two panels who assess work submitted for consideration to the annual archive selection. This year we recruited a new professional and archive panel, new steering committee members as well as new members to the articles team.
Through the Heritage Council support the 100 Archive also undertook a capacity building programme consisting of bespoke training and consultancy from Carmichael, the leading specialist training and support body for nonprofits in Ireland. With the help of Carmichael, the 100 Archive addressed its organisational structure, policies and governance, and put in place a range of new policies and procedures based on clearer responsibilities in order to fill roles based on a properly identified skills matrix. We are always on the lookout for folks to contribute to the next chapter of our development so stay tuned for more on this.
A big thank you to the Heritage Council, as well as the many individuals in the design community who volunteer their time and expertise. Thank you to everyone who submits work, contributes perspectives or simply keeps in touch.