Dublin arts venue The Complex announces closure

The venue had been an ever-present sight within Dublin’s arts scene, and had launched a petition to try and secure its safety last month, however they have now announced their permanent closure.

Skiddle Staff

Date published: 19th Jan 2026

Longstanding Dublin arts venue The Complex has announced its permanent closure. The venue had launched a petition last month urging Dublin City Council, politicians and The Arts Council to help secure its safety prior to its closure date of 14th January.

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Since its opening in 2008, The Complex hosted exhibitions, gigs, sober raves, and was one of the only large-scale independent multidisciplinary arts centres in the city. The ‘#SaveTheComplex’ petition had received over 16,000 signatures.

Vanessa Fielding, the venue’s Artistic Director and CEO, said of the closure, “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.

“Our efforts have also been frustrated by an inflexible landlord, focused exclusively on achieving vacant possession, to maximize the redevelopment value of the site.

“This outcome stands in direct contradiction to stated commitments to support Irish arts, cultural employment, and equitable access to cultural life in Dublin.”

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