Creative Communities Interim Review

 
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Creative Communities Interim Review
Pillar 2 of the Creative Ireland Programme

                                          Creative
                                          Communities
                                          Interim Review

A Government of Ireland Initiative
Tionscnamh de chuid Rialtas na hÉireann

creativeireland.gov.ie
Creative Communities Interim Review
Contents
                                                                        Executive summary                         2   6. Key observations                     46

                                                                                                                         a) Strengths                         46
                                                                        Acknowledgements                          4      b) Areas of enhancement              48

                                                                        Part I – Context                              Part III – Conclusions
                                                                                                                      and recommendations
                                                                        1.	Background to
                                                                            Creative Communities                  8   7. Conclusions and recommendations 50
                                                                        2. Creativity in public policy           10

                                                                        3.	The Creative Communities                  Part IV – Appendices
                                                                            implementation framework             12
                                                                                                                      Appendix 1: Summary data on Creative
                                                                        4. Interim Review objectives             16   Communities projects and initiatives    54

                                                                                                                      Appendix 2: Membership of the
                                                                        Part II – Review of progress                  Interim Review Working Group            58

                                                                        5. Overview                              18   Appendix 3: Creative Ireland Coordinators’
                                                                                                                      meeting, December 2019:
                                                                           a) Culture and Creativity                 Summary feedback                       59
                                                                               Strategies – delivery and focus   20
                                                                                                                      Appendix 4: Analysis of evaluative
— COVER: Cruinniú na nÓg, Joe Caslin, Rua Red / Photo by Mark Stedman

                                                                           b) Creativity as a strategy               surveys carried out with Coordinators
                                                                               for wellbeing                     22   and Directors of Services within
                                                                           c) Creativity as a strategy               local authorities                       64
                                                                               for social cohesion               26

                                                                           d) Creativity as a strategy
                                                                               for economic development          30

                                                                           e) Delivery across
                                                                               the local authority               34

                                                                           f) Supporting innovation
                                                                               within the local authority        38

                                                                           g) Developing new partnerships and
                                                                               resources for the local authority 42
Creative Communities Interim Review
02          Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                        03                                       Executive Summary

Executive Summary

                                                                                                                       — Wexford – Bilingual Singing Workshop
The local government sector provides a wide
range of services ranging from infrastructure;
planning; housing; economic and community
development; and environment, emergency,
recreation, and amenity services.

        The 31 local authorities also have an                        strategy is managed through a cross-                                                       The review concluded that Creative            The strong public relations, communication
        extensive track record of community                          cutting Culture and Creativity Team with a                                                 Communities has substantially enhanced        and support from the Creative Ireland
        engagement through inter alia the arts,                      designated Creative Ireland Coordinator.                                                   the reach of local authorities, increasing    Programme at national level is valued
        culture, heritage, and library services                      Just as each local authority area has                                                      impact and visibility, and creating           by local government. In return, the
        which are fundamental to developing a                        distinct attributes, the 31 local strategies                                               opportunities for communities through         Department of Culture, Heritage and the
        wider creative economy and society. The                      within Creative Communities enable                                                         2,658 projects across Ireland in 2018 and     Gaeltacht benefits from the experience
        Creative Communities initiative therefore                    tailoring and targeting of programmes                                                      2019 alone which would not be supported       and insights of an extensive and cross-
        seeks to harness this potential, through                     to meet local needs and potential.                                                         by other funding streams. Exchequer           sectoral network across the country
        partnership between the Creative                                  Led by the Creative Ireland                                                           funding, and the integrated national–local    through the Creative Communities initiative.
        Ireland Programme in the Department                          Programme and the County and City                                                          model have been important catalysts in        The review nonetheless recognises the
        of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht                       Management Association, this interim                                                       the initiative, enabling local authorities    need for greater awareness of the positive
        and Ireland’s local authorities, to deploy                   review examined the effectiveness to date                                                  to strengthen pride of place and a sense      outcomes of creative engagement in
        creativity as a strategy for wellbeing,                      of Creative Communities in embedding                                                       of belonging that helps to make our cities    local development; working innovatively
        social cohesion and economic success.                        creativity within public policy at local level,                                            and counties more attractive places to live   across key policies such as climate action,
             The partnership is built around a                       and in engaging creativity as a strategy for                                               and work. Creative Communities has also       heritage, youth, local government, urban,
        common framework, within which each                          wellbeing, social cohesion and economic                                                    demonstrated a capacity to enable local       rural and community development and
        local authority developed a 2018–2022                        development. The review also explored                                                      authority and national community response     community health and wellbeing. This
        Culture and Creativity Strategy, following                   how delivery in collaboration with local                                                   in supporting community health and            will be achieved through more proactive
        local public consultation. Delivery of this                  authorities could be optimised in the future.                                              wellbeing through creative engagement.        communication with key stakeholders
Creative Communities Interim Review
04                                                           Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                    05           Executive Summary

                                                               across both local government and                             from architecture, archives, the arts,
                                                               relevant Government departments, and                         community, enterprise and environmental
                                                               enhanced collaboration between existing                      development, heritage, information
                                                               networks in areas of policy alignment.                       and communication technologies, Irish
                                                                    The Creative Communities initiative                     language, libraries, planning, tourism
                                                               has delivered notable successes in                           and more. Bringing together this level
                                                               engaging creativity as a strategy for                        of technical expertise affords a local
                                                               wellbeing, social cohesion and economic                      authority a level of insight, resources
                                                               development in what has been a relatively                    and functionalisation which few other
                                                               short timeframe. These successes                             public or private sector organisations
                                                               can be strengthened through clearer                          can match. Where they work well, these
                                                               targeting of the programme and, again,                       teams can harness the potential of Creative
                                                               communication has an important role to                       Communities to deliver on strategic
                                                               play in this regard. Concerns nonetheless                    priorities for each local authority.
                                                               remain that strategic development and                             In seeking to optimise future delivery,
                                                               momentum will be difficult to sustain in                     the interim review group makes a number
                                                               the absence of early clarity regarding                       of recommendations that encompass:
                                                               the post-2022 future of this initiative.                     1.	Consolidating the cross-cutting role
                                                                    The review makes clear that                                  and potential of the Culture and
                                                               Creative Communities has brought                                  Creativity Teams;
                                                               about new areas of delivery working                          2.	Enhancing communication to achieve
                                                               across the local authority, as well as                            better understanding of creativity and
                                                               supporting local authority innovation                             its value in supporting wellbeing, social
                                                               and new partnership development.                                  cohesion and economic success;
                                                                    Within local government, a critical                     3.	Aligning additional financial resources
                                                               success factor to date is the designation                         in delivering further targeted,             The review concluded that
                                                               of the Creative Ireland Coordinator                               collaborative and sustainable               Creative Communities has
                                                               from within each local authority to                               programmes across local communities;        substantially enhanced
                                                               lead the programme of their Culture                          4.	Monitoring and evaluation to support
                                                               and Creativity Team. It is nonetheless                            investment strategies at local level; and
                                                                                                                                                                             the reach of local
— Creative Ireland Kerry, The Welcoming Project, Brandon Bay

