Lú Louth - Creative Ireland
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Lú
Louth
Straitéis Chultúir agus Culture and Creativity
Chruthaitheachta 2018–2022 Strategy 2018–2022
creative.ireland.ie
Ábhar
Contents
1 Cathaoirleach’s Foreword
2 Chief Executive’s Foreword
3 Culture and Creativity in County Louth
4 The Creative Ireland Vision for Louth
5 Creative Ireland Culture Team County Louth
6 The Creative Ireland Values in Louth
7 Strategic Priorities for Louth
8 Implementation
9 Key indicators for success
10 Conclusion
an chéad eagrán, profa amháin | first edition, proof version only
gh
lu
ch
sai a
m n-i ol d a n
1 Cathaoirleach’s
Foreword 2 Chief Executive’s
Foreword
A C
s Cathaoirleach of County Council’s mandate of Enabling Creativity in reative ireland programme Empowerment and Global Reputation. This
Louth I welcome the development of Every Community, by delivering a planning Louth is home to a rich cultural programme provides an opportunity for Louth
Louth’s Culture and Creativity Strategy framework to enable the development of cultural and creative sector which includes County Council to look closely at how it will plan
2018 – 2022. This strategy forms part of the Irish communities across our County. significant cultural infrastructure, built heritage, for continued engagement, participation and
Government’s Creative Ireland programme, Our strategy will be delivered by the County internationally-acclaimed galleries and creative access to culture and creativity. Local authorities
which seeks to encourage everyone in our society Louth Creative Ireland Culture Team, led by Mr spaces, traditional and indigenous craft sector have a crucial role in the overall delivery of the
to realise their full creative potential and aims to Frank Pentony, Director of Service, It is framed and a range of cultural festivals, events and Creative Ireland programme locally and are
put culture at the heart of all government policies. in alignment with the existing strategies for arts, programmes held in multiple locations across mandated to deliver Pillar 2 of the programme –
This strategy is Louth’s statement of heritage, libraries, etc. in the County, towards the County. Our cultural heritage incorporates Enabling Creativity in Every Community.
strategic intent in delivering the Creative the enhancement of cultural development the Irish language and music and a craft and The Louth Creative Ireland Culture Team
Ireland vision in our County. It outlines our locally, ensuring that artists and communities making culture in particular. has carried out a process of engagement,
strategic priorities and core objectives for the across the County have the opportunity to For many years Louth has been a leader in exploration, consultation and analysis with
development of culture and creativity in County realise their creative and cultural potential. the area of cultural and creative development. key stakeholders and the wider community
Louth which will be delivered within the five- I look forward to seeing the outputs of this It was one of the first counties in Ireland to to arrive at the strategic priorities for cultural
year period commencing 2018. strategy reap dividends for all the citizens of appoint an Arts Officer to its Local Authority. development as outlined in this document.
Our Cultural and Creative Strategy seeks County Louth in the coming months and years It developed a significant and recognisable This process included public consultation
to embed culture and creativity as an integral cultural brand – Create Louth, and assisted the meetings held during May 2017, an online
part of the daily lives of the people of Louth Cllr. Liam Reilly development and delivery of the Creative Spark survey and stakeholder interviews held during
and specifically in fulfilling Louth County Cathaoirleach Louth County Council initiative at a time when the value of the creative the first quarter of 2018 and continued work
industries was not wholly appreciated in Ireland. by the County Louth Culture Team in aligning
Louth County Council recognises the value the findings into this document. The Culture
of culture and creativity as important element Team will implement a series of annual delivery
of sustainable local communities, with the plans over for five years up to 2022 to fulfil the
well-being of its citizens of primary concern. objectives of this strategy.
This has been evidenced by the enhancement of Louth’s Cultural and Creativity Strategy
cultural spaces including; An Táin Arts Centre, will enrich the cultural planning process and
Droichead Arts Centre, Highlanes Gallery and programme development framework for
the Louth County Museum amongst others; the County in line with the Creative Ireland
and through significant investment in cultural programme vision and I look forward to
heritage infrastructure underpinned by the experiencing and enjoying enhanced creative
existing arts, heritage and libraries strategies output and cultural expression of our citizens in
for County Louth. the years to come.
The Creative Ireland Programme is
built around themes of identity, culture and
citizenship with core operating principles of Ms Joan Martin
Collaboration, Communication, Community, Chief Executive County Louth Council
4 5
c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
3 Culture and Creativity
in County Louth
I
reland has long been recognised as We are a unique place of rivers, drumlins,
a nation to which creativity and cultural mountains and coastline encircling both a rich
achievement come easily and naturally. agricultural land, architectural and monastic
Words are our currency, story-telling is in our heritage and two of Ireland’s largest towns. Louth
blood, making in our hands and music and connects Ulster and Leinster in the region of
dance central to our well-being and identity. Oriel, formerly the most important centre for the
The word ‘Ildánach’ forms part of County creation of poetry and literature on the island of
Louth’s motto – with the meaning of ‘being Ireland. The history of the region is etched on
versed in all the arts, multi-talented, versatile its landscape, With many heritage properties
and accomplished’ and so the Creative Ireland peppering our fields and townlands and much
programme and what it represents is central to of Ireland’s national epic ‘An Táin Bó Cuailgne’
our work in continuing to develop Louth as a easily read across our region. Our native language
place of cultural and creative significance. also retained an unbroken line here until 1969,
with the area around Omeath being the last Irish-
aftermath Project speaking area in Leinster.
