Local Authorities launch 31 Culture and Creativity Strategies set to foster vibrant creative communities nationwide.
Investing in and supporting the creative ethos of individual communities across Ireland, these ambitious, bespoke Culture and Creativity Strategies 2018-2022 have been developed by a network of passionate, expert Culture Teams within the country’s 31 Local Authorities. These dedicated teams worked in consultation with artists, creatives, cultural and heritage organisations, community groups, creative industries, centres of education and schools, to tailor-make each locality’s plan.
The inspiring five-year strategies were launched today by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD., Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan TD., and Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy TD. Praising the pivotal role of Local Authorities in the Creative Ireland Programme, An Taoiseach said:
“Your work since the inception of the Programme goes way beyond the many great projects and initiatives you have created. Your work has, in fact, highlighted the critical role of our Local Authorities as providers and enablers of cultural and creative experiences, with all of the vitally important social, and indeed economic, consequences that follow.”
With the arts and creative endeavours now recognised more than ever before as crucial to society and community growth, strategies like these will see creative efforts in every locality thrive. With collaboration and shared purpose at the heart of the Creative Ireland Programme, each strategy provides meaningful opportunities for people and their communities, together with each Local Authority, to build and nurture a creative society.
Just some of the wealth of initiatives prioritised under these Creativity and Culture Strategies include, Kildare’s Citizen Scientist which sees members of the John Sullivan Centre/Irish Wheelchair Association Clane explore, record and sketch the flora and fauna in the centre’s biodiversity garden; while South Dublin’s If I Fall challenges negative representation of Tallaght, dance and masculinity through a collaboration between Rua Red South Dublin Arts Centre, The Civic Theatre and former UFC Fighter Paddy Holohan.
In Kerry, a Creative Sector Development Programme will assist creative practitioners in bringing their work to market and help secure local, national and international opportunities; Westmeath’s SkillsXChange initiative will encourage the sharing of expertise and innovation in craft and artisan skills between Syrian refugees and the Mullingar community; and in Monaghan there’s Campa Spraoi. Cuirfidh an campa blaiseadh den Ghaeltacht ar fáil i Muineachán. Gheobhaidh rannpháirtithe an champa léiriú ar shaol iomlán trí Ghaeilge – trí cheol, ealaíon, spórt, amhránaíocht, damhsa agus drámaíocht.
Ireland’s 31 Local Authorities play a central role in creating opportunities for us all as citizens to fully participate in our communities’ creative and cultural lives.