                                                               recognised that this approach also places                    5.	Delivering clarity regarding the future      authorities, increasing
                                                               additional responsibilities on certain                            of Creative Communities beyond 2022.        impact and visibility, and
                                                               staff and this challenge highlights the                                                                       creating opportunities for
                                                               value of underpinning the mechanism
                                                               through which Creative Communities
                                                                                                                                                                             communities through 2,658
                                                               enables local authorities to engage                                                                           projects across Ireland in
                                                               administrative and/or programme support.                                                                      2018 and 2019 alone which
                                                                    Another successful innovation of                                                                         would not be supported by
                                                               Creative Communities lies in the agility and
                                                               make-up of the Culture and Creativity
                                                                                                                                                                             other funding streams.
                                                               Teams as the driving force of this initiative.
                                                               These teams comprise a significant
                                                               range and level of expertise in every local
                                                               authority and can include professionals
Creative Communities Interim Review
06         Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                  07   Executive Summary

Acknowledgements

This interim review of Creative Communities
has been developed with the support of a
number of partners and individuals.
                                                                                                                                            Part I
       The Creative Ireland Programme would
       like to acknowledge the early guidance and
       support for the interim review, received
                                                                    and the Director and representatives
                                                                    of the Creative Ireland Programme in
                                                                    February 2020. It was this meeting, which
                                                                                                                                            Context
       from Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive,                        established the joint approach to the
       Meath County Council and former Chair                        interim review of Creative Communities.
       of the County and City Management                                 The interim review process was guided
       Association (CCMA), Ann Doherty, Chief                       by Co-Chairs, Tania Banotti, Director of the
       Executive, Cork City Council and Chair                       Creative Ireland Programme and Daniel
       of the CCMA Economic, Enterprise,                            McLoughlin, on behalf of the CCMA. The
       Community and Culture (EECC) Committee                       Co-Chairs would like to acknowledge
       and Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive,                      the members of the interim review
       South Dublin County Council and member                       working group for their contribution in
       of the CCMA-EECC Committee.                                  the development of the process, their
             The Creative Ireland Programme                         diligence in reviewing documentation
       would like to extend thanks to the Local                     and the insights they brought to bear.
       Government Management Association                                 The Co-chairs would also like to extend
       for their support in facilitating engagement                 their gratitude to the 31 Coordinators and
       with the CCMA-EECC committee,                                23 Directors of Services from Ireland’s
       particularly Marina Duffy and Mary                           Local Government Sector who took the
       O’Shaughnessy. The Creative Ireland                          time to share their work, their experience
       Programme also wishes to acknowledge                         and their perspectives on the effectiveness
       the openness and engagement of the                           of the Creative Communities initiative.
       CCMA-EECC committee members in                                    M.CO Projects provided valuable
       their meeting with Katherine Licken,                         research and policy development support
       Secretary General of the Department                          in the establishment, development and
       of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht                       drafting of this interim review.
Creative Communities Interim Review
08   Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review       09                                              Context

01   Background to                                                The Creative Ireland Programme evolved directly
                                                                  from the success of the Ireland 2016 Centenary
     Creative Communities
                                                                  Programme, where it was recognised that one of
                                                                  its most successful elements was the community
                                                                  engagement led by local authorities.

                                                                                                                                             Feedback from local authorities following
                                                                                                                                             the Centenary Programme saw a desire
                                                                                                                                             to harness the creativity and collaborative
                                                                                                                                             potential of the approach, and the Creative
                                                                                                                                             Communities partnership was designed
                                                                                                                                             to deliver this in a sustainable way.
                                                                                                                                                  The ambition for Creative Communities
                                                                                                                                             is embedded within the establishment of
                                                                                                                                             the Creative Ireland Programme, as set out
                                                                                                                                             in December 2016. The Creative Ireland
                                                                                                                                             Programme commits to collaboration;
                                                                                                                                             between central and local government,
                                                                                                                                             between culture and industry, between
                                                                                                                                             artists and policy makers, and seeks to place
                                                                                                                                             creativity at the centre of public policy.
                                                                                                                                                  Local authorities are the lead agencies
                                                                                                                                             in local development and play a key
                                                                                                                Local authorities are        leadership role across infrastructure,

                                                              — Left: Shop Talk, Leitrim. Above: IGS Workshop
                                                                                                                the lead agencies in local   place-making, enterprise, culture,
                                                                                                                                             community development, tourism and
                                                                                                                development and play
                                                                                                                                             the environment. Working collaboratively
                                                                                                                a key leadership role        therefore, the Creative Communities pillar
                                                                                                                across infrastructure,       in the Creative Ireland Programme seeks
                                                                                                                place-making, enterprise,    to harness the potential this provides to
                                                                                                                                             deploy creativity as a strategy for wellbeing,
                                                                                                                culture, community
                                                                                                                                             social cohesion and economic success.
                                                                                                                development, tourism
                                                                                                                and the environment.
Creative Communities Interim Review
10               Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review   11       Context

 02               Creativity in                                                 The Creative Ireland Programme defines
                                                                                'creativity' as a set of innate abilities and
                                                                                                                                 Creative Ireland Programme has worked with
                                                                                                                                 various Departments and agencies to make
                                                                                learned skills; the capacity of individuals      significant progress in embedding creativity
                  Public Policy                                                 and organisations to transcend accepted
                                                                                ideas and norms and by drawing on
                                                                                                                                 in public policy and delivering on the ambition
                                                                                                                                 of Government. Working collaboratively, the
                                                                                imagination to create new ideas that             Creative Ireland Programme has focused
                                                                                bring additional value to human activity.        on both supporting direct engagement with
                                                                                      Creativity is embedded in the new          creativity (e.g., on education, institutions,
                                                                                Programme for Government (June 2020),            industry) as well as creativity as a way of
                                                                                which commits to:                                engaging with broader societal issues (e.g.,

 The Creative Ireland Programme is an all-of-Government                         — Support ongoing implementation of
                                                                                      the Creative Ireland programme;
                                                                                                                                 mental health, social marginalisation, rural
                                                                                                                                 isolation, poverty, isolation of the aged,

 programme. Its work is overseen by a Senior Officials                          — Support Creative Ireland in their
                                                                                      ‘Engaging the Public on Climate Change
                                                                                                                                 individuals with disabilities or special needs,
                                                                                                                                 migrant integration, intercultural dialogue,

 Group, chaired by the Secretary General at the                                       through the Cultural and Creative
                                                                                      Sectors’ initiative;
                                                                                                                                 climate action, biodiversity loss). The range
                                                                                                                                 of programme delivery includes, for example,

 Department of the Taoiseach, and it is based at the                            — Implement the Audio-visual Action Plan;
                                                                                — Expand Creative Schools, ensuring
                                                                                                                                 collaboration with the:
                                                                                                                                 — Department of Education and Skills,

 Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.                                   every child in Ireland has access to
                                                                                      tuition and participation in art, music,
                                                                                                                                      Department of Children and Youth
                                                                                                                                      Affairs and the Arts Council on the
                                                                                      drama and coding. Ensure it continues           implementation of the Creative
                                                                                      beyond the life of Creative Ireland             Youth Plan. The implementation of
                                                                                      and to work with the Department of              the Plan includes initiatives such as
                                                                                      Education to achieve this.                      300+Creative Schools across the
                                                                                — Further collaboration between local                 country at any one time;
                                                                                      authorities and local arts organisations   — Department of Foreign Affairs and
                                                                                      through Creative Communities.                   Trade in the development of Global
                                                                                — Development of a Digital Creative                   Ireland, the Government’s strategy
                                                                                      Industries Roadmap.                             for doubling the scope and impact of
                                                                                The Programme for Government                          Ireland’s global footprint and how Irish
                                                                                additionally commits to work to ensure that           culture can contribute to the reputation
                                                                                local authorities are sufficiently supported          of Ireland overseas;
                                                                                to allow the fulfilment of long-term strategic   — Department of Communications,
                                                                                cultural and arts planning at a local level.          Climate Action and Environment
                                                                                                                                      in leveraging the role culture and
                                                                                     Culture 2025 is the national policy              creativity can play in relation to public
                                                                                framework that defines the scope and sets             engagement on climate change;
                                                                                the direction of Government policy for the       — Department of Health, Healthy Ireland
                                                                                whole cultural sector. It recognises that the         and the HSE in relation to health and
                                                                                Creative Ireland Programme will continue to           wellbeing; and
                                                                                                                                 — Department of Social Protection in
— Galway Circus

                                                                                be the primary implementation framework for
                                                                                the promotion and strengthening of culture            relation to the Social Welfare Scheme
                                                                                and creativity throughout Ireland. Since              for Professional Artists on Jobseekers
                                                                                its establishment in December 2016, the               Allowance.
Creative Communities Interim Review
12   Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review    13      Context

03   The Creative Communities                                       While Creative Communities is the primary
                                                                    pillar supporting partnerships with the
                                                                                                                    Local authorities have the expertise and
                                                                                                                    experience to evolve delivery of Creative
                                                                    31 local authorities, it is clear that the      Communities. They have flexibility in their
     Implementation Framework                                       other four pillars of the Programme align
                                                                    with the work and ambition of each and
                                                                                                                    individual Culture and Creativity Strategies
                                                                                                                    to best meet the needs in their area. This
                                                                    every local authority wherein elements of       approach is underpinned by the principles
                                                                    youth, infrastructure, industry and external    guiding Creative Communities:
                                                                    reputation are also central to place-making.    — To encourage increased participation in
                                                                                                                         creative and cultural activities locally;
                                                                         Strategic Approach                         — Ensure that resources and delivery

     The Creative Ireland Programme                                 In early 2017, following the launch of the
                                                                    Creative Ireland Programme, extensive
                                                                                                                         mechanisms coalesce to bring about
                                                                                                                         longer term change across the culture

     comprises five pillars at national level                       public consultation took place in every city
                                                                    and county across Ireland to explore how
                                                                                                                         and creative sectors;
                                                                                                                    — To increase collaboration across
                                                                    Government could build on success of the             the local authority structures;
                                                                    partnership and programming that had            — Support capacity building and recognise
                                                                    been central to the Ireland 2016 Centenary           and build upon each team member's
                                                                    Programme. This consultation, supported              role, experience and function;
                                                                    by the Creative Ireland Programme, led to       — Promote the value creativity and
                        Pillar 1                                    the development of a five-year Culture and           culture offers to society including the
                        Creative Youth                              Creativity Strategy for each local authority         transformative effect it can have on the
                                                                    area. The strategies are unique to each local        lives of individuals and communities in
                                                                    authority, reflecting the breadth of cultural        helping to address societal challenges
                        Pillar 2                                    and creative work being undertaken in each           (e.g., in the areas of education, health
                        Creative Communities                        area, the vision and values of each local            and wellbeing); and
                                                                    authority and their strategic priorities.       — Support and complement existing
                                                                         A Memorandum of Understanding                   local authority plans such as the
                        Pillar 3
                                                                    between the Department of Culture,                   Local Economic and Community Plan,
                        Creative and Cultural Infrastructure        Heritage and the Gaeltacht and                       County Development Plan and various
                                                                    Department of Housing, Planning and Local            sectoral plans and strategies.
                        Pillar 4                                    Government agreed to jointly invest in
                                                                    projects and initiatives implementing these         Creative Communities is now supported
                        Creative Industries
                                                                    Culture and Creativity Strategies across the    by both Departments through a three year
                                                                    31 local authorities. This support recognises   SLA 2020 –2022 with each local authority.
                        Pillar 5                                    that culture and creativity are essential
                        Global Reputation                           to sustaining and developing vibrant
                                                                    communities and places throughout Ireland.
Creative Communities Interim Review
14       Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                               15      Context

          Local Coordination and Delivery                         The Teams working within the local                    Programme Funding                        Recognising that the Culture and
     Within each local authority, delivery of their               authority are generally made up local            Under their Memorandum of Understanding,      Creativity Teams and the Creative Ireland
     Culture and Creativity Strategy is led by a                  authority officials including Arts               the Department of Culture, Heritage and       Coordinators come from within the existing
     Director of Services. A designated Creative                  Officers, Heritage Officers, Librarians,         the Gaeltacht and the Department of           staff of each local authority, an element of
     Ireland Coordinator, appointed from within                   Community Development, Irish                     Housing, Planning and Local Government        annual programme funding can be used
     each local authority by the respective Chief                 Language Officers, representatives of            commit to providing funding via the           to engage administrative support on a
     Executive, acts as the primary contact for                   the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and/           Creative Ireland Programme (noting that       temporary basis and for related travel costs.
     the purposes of the Programme. Delivery                      or Economic Development Sections,                such funding is subject to normal annual           In coordinating the Programme
     is managed through a Culture and Creativity                  and often include Planners, Archivists,          budgetary and estimates processes).           at national level, the Creative Ireland
     Team established as a cross-cutting                          Conservation Officers and representatives        Over 2018 and 2019, exchequer current         Programme officials provide for:
     project team within each local authority.                    from other sections within the local             funding of €6.55 million was made             — Quarterly meetings for Culture and
     The purpose of the Team is to:                               authority. Some local authorities also           available to local authorities to enable           Creativity Teams and Coordinators
     — Enable a shift in how the creative                         include members of cultural and/or               them to implement their strategies.                to share learnings, highlight new
          and cultural sector is valued within                    community organisations in their Teams.               These figures yield a sum of €96,775          opportunities;
          and across local authorities by using                                                                    per annum made available to support an        — Communications and public information
          innovative approaches to project                                                                         annual programme in each local authority.          on the Creative Ireland Programme
          development;                                                                                             While this funding is provided at the              website www.creativeireland.gov.ie
     — Drive cross-collaborative actions                                                                           same rate for all 31 local authorities,            with a dedicated section for each local
          to support change and positive                                                                           additional funding is provided by the              authority, digital platforms, press
          outcomes locally;                                                                                        Department of Culture, Heritage and                and PR support and incorporation of
     — Be innovative and take risks – try new                                                                      the Gaeltacht for Cruinniú na nÓg,                 Creative Communities initiatives into
          projects and new ways of working;                           Local authorities are                        comprising €15,000 per annum for twenty            national and regional media campaigns.
     — Build on existing in-house expertise                           the lead agencies in local                   seven local authorities, and €75,000 per      — An online portal captures information
          and strategies to offer real strategic                                                                   annum for each of the four Dublin local            on each initiative supported by the
                                                                      development and play
          support for culture and creativity to                                                                    authorities in recognition of their greater        Creative Ireland Programme and
          thrive through the Creative Ireland                         a key leadership role                        population size. Over 2018 and 2019,               consequently enables an overview
          Programme;                                                  across infrastructure,                       these partnerships with local authorities          of the number, breadth and scope of
     — Focus on diversity and inclusivity                             place-making, enterprise,                    enabled by Creative Communities, yielded           initiatives taking place. (Appendix 1
          and enable harder to reach                                                                               2,658 projects delivered across all five           sets out a summary of projects and
                                                                      culture, community
          communities to participate; and                                                                          pillars of the Creative Ireland Programme.         initiatives implemented in 2018–2019).
     — Provide a unified voice within local                           development, tourism
          authority structures for the creativity                     and the environment.
          and culture sector.
Creative Communities Interim Review
16   Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review         17   Review of Progress