After peace agreements have been signed and the Heritage gives us a sense of who we are,
military / paramilitary apparatus of hostilities removed where we come from, where we belong. Heritage
often little visible remains in societies as evidence of the enhances pride of place and makes our location a
conflict that recently took place. But for many who lived place in which to invest, live and visit. The County
through that experience, or had to flee from it, the scars has an internationally important, and protected,
they carry are all too real and ever-present. Regardless coastline with associated wildlife, landscapes,
of what side they took in the conflict, or none, they now geology and archaeology. A rich and productive
must make sense out of what happened and where they farmland has made Louth a centre of brewing,
go from here. distilling and baking for centuries. Towns
The aftermath Project is a project which sprang up at Louth’s natural harbours and these
aimed to heal through remembering. It used discussion developed into important ports for export and
and creative, artistic approaches to story-telling and import. Railway lines developed to link counties
life stories to highlight the issues and needs of the Armagh, Cavan, Meath and Monaghan to Louth’s
participants drawn from target groups. An inclusive ports. Dundalk’s Great Northern Works were
process of working with participants to highlight their long a national centre of railway engineering with
issues and needs and to offer support and advice where Ireland’s most impressive railway engineering
possible made this project a resounding success sin the feat being the magnificent Boyne Viaduct in
lives of those living close to the border region on both Drogheda. The cultural significance of Louth’s
sides of the divide. built and natural heritage is important from a
tourism and economic point of view; however its
The makeup of our local authority Culture Team real value lies in the way in which this heritage is
represents the depth of cultural and creative utilised, understood, appreciated and engaged
practice and provision across the County and a with by those who live in the County. This heritage
shared understanding across functional areas of connects people and place, as an integral part of
the value and potential of enhancing this lattice our cultural identity creating a pathway from the
of creative pathways. past, through the present to the future.
6 7
c l á r é i r e i l dá nac h | lú c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
CreateLouth, the Arts Service of Louth County Our County’s two main towns, Drogheda and From its early days, the group has been an active The County’s Library Service develops
Council, supports local arts development with Dundalk are home to a wide range of high member of the National Association for Youth and delivers programmes which assist the
a dedicated Arts Officer serving the County. quality cultural infrastructure including; the Drama (nayd) / now Youth Theatre Ireland development of creative communities in line
CreateLouth connects and supports artistic Droichead and An Táin Arts Centres, Highlanes and has contributed to national policy studies with the objectives of the national Public
planning, practice, performance and potential Gallery, Millmount Museum and Creative as well as hosting regional and cross-border Libraries Strategy1. These programmes
and it provides a range of funding opportunities Quarter, County Museum Dundalk, Creative youth theatre network events and residential underpin the continued development of the
to enhance capacity in the arts and cultural Spark, Oriel Centre, Carlingford Heritage programmes. public library system over the next five years
sector and in the promotion of public art Centre, Louth County Archives Service, Bridge Louth hosts no fewer than thirteen arts and position the public library at the centre
commissions. CreateLouth is a founder-partner, Street Artists’ Studios, Dundalk Institute of festivals and series of significance annually of the community to meet the information,
along with Louth and Meath Education and Technology and the Library Service, all of which including multi-disciplinary arts festivals, single learning and cultural needs of individuals
Training Board, of Music Generation Louth, celebrate and promote the rich cultural identity genre music festivals, youth festivals and the and communities alike. The County library
and core-funds a wide range of innovative arts of the region through festivals, events and national Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which will service in Louth delivers a series of events
organisations within the county, such as Louth programmes – engaging artists and communities be hosted in the County in 2018 and 2019. Such and programmes which support these needs
Contemporary Music Society and Drogheda across the County. The County’s three Brass festivals include the Drogheda Arts Festival, An on a regular basis across the County’s library
Classical Music. Supporting artists is a core bands, one Concert Band, three youth theatres, Chúirt Chruitireachta – the Drogheda Classical network.
