#weareculture - This hash tag became a powerful statement of the role that culture and creativity play in Limerick and a recognition that culture is created by and belongs to all of us. Hosting the National City of Culture in 2014 and the bid for the European Capital of Culture 2020, put a spotlight on Limerick’s ambitious cultural scene and opened it up to many of those who never before engaged in creative activity. It energised practitioners, it activated citizens and it contributed to placing culture at the core of public policy and planning for the future of Limerick.
In Limerick, culture is not simple, it has many layers. Aware of that, we look at Limerick through the lens of multiplicity and recognise the variety of identities, cultures, histories, landscapes and forms of expression that co-exist side by side giving our region its uniqueness. We see such multiplicity, interconnectedness and interdisciplinarity as necessary conditions for inclusive creativity and innovation that we aim to foster in Limerick.
The Creative Ireland vision for Limerick is to create a cultural confidence in our region so that the key decision makers and all Limerick citizens understand the importance of culture and creativity as a powerful agent for solidarity, sustainable development and wellbeing, and partake in achieving the goals set out in this strategy.
To achieve the ambitious vision set out by Creative Ireland Programme, Limerick is building on key strengths, which have become internationally recognised during the National City of Culture and European Capital of Culture bidding processes. These are:
• The strength of a number of Limerick’s cultural organisations and their capacity to develop as national institutions;
• Interest and leadership in grass roots community cultural development on the part of Limerick’s cultural sector;
• Deep commitment to the role of culture and arts in regeneration and capacity building;
• Building on the vibrancy of youth culture and the impact of a large student population;
• Building on the rich and dynamic local and intercultural heritage;
• Development and maintenance of positive local, national and international relationships.