04   Interim Review
     Objectives

     The purposes of this
     Interim Review were:
     a)	Review the experiences and effectiveness of the Culture
         and Creativity Teams to enable local authorities to:
     — Embed creativity in public policy across Local Government                              Part II
                                                                                              Review of
     — Engage creativity as a strategy for wellbeing, social
         cohesion and economic development

     b)    Map good practice through case studies.

     c)	Consider the strategic approach to Pillar 2 – Creative
                                                                                              Progress
         Communities, and explore how delivery in collaboration
         with local authorities could be optimised in the future.
18       Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                    19                                          Review of Progress

05       Overview

                                                                                                               — The Folklore Collection, Michael Fortune
     The interim review sought to assess the
     effectiveness of the Creative Communities
     initiative and, within that, to identify strengths
     of the programme and areas for enhancement.

     This was achieved through a workshop                         The first set of case studies explored                                                    effective strategy for wellbeing and social   —   Delivering across the local authority;
     with Creative Ireland Coordinators in                        alignment of Creative Communities with the                                                cohesion, than for economic development.      —   Supporting innovation within the local
     December 2019, and follow-up surveys in                      ambition of the Creative Ireland Programme                                                However, further analysis demonstrates            authority; and
     June 2020 with these Coordinators and                        to engage creativity as a strategy for:                                                   that significantly less emphasis has been     —   Developing new partnerships and
     with local authority Directors of Service                                                                                                              placed by local authorities on utilising          resources for the local authority.
     chairing the Culture and Creativity Teams.                   —   Wellbeing;                                                                            Creative Communities to target economic
     The workshop and surveys also sought                         —   Social cohesion; and                                                                  development to date, and there is             The feedback from local authorities makes
     feedback in relation to implementation                       —   Economic development.                                                                 therefore less evidence against which         clear that the approach and framework
     of the local authorities’ 2018 –2022                                                                                                                   to assess its effectiveness in this regard.   of Creative Communities has brought
     Culture and Creativity Strategies, and                       The feedback from local authorities                                                            As set out in Section 2 above, the       about much closer collaboration between
     the alignment the Creative Communities                       reflects a strong consensus that Creative                                                 Creative Ireland Programme has become         cultural and creative disciplines at local
     initiative has achieved with the ambitions                   Communities has been an effective strategy                                                an important contributor to public            authority level and, in many cases, the
     of the Creative Ireland Programme.                           in helping to address those challenges.                                                   policy at national level. The second set      collaboration and impact extends further
           The survey of Coordinators                             When analysed across the three facets of                                                  of case studies considered how Creative       across the local authority and its partners.
     additionally sought to identify two case                     this ambition (wellbeing, social cohesion                                                 Communities might help to embed                    A summary of the survey feedback
     study projects from within each local                        and economic development), the responses                                                  creativity within public policy at local      is set out within this section, below,
     authority. These case studies provided                       initially suggest that the majority of                                                    level. In line with the ethos and ambition    with a number of the case studies also
     insights into how Creative Communities                       both local authority Coordinators and                                                     of the Creative Ireland Programme,            included for illustrative purposes.
     delivers for local government.                               Directors regard creativity as a more                                                     these case studies focused on:
20        Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                 21            Review of Progress

05a       Culture and Creativity
          Strategies – delivery and focus

           Over 90% of Coordinators estimated                      —   Closer alignment with wellbeing, social
      that delivery of priorities in their local                       cohesion and economic development;
      authority’s strategy has been progressed by                  —   The impacts of COVID-19 necessitating
      50% or more. The majority of Coordinators                        a major re-think with a greater focus
      consider both the values and the priorities                      on supporting local communities
      of their strategy to be relevant. However, a                     and stimulating local economies.
      significant number (25%) believe that some                   —   The need for local authorities to
      refocusing is warranted, particularly in                         prioritise longer term projects or
      relation to priorities. Where Coordinators                       take account of the local authority’s
      identified that the values and/or priorities                     role in other initiatives such as
      of strategies were only partly relevant,                         Creative Youth; and
      this assessment was based on a number                        —   The need for a stronger emphasis
      of considerations, including:                                    on diversity.

                                                                                                                 Over 90% of Coordinators
                                                                                                                 estimated that delivery
                                                                                                                 of priorities in their local
                                                                                                                 authority’s strategy has
          Coordinators rating
                                                                                                                 been progressed by 50%
                                                                                                                 or more. The majority of
                                                                                                                 Coordinators consider
                                                                                                                 both the values and
              91%                                                              9%                                the priorities of their
          Progressed by
          more than 50%
                                                                           Progressed by
                                                                           less than 50%
                                                                                                                 strategy to be relevant.
22        Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                           23                               Review of Progress

05b       Creativity as a
          strategy for wellbeing

                                                                                         — Mobile Music Machine
           The majority of local authorities rated creativity as either effective or
      highly effective in helping to promote wellbeing. For Coordinators (n=31)
      these ratings total 81% with 58% of respondents rating it effective and 23%
      rating it highly effective. For Directors (n=23) the ratings total 78.5% with
      56.5% of respondents rating it as effective and 22% rating it highly effective.