element of the work of CreateLouth. three branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Music Series, International Festival of Irish Louth County Archives collects, preserves
as well as Scoraíocht Lann Léire, numerous Harp and the Louth County Fleadh, alongside and makes available the public and private
Frances Lambe – Ceramicist amateur drama groups, musical societies, smaller scale events and celebrations in towns archives that document the life, history and
Artist Frances Lambe was born in 1961. A native of pantomime societies, and art groups, all and villages across the County. These cultural development of the County It contains a wealth
Dundalk she studied Education at the National College contribute to ensuring that the arts in Louth are gatherings connect people drawing on their of information about Louth’s places, people,
of Art and Design, Dublin. She taught art at second level more of a publically-owned utility than a private collective imagination and creativity. buildings and events and is an important
for several years. In 1996 she became a founder member enterprise. cultural asset contributing to the County’s
of Bridge Street Studios in Dundalk and began making Significant in this regard is the Droichead Drogheda Arts Festival creativity, economy, heritage and tourism
sculptural ceramics. She currently works in a studio at Youth Theatre which was established in 1991 and For well over a decade, Drogheda Arts Festival has and. We possess a ‘high-quality’ collection of
her home in County Louth, Ireland. has played a significant role in the cultural life of presented an eclectic mix of creativity for all ages across core public archives with the urban archives
Her work has been exhibited at national and Drogheda and the wider North East region over all art forms. During the Festival Drogheda’s historic of Drogheda being ‘one of the largest and best
international exhibitions. Recent exhibitions include the course of its 27 years. Founded by Declan urban landscape comes alive with the best of music, collections seen’ and those of Ardee being
In Residence II, London, Artgeneve, Switzerland, Mallon and Aileen Hanratty, and supported and spoken word, visual arts, theatre, performance and play. ‘one of the oldest in the country’2. Louth is
Artmontecarlo, Monaco, Shadow of Sodeisha, hosted from its inception by Droichead Arts Programmed and produced by volunteers, made up of home to a developing creative community and
National Museum Collins Barracks Dublin, Touchstone, Centre, the youth theatre has been committed venues, arts organisations and practitioners the festival an emerging ecosystem supporting creative
Farmleigh Gallery Dublin & National Design & Craft at all times to providing an open, all-comers collaborates, commissions and celebrates the arts entrepreneurs and practitioners. Particularly
Gallery, Kilkenny. platform for creativity, learning and social community County Louth and beyond into the wider evident is the growth and development in recent
Frances creates sculptural work that is rooted in development for young people between the ages north east region. years of an innovative creative media, music
the natural world and of the place where she lives on the of 12 and 18. It not only stimulates an early love Artists are central to the festival’s development and film culture, nurtured and supported by
east coast of County Louth. Her work explores landscape and appreciation of the arts but also encourages and in 2018 a new Drogheda Arts Festival commission local authority, educational and private industry
forms as well as growth patterns found in plants and mutual respect, intellectual questioning and for artists working and living in the region was partners.
animals. Her interest in the sea underscores her work. active citizenship. It is a foundation training introduced,with Louth-based Quintessence Theatre,
The coast where sea and land meet is a place of constant pitch for potential future artists, a living, proven scooping the inaugural award.
change and a feature of her local landscape. platform for innovative arts and creativity as a Drogheda Arts Festival is an opportunity to explore 1 The Government’s new Public Library Strategy 2018 – 2022
staple in the lives of young people in Drogheda the joy of the extraordinary in the ordinary; from street is intended to be published Spring 2018
and across County Louth. corners to street lights, from laneways to hilltops, across the 2 Report of the Steering Group on Local Authority Records and
rich cultural heritage of Drogheda town and its environs. Archives, Department of the Environment, 1996, appendix
8 9
c l á r é i r e i l dá nac h | lú c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
Dundalk Institute of Technology (dkit) is our Hear Our Voices: Change the Record, Change the World
third level partner with a complement of 5,300 Adults with intellectual disability often find themselves
students and 500 staff drawn from the County, excluded from higher education opportunities, spaces
its hinterland and beyond. Its role includes and settings. They are disempowered and prevented from
maximizing the impact that the Institute can experiencing the transformative powers of continuing
have on the economic, social and cultural education that can help them transform the society in
life of the people living in its catchment. which they live.
Its dedicated Department of Creative Arts The Hear our Voices project facilitated collaboration
and Media and Music fosters and develops between dkit music students and a local resource
creative practitioners and entrepreneurs. centre for adults with intellectual disabilities. The
The Department hosts an extensive annual project was developed from specific ideas articulated
programme of public events which incorporate by the participants. The participants worked with
links to the Oriel region in which it is located. artist-facilitators to realise their dreams of writing and
Its Creative Arts Research Centre supports a performing songs that told stories of their experiences.
number of research initiatives and has delivered The project culminated in a concert of songs written by
a wide range of internationally-recognised the participants and performed by dkit music students.
creative outputs to date. The project has raised awareness of the need for
Louth’s past influences all its artforms inclusivity in education and the requirement to find
and our traditional culture is deep-rooted in spaces, in which people can connect, communicate
the County ranging from indigenous crafts, and cooperate to begin to address societal challenges.
language, oral traditions and the celebration The concert shone a light on local issues, generating
of the Irish Harp, our national instrument. awareness amongst the wider community of the power of
In the south of the County an important culture in engaging communities and making a difference
song tradition, which has been handed down in our society.
through local families, has been collected
and celebrated by musicians and academics.
Drogheda is home to this tradition, with many
young people now singing the songs of the
Usher and Carolan families.
Culture and creativity form pathways to
participation in civic dialogue, to developing
artists and creative practitioners and to
building strong and engaged communities in
the County. These pathways offer opportunities
to embrace the cultural identities of our new
communities as an integrated part of our
contemporary cultural development and as
bedrock for the development and sustainability
of a healthy society.
