‘Activations’, a capacity research and development programme for artists aged 55+ in Laois, was recently launched at The Laois Arthouse.
This was done by Muireann Ní Chonaill Arts Officer and Creative Ireland Coordinator for Laois County Council, and programme facilitator Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters (UK).
The aim of the programme is to ensure that creativity in older age is harnessed and supported, and the event was attended by artists from visual arts, writing and dance.
The programme will trial a monthly network meeting in December and January with opportunities for artists to present on their creative practice, and information exchange on current projects, upcoming exhibitions, needs for help and support.
In addition, Sarah Thornton will facilitate two days of training in direct response to artists’ interests and needs around Socially Engaged Arts and technical / digital supports.
‘Activations’ is an ideal mechanism for creatives to meet and build a network to value their existing wealth of skills and experience; access training opportunities; find out more about collaborating, locally, regionally and (inter)nationally – across disciplines/mediums; including exhibitions residencies and studio exchanges.
For more information on monthly networking meetings and training days, contact Laois Arts Office at artsoff@laoiscoco.ie and 057 8664109.
Or follow Creative Laois on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. ‘Activations’ is supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council Arts Office and Dunamaise Arts Centre
Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sarah Thornton working with participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Muireann Ni Chonaill at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sarah Thornton at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer; Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters and Catherine Guidera from the Laois Arts Office. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Participants at the launch of ‘Activations’, a capacity development project for Laois’s active ageing artists at Laois Arthouse & Library in Stradbally with Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois arts officer and Sarah Thornton, founding artistic director of Collective Encounters. Supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