          Coordinators rating
                                                                                                                                                        Case Studies
                                                                                                                                                  In Waterford, Focus Ireland tenants
              81%                                                      0%                                         The majority of local
                                                                                                                                                  worked closely with artists, gardeners
          Effective / highly effective                             Not a focus of work                            authorities rated creativity    and local organisations to create a new
                                                                                                                  as either effective or highly   garden space to be used by residents and
              19%                                                      0%                                         effective in helping to         visitors. In Clare, the ‘Cultural Companions’
          Somewhat effective                                       Not effective                                  promote wellbeing.              initiative worked in partnership with Age
                                                                                                                                                  & Opportunity to create opportunities
                                                                                                                                                  for substantial numbers to attend
                                                                                                                                                  cultural events, helping to combat
                                                                                                                                                  social isolation among older people.
          Directors rating                                                                                                                        An intergenerational choir project in
                                                                                                                                                  Donegal demonstrates how creativity
                                                                                                                                                  can be used as a strategy for individual
              78.5%                                                    0%                                                                         and community wellbeing. The project
          Effective / highly effective                             Not a focus of work                                                            is led by the Social Inclusion Unit of
                                                                                                                                                  Donegal County Council and the
                                                                                                                                                  support through Creative Communities
              21.5%                                                    0%                                                                         has helped the choir to become firmly
          Somewhat effective                                       Not effective
                                                                                                                                                  established. Louth County Council engaged
                                                                                                                                                  creativity as a strategy for individual and
                                                                                                                                                  community wellbeing with older men.
                                                                                                                                                  Their project is set out, hereunder.
24       Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                   25           Review of Progress

         CASE STUDY — WELLBEING

         Louth County Council
         Everyman

           What outcomes / benefits did the                             How did the project deliver
     project deliver in relation to wellbeing?                    these benefits / outcomes?
     This project provided 25 older men                           This project embraced the six values
     (55–80) with a weekly creative outlet                        set out in Louth’s Cultural and Creativity
     for 9 months. Involving song/story, it                       Strategy: Collaboration, Inclusivity,
     engaged them through involvement in                          Empowerment, Participation, Community
     every step of the project from writing                       and Communication.
     song/stories to the final performance                              The provision of a Cultural Communities
     of a song cycle they created in An Táin                      fund, a key action of Louth’s strategy,
     Arts Centre. It provided a platform                          enabled the project to be supported
     for the men to work with professional                        and developed. In essence, this project
     local artists and perform at a very high                     used cultural conversations with artists/
     standard as a result. Following the success                  facilitators to promote culture-led
     of the project, some of the participants                     development within the community.
     went on the following year to take part                            There were three workshops held at
     in the Abbey Theatre’s 5x5 project.                          the start of the project which contributed
           In terms of wellbeing results, all those               to the social engagement of the group and
     who participated took part in writing                        shone a light on the issue participants faced
     sessions, which they found beneficial                        in their daily lives. Older people often find
     and (in their own words) ‘like ‘therapy                      themselves excluded from certain creative
     sessions’. This led to open chats with                       activities, but through these dedicated
                                                                                                                  Older people often find
     the facilitators which they felt gave them                   facilitated sessions, positivity and wellness   themselves excluded
     ‘headspace’, particularly as they were not                   within their lives was enhanced.                from certain creative
     ‘of the generation used to opening up’.                            There was added value when a spin-off     activities, but through
           The participants had never been                        project was subsequently accepted by the
     exposed previously to anything similar                       Abbey Theatre for further development.
                                                                                                                  these dedicated facilitated
     and they collectively benefitted from the                                                                    sessions, positivity and
     camaraderie and social connections that                                                                      wellness within their
     evolved over the period. For individuals, it                                                                 lives was enhanced.
     targeted social isolation and it has increased
     their own level of participation in creativity
     as well as attendance at cultural activities.
26        Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                             27                                         Review of Progress

05c       Creativity as a strategy
          for social cohesion

                                                                                         — Laois County Council, Get to Know Laois
           An equal amount (74%) of local authority Coordinators (n=31) and
      Directors (n=23) rated creativity as an effective or highly effective strategy
      in helping to promote social cohesion. It is notable however that a higher
      proportion of directors (22%) rated creativity as a highly effective strategy
      compared with coordinators (16%) in this regard. Across both cohorts,
      26% rated creativity as somewhat effective as a strategy for social cohesion.

          Coordinators rating
                                                                                                                                          Case Studies
                                                                                                                                     In Limerick, the Creative Ireland Programme    In many respects, these projects of social
              74%                                                      0%                                                            enabled three arts organisations to work       cohesion are also projects of place-making,
          Effective / highly effective                             Not a focus of work
                                                                                                                                     together in a project which integrates young   where local people own shared experiences
                                                                                                                                     people from differing parts of the city, who   that are as important to identity and vitality
              26%                                                      0%                                                            would otherwise be unlikely to socialise       as shared infrastructure. The same is also
          Somewhat effective                                       Not effective                                                     together. Creative Rathdangan in Kildare       true of ‘Lost Palace of Lixnaw’, where Kerry
                                                                                                                                     provided a cultural platform to explore and    County Council brought a rural community
                                                                                                                                     document the changing context around           together through exploration of local
                                                                                                                                     Bord na Móna’s withdrawal from the area        heritage. The project ‘Get to know Laois’
                                                                                                                                     and the challenges and opportunities that      also leveraged local assets but, in this case,
          Directors rating                                                                                                           this transition would bring.                   by introducing the culture and heritage of
                                                                                                                                                                                    Laois to people who were new to the area.

              74%                                                      0%
          Effective / highly effective                             Not a focus of work

              26%                                                      0%
          Somewhat effective                                       Not effective
28       Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                   29                  Review of Progress