10 11
c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
4 The Creative Ireland
Vision for Louth
T
he creative ireland Programme Since Creative Ireland’s inception in 2017
is the Government’s Legacy Programme Louth’s Culture Team has developed new
for Ireland 2016 – a five-year initiative working practices which deliver an integrated
which places creativity at the centre of public approach to cultural development in the
policy. It is a culture-based programme designed County. Working in concert they have developed
to promote individual, community and national collaborative programmes between functional
wellbeing. Its vision is: areas in Louth County Council and county-
based cultural organisations and education
“That every person living in Ireland will have
partners, which maximise opportunities
the opportunity to fully realise his or her
for shared resourcing, marketing and
creative potential’ ”
communications across culture and the creative
The programme is the main implementation industries. The team played a key role in the
vehicle for the priorities identified in the development of this strategy, informing the
Government’s policy document, Culture public consultation process, working with local
2025 – Éire Ildánach which states that arts communities and artistic / creative voices to
and culture are intrinsic to the Irish State, hear their views on how the local authority can
acknowledges the need to increase access to, enable creativity locally and coming together
and participation in the arts, boost our creative to identify the strategic priorities outlined in
industries, and preserve our heritage with a this document and the mechanisms for their
particular focus on language, landscape and successful delivery over time.
the environment. This plan is the culmination of their
The Creative Ireland Programme is work and has at its heart a response to what
built around themes of identity, culture and the people of Louth want for their cultural
citizenship with core operating principles of development. They will continue to deepen
Collaboration, Communication, Community, this working relationship over the duration
Empowerment and Global Reputation. This of the programme, ensuring a coherent
Strategy sets out the plan for Louth in this approach to cultural support, development and
national initiative. It outlines our priorities for programming, which reflects the objectives of
cultural and creative development, resonates relevant existing plans and strategies for the
with the core values of the Creative Ireland County, the needs of the people of County Louth
Programme nationally with a focus on delivering and the Creative Ireland vision.
Louth’s vision as:
“A place where culture is embedded in how
we live, work, play and think; where culture
is planned and provided for; where creative
careers are nurtured and flourish; where the
value of culture is understood and appreciated
and where each citizen has the opportunity to
fulfil their creative and cultural potential.”
12 13
c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
5 Creative Ireland Culture
Team County Louth
T
he culture team in County Adèle Commins Angela Dullaghan of the Governing Body of Dundalk Institute of
Louth team represents the wide and Head of Department of Creative Arts, Media Architectural Conservation Officer, Technology, Chair of their Finance, Audit and
varying fields of arts, culture, libraries, and Music, Dundalk Institute of Technology Louth County Council Risk Committee, and a Board member of Music
education, museum, archives, and heritage and The Department of Creative Arts, Media and Angela in her role as Architectural Conservation Generation Louth.
conservation services in the county. From the Music in dkit is home to an exciting and Officer protects the architectural heritage of
outset County Louth considered carefully the innovative range of programmes and events. Louth through the identification of Protected Paul Hayes
composition of their Culture Team and made It is the creative hub of the Institute and has Structures, the designation of Architectural Director, An Táin Arts Centre
the decision to work beyond the confines of an important role to play in fulfilling dkit’s Conservation Areas (acas), the safeguarding Paul has been the Director at An Táin Arts
those individuals within the Local Authority who strategic objectives in the areas of outreach, of designed landscapes and historic gardens, Centre, an independent arts space in Dundalk,
have culture as an integral part of their brief, engagement and research, while simultaneously and the recognition of structures and elements since its foundation in 2014. Supported by Louth
and sought to develop a more holistic approach celebrating the rich cultural heritage and that contribute positively to the vernacular and County Council, An Táin Arts Centre houses a
to cultural development by incorporating talent of the region in which it is located. industrial heritage of the County. 350 seat main theatre, a 55 seat studio theatre,
expertise from within and outside the County Adèle is a graduate of nui Maynooth with a a visual arts gallery and two workshop spaces.
Council structure from cultural and creative phd in musicology; her role is in nurturing the Colette Farrell The programme is a diverse collection of local
players across the county. The management development of the Department over time. Director, Droichead Arts Centre arts, national tours, workshops, exhibitions and
of the Culture Team however remains within Droichead Arts Centre presents, nurtures and in-house productions.
the County Council and is led at Director of Sarah Daly promotes the arts within Drogheda and its
Service level by Mr Frank Pentony. The Creative Executive Director, Creative Spark surrounding area. The Centre provides a curated Lorraine McCann
Ireland Culture team County Louth is tasked Creative Spark is a centre for creativity and professional arts programme in a broad range County Archivist
with outlining a unified approach to cultural innovation, based in Dundalk. Established of contexts including children and young people As County Archivist Lorraine manages,
development through the implementation of almost six years ago the hub is the first of its and is made up of two buildings, one of which preserves and makes accessible to the public,
this strategy over the next five years. The County kind in the north east region. Sarah oversees houses an intimate 169 seater theatre, and a archives of public and private origin relating
Louth Culture Team comprises: the management and development of the space large white box gallery space. Collette’s previous to the history of County Louth in addition to
which to date has supported the creation of work includes; the Education Department in the providing records management services to
Frank Pentony (chair) 87 new jobs, with 58 people employed in 32 Abbey Theatre; teacher in the Gaiety School of Louth County Council. Lorraine emphasises
Director of Services businesses. Sarah has a background in Fine and Acting, and General Manager and Programme the importance of the County Archives to the
Frank Pentony is Director of Service for Panning, Applied Arts and is experienced in business Manager of the City Arts Centre, Dublin. For 14 community both as a repository for historical
Infrastructure and Economic Development in development for smes, particularly in the years, she was Producer with Calipo Theatre & documents and as a resource for research.
Louth County Council. As part of this portfolio creative sectors. She has a specific interest in Picture Co. Drogheda. She is currently co-chair Lorraine is a member of the Archives and
he is charged with the development of culture community development and engagement of Drogheda Arts Festival. Records Association uk & Ireland and of the
in the County and in this role is Chair of the through creative practice. Local Authority Archivists’ Group.
