The Complex announces permanent closure after meetings to save it fail to produce solution

THE COMPLEX ARTS centre in Dublin has confirmed its permanent closure.

The multidisciplinary arts venue in Dublin’s north inner city was issued with a notice to quit its premises in November last year and has failed to retain its lease.

The news sparked a campaign to save the centre and raise funding for its future, backed by opposition parties and local groups.

A petition launched by the Save the Arts campaign group on the platform Uplift called on Dublin City Council and the Arts Council to take action to prevent The Complex from being evicted, garnered thousands of signatures.

On Monday, an emergency motion calling for the protection of The Complex was passed by Dublin City Council. It called on the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure and Culture to make public funds available to help secure the building.

Despite these efforts, The Complex released a statement on Thursday announcing its permanent closure. 

The statement signed by Vanessa Fielding, Artistic Director/CEO said that the closure was due to “the failure of Government and Dublin City Council to secure a viable resolution for an arts organisation that has operated continuously in the north-west inner city for 18 years”.

“During that time, The Complex developed into a nationally and internationally recognised centre for contemporary Irish arts, supporting hundreds of artists, freelancers, technicians, designers, producers, and staff, and providing sustained cultural infrastructure in an area of the city with limited access to the arts.

“Despite prolonged engagement and repeated assurances, no workable solution was delivered. The loss of The Complex represents a failure of cultural policy, accountability, and long-term planning within the public system.”

The team behind The Complex say efforts were impeded by a landlord, “focused exclusively on achieving vacant possession, to maximize the redevelopment value of the site.”

In the Dáil this week, Sinn Féin leader and TD for the area Mary Lou McDonald called on the government to save the building.

“At midnight tonight the lease expires and as it stands, we will lose this key project to our community.

“Promises of intervention have amounted to nothing. 

“The Complex has proven itself as a valuable resource in the heart of Dublin Inner City. Decades of work have seen this centre go from strength to strength.”

The venue’s programme for 2026, including its commissions, gigs and exhibitions, has now been cancelled.