         CASE STUDY — SOCIAL COHESION

         Laois County Council
         Get to Know Laois
           What outcomes / benefits did                           The 100 participants in total (a blend of       5.	The feedback from all participants           This type of initiative solely for new
     the project deliver in relation to social                    families and individuals) communicated their        was of excitement and interest in the        communities would not have been
     cohesion? — This is an ongoing project                       enjoyment of the excursions in terms of:            excursions and the delight to see other      considered and/or designed by any
     focusing on introducing new communities                      1. 	Meeting native Irish people to talk            parts of Laois, getting to know more         individual current Culture and Creativity
     to Laois, in particular those coming from                         to on a range of subjects; their               about the county, building up a picture      Team member within their own working
     diverse international backgrounds. The                            backgrounds, how they came to Ireland,         of the county and its people, feeling        remits. By coming together and working
     initiative is a positive statement within                         the reasons for coming, life within the        more integrated, less isolated, doing        as a single team, it enabled the opportunity
     the county and proactively responds                               Direct Provision Centre (DPC) and              something that was different to the          to identify and target specific groups and
     to the challenges around wellbeing and                            emergency accommodation, and their             growing monotony of their days without       also integrate the key roles and assets of
     integrating new communities into the                              desire to work and put down roots;             status clarification, employment and         team members. Delivering the project was
     fabric of Laois society.                                     2.	They were interested in seeing                  their culture, family and friends.           also enabled by partnership with Laois
           Starting in 2019, the project focused                       more of the county and these bus                                                            Asylum Migration and Integration Service
     on excursions for residents from two                              tours to cultural and heritage sites            How did the project deliver these           and the insight, expertise, knowledge
     Direct Provision Centres and one                                  enabled a broader understanding of         benefits / outcomes? — The Laois Culture         and connections their support worker
     emergency accommodation centre in                                 the geography and landscape of the         and Creativity Strategy 2018–2022 aims           had with new communities, as well as the
     the county; proactively welcoming new                             county, as well as the history of Laois,   to provide opportunities for everyone in         managers of the DPCs and emergency
     communities to Laois and introducing                              its past and contemporary culture;         the county to become involved in creativity      accommodation.
     them to the treasure trove of arts, heritage                 3.	Many of the participants would not have     and culture through a programme of                    The current reality of COVID-19 is a
     and tourist attractions in the county. It                         travelled outside Abbeyleix, Portlaoise    participation and engagement. This enabled       deterrent to collective excursions/activities
     also acted as a networking opportunity                            or Mountrath since their arrival in the    the Culture and Creativity Team to plan          at this point, and the Laois Culture and
     for people of Middle Eastern, Asian,                              county. People with children in the        and design an initiative targeting new           Creativity Team is actively looking at other
     African and Central American origins                              school system seemed more integrated       communities to Co Laois.                         pathways for these communities to benefit
     to meet with each other and share their                           than those who had come alone without           In addition, the theme of ‘A Sense of       from the initiative, through working directly
     experiences of being in Laois and also                            other family members;                      Place’ in the strategy encompasses a diverse     with local community groups in the towns
     their experience of the asylum service.                      4.	Due to limited proficiency in the English   range of components that contribute to           with DPCs and emergency accommodation.
           Questionnaires were used to collect                         language, the ability to understand        creative placemaking. The Get to know
     feedback and the evidence makes clear                             factual information on heritage was        Laois initiative leveraged the wider potential
     that the experience contributed greatly to                        evident and the need for Creative Laois    of culture – including language, food,
     their sense of wellbeing. Feedback through                        to include ‘making, doing, creating’       architecture, heritage, storytelling, and
     direct conversations with participants                            activities in future phases has been       nature – to deliver a purposeful programme
     reflected this as well as feedback from                           built in to 2020 planning; and             for new communities.
     the project partners, the Laois Asylum
     Migration and Integration Service.
30        Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                            31                                      Review of Progress

05d       Creativity as a strategy for                                                                                                                         Case Studies
                                                                                                                                                         In Galway City, the ‘Designer Makers’ project
                                                                                                                                                         offered an opportunity for new creative
          economic development                                                                                                                           partnerships between Galway City’s
                                                                                                                                                         strong creative community and the city’s
                                                                                                                                                         equally strong IDA-supported multinational
                                                                                                                                                         companies. The IDA regional office, Galway
                                                                                                                                                         LEO and the Creative Ireland Coordinator
                                                                                                                                                         worked together to deliver the project.
                                                                                                                                                               Mayo County Council invested in
          Based on their experience of the Creative Communities initiative, the                                                                          a ‘Ireland’s Edge – Awakening Creativity’
      highest proportion of both local authority Coordinators (45%) and Directors                                                                        conference as part of the ‘Other Voices’
      (52%) rated creativity as somewhat effective in helping to promote economic                                                                        music festival Ballina. The investment
      development. Almost 40% of Directors (n=23), however, rated creativity as                                                                          through Mayo’s Creative Ireland
      an effective or highly effective strategy for economic development, compared                                                                       Programme, helped to secure additional
      with less than 33% of Coordinators (n=31) who viewed it in this regard.                                                                            support and sponsorship which enabled this
                                                                                                                                                         event to be staged twice in Ballina, bringing
                                                                                                                                                         visitors and international profile to the area.
                                                                                                                                                               The Creative Ireland County Cork
          Coordinators rating
                                                                                                                                                         Pop-up Shop Scheme benefited a range of
                                                                                                                                                         groups in getting projects off the ground
                                                                                                                                                         by enabling temporary retail opportunities.
              33%                                                      19%                                                                               With an initial focus on creating a
          Effective / highly effective                             Not a focus of work

                                                                                         — ‘Designer Makers’ project, Galway City
                                                                                                                                                         direct economic return for designers,
                                                                                                                                                         craftspersons and artists involved, there
              45%                                                      3%                                                                                are indirect benefits in driving additional
          Somewhat effective                                       Not effective                                                                         footfall and spending in local towns.
                                                                                                                                                               In Leitirm, ‘Small Sparks’ saw Leitrim
                                                                                                                                                         County Council’s Arts Office and Local
                                                                                                                                                         Enterprise Office create opportunities
                                                                                                                                                         for local businesses to collaborate with
          Directors rating                                                                                                                               artists in order to promote innovation
                                                                                                                                                         and creativity within their companies.

              40%                                                      4%
          Effective / highly effective                             Not a focus of work

              52%                                                      4%
          Somewhat effective                                       Not effective
32       Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                  33   Review of Progress

         CASE STUDY — ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

         Longford County Council
         Still Voices Film Festival,
         Ballymahon
          What outcomes / benefits did the                             ow did the project deliver
                                                                      H
     project deliver in relation to economic                          these benefits / outcomes?
     development? — Still Voices has become                       —   The framework of Longford’s Cultural
     one of Ireland’s premier short film                              and Creativity Team enabled Still Voices
     festivals. What started as a small one-                          to transition from a community project
     night showcase for local filmmakers, has                         to an economic project, partnering
     grown to a weekend festival, screening                           with the Local Enterprise Office, and
     the best of both Irish and international                         the Local Authority Town Team.
     short films and generating employment                        —   This led to the development of a new
     for creatives in Longford and the region.                        strategy and business plan to create a
     The festival also contributes to the wider                       roadmap for the future of the festival.
     economies of Longford and Westmeath,
     attracting clientele for bars, restaurants
     and accommodation providers.
          The festival has also established a
     strategic partnership with Athlone IT,
     providing a platform for undergraduate and                       What started as a small
     postgraduate programmes across animation                         one-night showcase for
     and illustration, and supporting the skills
     development agenda in the midlands.
                                                                      local filmmakers, has grown
          The increasing profile of the film                          to a weekend festival,
     festival continues to grow Longford’s                            screening the best of both
     profile as a destination and a location for                      Irish and international
     film production. Sill Voices is now part of
     Film Network Ireland (Ireland’s largest
                                                                      short films and generating
     independent Film Networking platform)                            employment for creatives
     which sees Ballymahon contributing to                            in Longford and the region.
     the national dialogue on film in Ireland.
34        Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                         35                             Review of Progress

05e       Delivering across
          the local authority

           The majority of both Coordinators (71%) and Directors (91%)

                                                                                       — Archi-fest, Wexford
      agreed or strongly agreed that the Creative Communities initiative
      has seen the programme deliver across the local authority.