County Louth Culture team. Frank is committed Brian Harten
to the development of culture as a broad church County Arts Officer, Louth County Council
within the County Council, encouraging a CreateLouth, the Arts Service of Louth County
partnership approach to sustainable culture- Council, works with artists, communities,
led planning – where infrastructure meets organisations and funders to make engagement
community – towards the delivery of the Creative with the arts a realistic, valuable, and rewarding
Ireland programme for County Louth. experience for all citizens in our county. Brian is
also a member of the Board of Directors of Youth
Theatre Ireland, An Táin Arts Centre, Highlanes
Gallery, and Creative Spark. He is a member
14 15c l á r é i r e i l dá nac h | lú c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
Brendan McSherry Aoife Ruane
County Heritage Officer Director, Highlanes Gallery
The Heritage Office of Louth County Council Aoife Ruane is the Director of Highlanes Gallery,
works to raise awareness of, and pride in Louth’s A Municipal Art Gallery for Drogheda and the
heritage. Its aim is to gain the heritage dividend North East. The Gallery is of an international
for Louth by using our heritage to improve our standard in terms of design, management,
quality of life and to contribute to the county’s environmental control and security. Aoife is a
economic development. Brendan works to member of the Governing Body of the Institute
ensure that the heritage of the county is made of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire
accessible to a wide audience across the county (iadt), Chairperson of Drogheda Arts Festival,
through the delivery of events and programmes a member of the Board of Directors of the Irish
both independently and in conjunction with Museums Association, and serves on the Council
other relevant agency partners. of Drogheda & District Chamber of Commerce.
Yvonne O’Brien Brian Walsh
County Librarian Curator, County Museum, Dundalk
A recent addition to Louth County Council’s The County Museum, Dundalk is a multi-
library team, Yvonne is responsible for the award winning designated museum which
leadership, strategic planning, management has realised many national and international
and development of the library services for the achievements in a diversity of fields over the
county, including five branch libraries, a mobile past decade. Located in a beautifully restored
and school library service. Her ambition is to late 18th century warehouse in the Carroll
raise awareness of libraries as valuable and fluid Centre, Jocelyn Street the Museum offers
spaces which assist the development of local an extensive programme of permanent and
communities through services and supports temporary exhibitions, drama presentations,
for literacy and reader development, health and music recitals, lectures and film. It chronicles
wellbeing, business, enterprise and employment the historical development of County Louth
and cultural awareness. from the Stone Age up to the present day,
presenting this story through a combination
interactive exhibits and artefacts. As Curator,
Brian seeks to develop awareness of the Museum
and its relevance to local and national history
to audiences across the county, via a series of
events, tours and talks.
16 17c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
6 The Creative Ireland
Values in Louth
T
he creative ireland programme builds on the existing CreateLouth brand. This Inclusivity Empowerment
for Louth focuses on the theme of model will deliver a cohesive mechanism for Inclusivity forms a core element of local We, Louth’s Culture Team is seeking, through
identity – of people, place and programme development, delivery, engagement programme development in Louth. The Local this strategy, to empower local communities,
potential. Louth’s Cultural and Creative Strategy and participation over the five years of the Community Development Committee and artists and creative practitioners to enhance
reflects the views of the Culture Team, key strategy. Public Participation Network frameworks, their way of life through cultural expression,
stakeholders and the wider public in delivering the Social Inclusion Community Activation to build strong connected and engaged
what is required for a cultural and creative Community Programme (sicap) and Louth Leader Partnership communities. The ‘Cultural Communities’
ecosystem to flourish. It has as a core premise The County Louth Culture Team is committed to work in tandem to ensure that inclusivity is programme enables the agenda for culture
that culture is for all and that successful cultural developing culturally engaged communities and given expression in all relevant supports and to be set locally, reflecting local needs in the
development puts the people at the heart of the cultural practitioners; where development of programmes. The development of collaborative context of the wider development of culture and
process. It has at its core the intrinsic value of their local cultural agenda is supported through working relationship with these agency partners creativity in the County.
culture to progressive societies and the right a local Creative Ireland programme call – related will ensure that inclusion remains central to
of all citizens to participate in cultural activity, to local need. Our strategy is inclusive in that it the Creative Ireland programme agenda in the
recognising that cultural participation has delivers for all communities across the socio- County.
meaning and relevance at all stages of life. economic spectrum within our call, including
To this end it has adopted a ‘cradle-to-grave’ artistic, creative and cultural practitioners,
approach to cultural development in the County. cultural managers, creative entrepreneurs,
The Creative Ireland programme principles migrant and ethnic communities and cultural
of Collaboration, Communication, Community, audiences of all ages.
Participation, Inclusivity and Empowerment We have focussed our strategic agenda
form the foundation for this strategy document on enabling communities to come together to
with the following paragraphs outlining how amplify their cultural capacity, by developing a
these principles are reflected in our strategy: Creative Communities funding call for locally
developed and produced cultural programmes
Collaboration which develop an awareness of the value of
We will develop a framework for shared cultural participation as an integral part of the
learning, increased partnership and lives of the people of Louth.
collaboration between agency partners and
cultural organisations, with a focus to develop Participation
a sustainable cultural and creative ecosystem A key output of the success of our Creative
across the County and includes the voices of our Ireland programme locally will be evidence
creative practitioners, artists and citizens alike. of increased cultural participation at both
community and County level. All supported
Communication programmes will have a cultural participation
We are committed to developing awareness of element and ‘Highlight’ programmes will
and communicating the value of the Creative incorporate participative elements in their
Ireland programme across the County, delivery which seek to engage specific
through the development and delivery of communities e.g. children, young people,
a comprehensive communications model artists, new communities, creative industries
for Creative Ireland which incorporates and entrepreneurs etc.
