The extension of the national Creative Ireland Programme was announced by Minister Catherine Martin earlier this year – and is something that has been warmly welcomed in Laois.
The programme was established as a legacy initiative of the hugely successful Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme – a programme that enjoys the accolade of being the only one of its kind in the world.
At the core of the programme is the founding vision that creativity must be at the very heart of public policy and that participation in cultural and creative activity effectively promotes the wellbeing of the individual, the community and the nation at large.
Collaborating across government and in tandem with arts, community and voluntary organisations, the Creative Ireland Programme deploys creativity as a vital strategy for wellbeing, social cohesion and economic success.
Muireann Ní Chonaill Arts Officer & Creative Ireland Coordinator for Laois County Council said:
“On behalf of Laois County Council Culture & Creativity Team, I am delighted to welcome to Laois Sheila Deegan from the Creative Ireland Programme to share with us the focus of the Programme for the next 5 years.
“This programme to date has been innovative and effective in delivering opportunities for people to explore their creative potential with Creative Ireland Laois under the Creative Communities pillar receiving a total investment of €837,220 from 2018-2022.
“Key initiatives such as Cruinniú na nÓg and Creativity in Older Age have become embedded in Laois’s cultural infrastructure.
“Laois County Council Culture & Creativity Team consists of representation from Arts, Heritage, Libraries, Housing, Dunamaise Arts Centre, Music Generation Laois and LOETB’s Local Creative Youth Partnership.
“With the support of colleagues, artists and our creative communities, I look forward to working on the development of a new Culture & Creativity Strategy for 2023-2027 that will continue to enhance people’s lives across the county in the coming years.”
Sheila Deegan from the Creative Ireland Programme said: “Local authorities have extensive expertise across heritage, arts, libraries as well as vital local relationships.
“It is firmly believed that culture plays a key role in local government remits in creating great places to live and work.
“Creative Communities takes this a step further. Culture and creativity can be part of responses to social isolation, to creating a sense of place and to integrating new communities.
“We at the Creative Ireland Programme are looking forward to another 5 years of working with Laois County Council’s Culture & Creativity Team and creative communities to stimulate creativity for young and older people, members of the traveller community, voluntary groups and key stakeholders. “
For information on the Creative Ireland Laois programme, go to www.laois.ie and https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/laois/. For opportunities and upcoming activities, follow Creative Ireland Laois on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
SEE ALSO – Laois student receives prestigious President’s Scholar Award from University of Limerick