          Coordinators rating

                                                                                                                                                  Case Studies
                                                                                                                                             Many local authorities identified that
              71%                                                      3%                                      A number of local
                                                                                                                                             the cross-cutting framework of Creative
          Agree / strongly agree                                   Strongly disagree                           authorities instigated        Communities and the development
                                                                                                               festivals that brought        and delivery of the 5 year Cultural and
              16%                                                      10%                                     together various              Creativity Strategy supported integrated
                                                                                                                                             delivery across the local authority. Laois
          Neither agree / disagree                                 Disagree                                    competencies, disciplines
                                                                                                                                             County Council’s ‘All-Ireland Pollinator
                                                                                                               and sections within           Plan’ worked across two directorates in
                                                                                                               the local authority.          generating community engagement around
                                                                                                                                             biodiversity loss and climate changes,
          Directors rating                                                                                                                   through delivery of a creative project.
                                                                                                                                                  A number of local authorities also
                                                                                                                                             instigated festivals that brought together
              91%                                                      0%                                                                    various competencies, disciplines and
          Agree / strongly agree                                   Strongly disagree                                                         sections within the local authority. For
                                                                                                                                             example, Wexford County Council
                                                                                                                                             established Archi-Fest as an exhibition
              4.5%                                                     4.5%                                                                  and public talks that explored the role
          Neither agree / disagree                                 Disagree
                                                                                                                                             that architecture and design plays in
                                                                                                                                             everyday lives and delivered across
                                                                                                                                             libraries, arts and archives, housing and
                                                                                                                                             community sections of the local authority.
36       Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                37   Review of Progress

         CASE STUDY — DELIVERING ACROSS THE LOCAL AUTHORITY

         Sligo County Council
         Reimagining Sligo

           What benefits or outcomes did the                           How did the project deliver these
     project deliver across the local authority?                  benefits / outcomes? — A project team
     In the process of planning for this major                    was established to ensure that the project
     international conference to explore                          reaches across multiple service areas
     imaginative interventions in the built                       within the local authority. Twenty-five
     heritage, contemporary environment                           people were consulted from within the
     and public spaces of our towns and                           local authority, in addition to relevant
     cities, Sligo County Council is working                      external stakeholders.
     across architecture, arts, heritage, spatial                      An initial ‘day of enquiry’ workshop
     planning, environment and economic                           resulted in a draft report that informed
     development sections. The conference                         the basis of the approach and themes
     will support the local authority and local                   important to the local authority in the
     citizens to re-imagine Sligo and its future                  delivery of the initiative.
     development alongside international
     and national thinkers and practitioners
     in culture and regeneration.
           Planning for the conference (scheduled
     to take place in 2021) has provided Sligo’s                      The conference will support
     Culture and Creativity Team with the
     opportunity to go beyond the normal, i.e.
                                                                      the local authority and
     the organisation of projects and events, and                     local citizens to re-imagine
     adopt a more strategic approach that builds                      Sligo and its future
     capacity to sustain creative placemaking.                        development alongside
           In so doing, this approach is assessing
     the cultural and creative resources
                                                                      international and national
     available to the local authority, in order                       thinkers and practitioners
     to optimise their impact and effectiveness                       in culture and regeneration.
     in local development.
38        Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                         39                                                                 Review of Progress

                                                                                       — Cruinniú na nÓg, Joe Caslin, Rua Red / Photo by Mark Stedman
05f       Supporting innovation
          within the local authority

          The majority of both Coordinators (74%) and Directors (78%) either
      agree or strongly agree that delivery of the Creative Ireland Programme
      within their local authority has seen the programme support innovation
      within the local authority.

          Coordinators rating
                                                                                                                                                             Case Studies
                                                                                                                                                        In Fingal, the ‘STEM Saturday’ initiative        to be foregrounded. It generated a sense of
              74%                                                      0%                                                                               brought together the IT department,              positivity and pride in relation to physical
          Agree / strongly agree                                   Strongly disagree
                                                                                                                                                        Building Facilities, Events Section, Libraries   planning, in particular. South Dublin County
                                                                                                                                                        Section and the Culture and Creativity           Council brought together the arts and
              26%                                                      0%                                                                               Team in developing taster sessions for           library services with the Civic Theatre and
          Neither agree / disagree                                 Disagree                                                                             young people to become involved in STEM          Rua Red Gallery and others in developing
                                                                                                                                                        activities; accessing the talent within the      and delivering a project to meet the needs
                                                                                                                                                        local authority to support a wider need.         of the early-years age range in the area. In
                                                                                                                                                             ‘Kerry County Council’s Architecture’       Monaghan, the local authority leveraged
                                                                                                                                                        Kerry benefitted from a new approach to          a national/international project (‘Ireland
          Directors rating                                                                                                                              collaboration within the local authority         at Venice’) to build wider dialogue and
                                                                                                                                                        which enabled the open and forward-facing        ambition for the future of small towns
                                                                                                                                                        vision and ambition of the council               in Ireland, as set out hereunder.
              78%                                                      0%
          Agree / strongly agree                                   Strongly disagree

              22%                                                      0%
          Neither agree / disagree                                 Disagree
40       Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                  41   Review of Progress

         CASE STUDY — INNOVATING WITHIN THE LOCAL AUTHORITY

         Monaghan County Council
         Free Market

          What innovative benefits, outcomes                      An integrated approach by the local
     or new achievements did the project                          authority, that now includes the Culture
     deliver within the local authority?                          and Creativity Team in all future
     This project supports two priorities of                      consultations around future planning,
     Monaghan’s Cultural and Creativity                           has created a nurturing and learning
     Strategy; namely ‘Our People and Place’                      environment, allowing for a framework of
     and ‘Creative Space and Place’.                              knowledge management, incorporating new
          These priorities allowed for                            information and experiences to deliver on
     research in identifying supports and                         the priorities of Monaghan County Council.
     investment required for the cultural and
     creative sector. The knowledge gained                             How did the project achieve these
     from this research was presented to                          benefits / outcomes? — After initial
     management team by the Culture and                           resistance to the project, the research,
     Creativity Team. Management recognised                       exhibitions and activities demonstrated
     that in the process of interrogating a                       by the project brought together local
     complex problem, creativity was an                           authority management, planners, engineers
     engaging way to find solutions.                              and members of the Culture and Creativity
          This project opened up dialogue and                     Team for a common goal of ensuring
     discussion across the local authority on the                 that when investigating or planning
     importance and possible future of small                      developments, creative solutions and
     market towns in Ireland. It recognised                       creative ideas were part of the process.
     the diverse make up and approach of the                           The benefits were enabled by the
     Culture and Creativity Team. Innovation                      establishment of an integrated Cultural
     requires open channels of communication                      and Creativity Team at senior level,
     and the Culture and Creativity Team                          within the local authority, in terms of both
     led and managed this openness with                           capital and programme developments.
     external and internal voices, allowing
     for all views to be considered and fed
     into future planning processes around

                                                                                                                                           — Photo by Paul Tierney
     the development of creative spaces.
42        Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                             43                                                                Review of Progress

                                                                                       — The Follies Trust visit to Ballycumber, Creative Ireland, Offaly
05g       Developing new partnerships
          and resources for the local
          authority
          The vast majority of both Coordinators (87%) and Directors (91%)
      either agree or strongly agree that delivery of the Creative Ireland
      Programme has seen the programme support the development of new
      partnerships and resources both in the local authority and with third parties.