18 19c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
7 Strategic Priorities
for Louth
L
outh’s strategic priorities have Priority 1: Building an Ecosystem for 6. Design opportunities to increase public Priority 2: Provision of a Creative Ireland
been developed from the outputs of the Sustainable Creative and Cultural Planning visibility and understanding of the Cultural Communities Fund
consultation and engagement process and Development in County Louth individual functional areas charged with Overview
combined with strategic prioritisation sessions Overview cultural development within the Local This priority focuses on enhancing cultural
held with the County Louth Creative Ireland This objective seeks to develop an ownership of Authority and beyond. provision in local communities relevant to
Culture Team. The four priority areas which culture in County Louth, an agreed framework local need. This programme fund will enable
7. Employ a part-time administration
underpin our Creative and Cultural Strategy are for resourcing, delivery and evaluation of the communities to develop their own cultural
resource to deliver on the Creative
outlined below alongside the relevant pillars Creative Ireland programme over the five years capital, to plan, programme, produce and
Ireland programme delivery elements.
of the programme which each priority area of the strategy and for continued connectivity manage cultural and creative activity in their
addresses. and shared opportunities for cultural and 8. Develop a cohesive partnership between own communities across the County.
creative development. Louth County Council and dkit It is intended to develop local interest in
Priority 1: Building an ecosystem for to leverage the institution’s role in cultural engagement and participation and
sustainable creative and cultural planning Actions contributing to the social and cultural reflect different identities, heritage and culture
and development in County Louth life of the region.
1. Embed culture as a named portfolio across the County. It seeks to make culture and
• Enabling Creativity in Every Community within the Director of Services role in 9. Promote opportunities for enhanced creativity an integral part of everyday life, to
• Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child Louth County Council to ensure culture outreach engagement and cultural build new local audiences for culture which in
is at the heart of planning in Louth. participation for young audiences and turn will connect to the wider cultural ecosystem
• Investing in our Creative and Cultural
connected to key programme initiatives. in County Louth.
Infrastructure 2. Develop a memorandum of
understanding for members of the 10. Promote opportunities for schools Actions
Priority 2: Provision of a Creative Ireland Culture Team to ensure clarity of for increased engagement with local 1. Develop and manage an annual Creative
Cultural Communities Fund programme delivery arrangements, cultural heritage and access to the built Ireland Cultural Communities Fund to
quarterly meetings and rollover of heritage of the County.
• Enabling Creativity in Every Community support the development of cultural events
project coordination.
• Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child 11. Encourage and inform of opportunities and activities in local communities across
3. Design an annual, facilitated, for progression to third-level studies the county.
Priority 3: Delivery of a Creative Ireland professional development exploration in areas related to the Creative Ireland
Excellence Programme 2. Develop an Open Call to communities
and planning session for the County programme. across County Louth to access funding call
Louth Culture Team to ensure continued
• Investing in our Creative and Cultural 12. Advocate for continued investment
focus on realising the County’s vision for 2.1 Deliver local workshops to assist
Infrastructure in Louth’s creative industries
the Creative Ireland programme. uptake and understanding of the
• Ireland as a Centre of Excellence in Media sector, including the development application process.
Production 4. Maximise opportunities for collaborative potential to support innovation and
working across functional departments entrepreneurship in creative careers, 3. Develop a Cultural Communities
• Unifying our Global Reputation
of Louth County Council and with combined with the support of artists. Toolkit to assist local, sustainable
Priority 4: Planning for and Communicating Culture Team agency and institutional cultural and creative development
partners to enhance the delivery of the 13. Advocate for incentivisation of private and assist understanding for ways in
our Creative and Cultural Capital
Creative Ireland programme. rental market for the delivery of which communities can work with local
• Investing in our Creative and Cultural affordable and sustainable live / work artists and creative practitioners in the
Infrastructure 5. Identify opportunities for shared use of artist’s studios in urban settings. development and delivery of their chosen
spaces locally for cultural engagement
projects
and activities.
20 21c l á r é i r e i l dá nac h | lú c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
4. Work with dkit to identify ways in 3. Further develop opportunities between Priority 4: Communicating Our Creative 3. Further develop internal
which students and staff in relevant agency partners for creative career and Cultural Capital communications between members
creative disciplines might support the development programmes which support Overview of the Culture Team to ensure
development of cultural programming creative media and film production in Develop a communications model which builds timely visibility of opportunities for
and provision in local communities. particular. awareness of the Creative Ireland programme collaboration and project development.
4. Leverage existing national and across the County and amplifies what is 4. Provide a marketing and
Priority 3: Delivery of a Creative Ireland happening locally across all elements of culture,
international networks of artists and communications budget for Creative
Excellence Programme including the ways in which individual artists,
creative and cultural professionals Ireland programme administration
Overview towards the delivery of core programme creative practitioners and communities alike can to ensure visibility and coordinated
The Creative Ireland Culture Team will agree areas which are based on best practice interact with the programme to achieve their marketing and branding of Creative
annually to develop and present a series of international models of cultural planning creative potential Ireland supported events and
high–quality cultural and creative events and and provision. programmes.