          Coordinators rating
                                                                                                                                                                 The Creative Communities initiative       and Donegal County Council developed
                                                                                                                                                            enabled a number of new partnerships.          partnerships with neighbouring local
              87%                                                      0%                                                                                   Mayo County Council partnered with the         authorities (and with a different jurisdiction
          Agree / strongly agree                                   Strongly disagree
                                                                                                                                                            private sector in digitising almost 70-years   in the case of Donegal) in seeking to
                                                                                                                                                            of photographs from the archive of The         grow audiences for cultural projects.
              13%                                                      0%                                                                                   Western People (the largest newspaper          Such integrated audience research and
          Neither agree / disagree                                 Disagree                                                                                 in Connacht). The ‘Follies of Offaly’          development projects could prove to be
                                                                                                                                                            project created partnerships with private      of immense value in seeking to support
                                                                                                                                                            landowners and local heritage groups in        development of event-based and evening
                                                                                                                                                            preserving important elements of Offaly’s      economies in a post-COVID context.
                                                                                                                                                            built heritage. Galway County Council
          Directors rating

              91%                                                      0%
          Agree / strongly agree                                   Strongly disagree

              9%                                                       0%
          Neither agree / disagree                                 Disagree
44       Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                     45   Review of Progress

         CASE STUDY — GENERATING NEW PARTNERSHIPS
         AND/OR NEW RESOURCES FOR THE LOCAL AUTHORITY

         Meath County Council
         Kells Creative Placemaking

           What new partnerships, resources                            How did the project deliver these
     and/or other benefits did the project                        benefits / outcomes? — It falls under
     deliver for the local authority?                             Meath Culture & Creative Strategy
     Kells Creative Placemaking – The Bigger                      2018 –2022 – Strategic theme – Enhancing
     Picture Project aims to reconcile the                        our local cultural and creative infrastructure.
     sustainable management and conservation                           The Creative Communities approach
     of Kells’ built heritage with the cultural,                  and funding both strengthened and
     economic and social requirements of                          enhanced elements of the festival in Kells,
     its contemporary environment. The                            and assisted with the ongoing Printworks
     strategy seeks to develop an integrated                      Restoration Project, helping to unlock
     network of arts initiatives, cultural                        additional funding.
     facilities and bespoke dedicated spaces
     for artists and the creative industries.
           ‘Kells Creative Placemaking’ is
     a project of Meath County Council’s
     Cultural and Creativity Strategy which                           This partnership approach
     established new partnerships involving                           has already unlocked
     the Arts Council, the Heritage Council,
     the National Print Museum, the local
                                                                      funding of €1m to conserve
     authority and the local community.                               and regenerate a former
           This partnership approach has already                      Courthouse and former
     unlocked funding of €1m to conserve                              Sawmills to meet local needs
     and regenerate a former Courthouse
     and former Sawmills to meet these local
                                                                      and ambition, through the
     needs and ambition, through the Rural                            Rural Regeneration and
     Regeneration and Development Fund.                               Development Fund.
46       Creative Ireland — Creative Communities Interim Review                                                     47       Key observations

06       Key observations

     6a Strengths                                                 in between other local authority service               helping to reduce social isolation by            building on work that has been ongoing
     The workshop and the surveys of local                        programmes whilst validating and adding                targeting hard-to-reach groups.                  for many years, the new approaches have
     authority Coordinators and Directors                         value to local authority services in the                    The capacity of Creative Communities        undoubtedly brought added value. The
     revealed a number of key strengths. Many                     community (e.g., libraries).                           to bring communities together and instil         Culture and Creativity Teams are the
     elements of the Creative Communities                               The funding structure (100% grant)               pride of place is difficult to quantify;         key strength of the Creative Communities
     initiative underpin local authority service                  and scale of Creative Communities have                 however, this was evident during the             initiative. The cross-cutting composition
     programmes in terms of tourism, social                       proven an important enabler particularly in            COVID-19 response when Creative                  of the Culture and Creativity Teams
     inclusion, economic development, and                         providing support to creative enterprises/             Communities mobilised creative                   facilitates a collaborative approach
     community development. Creativity has                        operators in local communities that may                initiatives to form a very important             across local authority departments in
     enhanced the reach of a local authority,                     be beyond the reach of many national                   part of local authority and national             terms of project design, evaluation and
     increasing its impact and visibility, and                    initiatives. The funding is considered                 community response in supporting                 outcome. More joined-up, group working
     strengthening working relationships                          an important additional resource                       community health and wellbeing.                  represents a significant change in working
     with the community. Creative Communities                     enabling local authorities to leverage                      In terms of embedding creativity in         practice for the cultural sections, and
     is serving to highlight a local authorities’                 creativity in supporting collaborative                 public policy at local level, Culture and        more strategic relationships now exist
     creative assets, establishing creativity at                  community engagement, and providing                    Creativity Strategies are increasingly           with other local authority sections. This is
     the heart of a local authority’s development                 local authorities the opportunity to support           referenced in many Corporate Plans, County       helping embed the Creative Communities
     and using creativity to examine new ways                     new or larger scale creative community                 Development Plans and Local Economic             initiative into the local authority
     of creating a better future. This positive,                  initiatives that would not ordinarily have             and Community Plans. As the local pillar         structure, enhancing project outcomes.
     creative representation is enabling a citizen                access to these resources. Accordingly,                of an all-of-Government programme,                     A direct relationship between the
     pride of place and sense of belonging that in                Creative Communities provides the freedom              creativity is increasingly being seen as more    Culture and Creativity Teams in local
     turn is creating a positive image and profile                for local authorities to take risks, to explore        than just a cultural issue; it is at the heart   authorities and the Creative Ireland
     for the local authority area making it a more                and ultimately to extend the reach that                of strategic development and change. The         Programme in the Department of Culture,
     attractive place to live and work.                           would not otherwise be possible.                       introduction of service level agreements,        Heritage and the Gaeltacht including
           The interdisciplinary focus of Creative                      This in turn has become vital in                 resourcing delivery of the Culture and           regular quarterly meetings is a significant
     Communities, whereby the cross-cutting                       supporting projects throughout the                     Creativity Strategies, has brought about         positive development for relationships.
     nature of Culture and Creativity Team                        community bringing together creative                   a more strategic perspective to how              The provision and maintenance of a
     across several service sections of the                       practitioners and citizens to give equal               culture and creativity can be utilised as        bespoke, online portal by the Creative
     local authority, provides communities                        opportunity to all citizens to become                  an enabling tool for economic development,       Ireland Programme to support promotional
     and citizens the opportunities to engage                     involved in exploring creativity in a                  service delivery and social cohesion.            and financial elements of individual local
     and collaborate more broadly; to work                        very broad range of areas which would                       As the Creative Ireland Programme           authority initiatives is a key resource.
     on creative projects from grassroots level                   not be supported by other funding                      is an all-of-Government initiative, this               Strong public relations, communication
     by facilitating access to all types of creative              streams. Creative Communities has                      opens doors to conversations within the          and support from the Creative Ireland
     activity. This flexibility means that Creative               facilitated local authorities to support more          local authority that might not otherwise         Programme at national level is crucial
     Communities initiatives can reach the spaces                 communities from diverse backgrounds                   get started. While a lot of the success is       because there is significant value in the
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