Actions
programmes which link thematically to the
Creative Ireland vision for County Louth and 5. Develop a series of cultural conversations 1. Review and build on the brand 3. Provide clear branding guidelines for
the Creative Ireland programme objectives. positioning the relevance of proposition of CreateLouth and its projects funded as part of the Creative
These programmes will build from the outputs understanding and appreciating distinct online platform to incorporate the Ireland initiative.
of the consultation process and be set in cultural identities within the County and Creative Ireland programme for the
context with local cultural plans for the arts, the cultural impact on communities in County.
heritage, libraries, museums, and archives and County Louth.
2. Develop a communications framework
will be developed in collaboration with key 6. Continue to develop children and youth which promotes both Creative Ireland
with cultural, creative industries, education cultural activities to include the voice programmes and all cultural and creative
and enterprise partners. This suite of events of young people in engagement events programmes and services across the
will underpin champion cultural and creative which will give them the opportunity to County; creating a single point of
excellence in the County. develop/have a conversation about the contact for all Louth Creative Ireland
Actions cultural landscape they need to fulfil programmes.
their creative potential.
1. Work with partners in dkit to carry out
baseline research into mapping of extant 7. Develop a heritage programme which
creative and cultural industries, cultural references the rich cultural traditions
and built heritage assets in County of the County including its archival and
Louth. collections tradition, set against the
backdrop of Louth’s built heritage and
2. Build on existing Creative Ireland natural landscape.
Programme delivery elements (events
and programmes held during 2017) 8. Work with dkit and industry players to
which enhance implementation of this leverage opportunities for engagement
strategy. with international partners through
the eu and Border programmes which
promote culture-led development.
22 23c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
8 Implementation
Tosaíochtaí Eilimintí agus Gníomhaíochtaí Cláir Freagracht Bliain an tSoláthair
Priorities Programme Actions Responsibility Year of delivery
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Priority 1 Building an ecosystem for sustainable creative and cultural planning and
development in County Louth
1.1 Embed culture as a named portfolio within the Director of Services role in Louth Culture Team Chair Q2
County Council, to ensure culture is at the heart of planning in the county
1.2 Develop a memorandum of understanding for members of the Culture Team Culture Team & Coordinator Q2
to ensure clarity of programme delivery arrangements, quarterly meetings and
rollover of project coordination
1.3 Design an annual, facilitated, professional development exploration and planning Culture Team & Q2
session for the County Louth Culture Team to ensure continued focus on realising External Cultural Specialist
the County’s vision for the Creative Ireland Programme
1.4 Maximise opportunities for collaborative working across functional departments Culture Team Q3 and
of Louth County Council and with Culture Team agency and institutional partners ongoing
to enhance the delivery of the Creative Ireland Programme
1.5 Identity opportunities for shared use of spaces locally for cultural engagement Culture Team Q3 and
and activities – e.g. Arts infrastructure, libraries, built heritage, County/museum, ongoing
Protected Structures, DkIT spaces and Creative Spark
1.6 Design opportunities to increase public visibility and understanding of the Culture Team Q3 and
individual functional areas charged with cultural development within the Local ongoing
Authority and beyond
1.7 Employ a part-time administration resource to deliver on the Creative Ireland Culture Team Q2/Q3 and
Programme delivery elements ongoing
1.8 Develop a cohesive partnership between Louth County Council and DkIT to leverage Culture Team and DkIT Q1
the institution’s role in contributing to the social and cultural life of the region
1.9 Promote opportunities for enhanced outreach engagement and cultural Relevant Culture Team Members Immediate
participation for young audiences and connected to key programme initiative and ongoing
1.10 Promote opportunities for schools for increased engagement with local cultural Relevant Culture Team Members Immediate
heritage and access to the built heritage of the County and ongoing
1.11 Encourage and inform of opportunities for progression to third-level studies in Culture Team and DkIT Q1
areas related to the Creative Ireland Programme
1.12 Advocate for continued investment in Louth’s creative industries sector, including Culture Team Immediate
the development potential to support innovation and entrepreneurship in creative and ongoing
careers, combined with the support of artists
1.13 Advocate for incentivisation of private rental market for the delivery of affordable Culture Team and Chair Immediate
and sustainable live / work artist’s studios in urban settings and ongoing
24 25c l á r é i r e i l dá nac h | lú c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
Tosaíochtaí Eilimintí agus Gníomhaíochtaí Cláir Freagracht Bliain an tSoláthair
Priorities Programme Actions Responsibility Year of delivery
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Priority 2 Provision of a Creative Ireland Cultural Communities Fund
2.1 Develop and manage an annual Creative Ireland Cultural Communities Fund to Culture Team Admin and Q2 Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1
support the development of cultural events and activities in local communities External Cultural Resource
across the county
2.2 Develop an Open Call to communities across County Louth to access funding call Culture Team Admin and Q3 Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1
External Cultural Resource
2.2.1 Deliver local workshops to assist uptake and understanding of the External Resource Q3 Q1
application process
2.3 Develop an Cultural Communities Toolkit to assist local, sustainable cultural and Culture Team via External Q3/Q4
creative development and assist understanding for ways in which communities Cultural Resource
can work with local artists and creative practitioners in the development and
delivery of their chosen projects
2.4 Work with dkit to identity ways in which students and staff in relevant creative Relevant Culture Team Members Q1 and
disciplines might support the development of cultural programming and ongoing
provision in local communities
26 27c l á r é i r e i l dá nac h | lú c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
Tosaíochtaí Eilimintí agus Gníomhaíochtaí Cláir Freagracht Bliain an tSoláthair
Priorities Programme Actions Responsibility Year of delivery
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Priority 3 Delivery of a Creative Ireland Excellence Programme
3.1 Work with education partners dkit to carry out baselines research into mapping Culture Team & dkit Q3 Q3 Q3 Q3 Q3
of extant creative and cultural industries, cultural and built heritage assets in
County Louth
3.2 Build on existing Creative Ireland Programme delivery elements (events and Culture Team & Coordinator
programmes held during 2017) which enhance implementation of this strategy
3.3 Further develop opportunities between agency partners for creative career Culture Team & Coordinator Q1 and
development programmes which support creative media and film production ongoing
in particular
3.4 Leverage existing national and international networks of artists and creative and Culture Team & Q1 and
cultural professionals towards the delivery of core programme areas which are External Cultural Specialist ongoing
based on best practice international models of cultural planning and provision
3.5 Develop a series of cultural conversations positioning the relevance of Culture Team Chair Q4 Q2
understanding and appreciating distinct cultural identities within the
County and the cultural impact on communities in County Louth in the
context of a looming brexit
3.6 Continue to develop children and youth cultural activities to include the voice Culture Team & Coordinator Q4 and
of young people in engagement events which will give them the opportunity to ongoing
develop / have a conversation about the cultural landscape they need to fulfil their
creative potential
3.7 Develop a heritage programme which references the rich cultural traditions of the Culture Team & Coordinator Q3 and
County including its archival and collections tradition, set against the backdrop of ongoing
Louth’s built heritage and natural landscapes
3.8 Work with dkit and industry players to leverage opportunities for engagement Culture Team Q2
with international partners through the eu and Border programmes which
promote culture-led development
28 29c l á r é i r e i l dá nac h | lú c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
Tosaíochtaí Eilimintí agus Gníomhaíochtaí Cláir Freagracht Bliain an tSoláthair
Priorities Programme Actions Responsibility Year of delivery
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Priority 4 Communicating our Creative and Cultural Capital
4.1 Review and build on the brand proposition of CreateLouth and its online platform Culture Team Programme Resource Q3/Q4 Q1
to incorporate the Creative Ireland Programme for the County
4.2 Develop a communications framework which promotes both Creative Ireland Culture Team Programme Resource Q3/Q4
Programmes and all cultural and creative programmes and services across the
County; creating a single point of contact for all Louth Creative
4.3 Further develop internal communications between members of the Culture Culture Team Q2 and
Team to ensure timely visibility of opportunities for collaboration and project ongoing
development
4.4 Provide a marketing and communications budget for Creative Ireland Programme Culture Team & Create Louth Q1 and Annual Annual Annual Annual
administration to ensure visibility and coordinated marketing and branding of ongoing
Creative Ireland supported events and programmes
4.5 Provide clear branding guidelines for projects funded as part of the Creative Culture Team & Create Louth Q1 and
Ireland initiative ongoing
30 31c r eat ive ir el and pro g r amm e | l ou t h
9 Key Indicators
for Success
M
easures for success of the • Delivery on the strategic priorities included
strategy will be framed from the in the Creative Ireland Implementation Plan
baseline research study which will be • Increased audience attendance at cultural
carried out during 2018. This study will provide events
an analysis of extant cultural and creative
• Sustained budgets for planned culture and
industries practice, provision, supports and
creative development
services, to include access and engagement in
cultural and creative activity and careers across • Increased access to publicly owned cultural
the County in both urban and rural areas. It and heritage infrastructure
is anticipated that this mapping process will • Increased collaborative working between
be repeated at the conclusion of the five year functional areas of the Local Authority and
Cultural and Creative Strategy implementation industry and educational partners
process. • Uptake of local groups, artists and creative
practitioners in accessing the Cultural
Success of the Creative Ireland programme
Communities Fund
will be measured through the indicative list
of measurements below: • Increased / sustained budgets for Built
Heritage
• • Increased programmes and activity for
culture and creativity developed locally
• Increased participation in cultural activity
locally
• Geographical spread of cultural activity
across the County
32 3310 Conclusion
O
ur culture is part of who we responds to the needs of local cultural players
are and how we live; this Culture and communities; where culture is central to
and Creativity Strategy expands our people’s lives, delivering opportunities for all
understanding of culture as being part of the citizens by increasing access to, and engagement
life of everyone who lives in County Louth. It and participation in cultural activity.
provides an opportunity for cultural players It identifies opportunities for collaborative
to create new ways of working which enhance and embedded cultural development,
the potential for increased collaboration, enhancing the creative potential of creative
enhancing existing plans and frameworks for individuals and communities, highlighting the
cultural development across the County. It leadership advantage of the County in creative
supports the continued expansion of working industries development amongst other priority
relationships between industry, educational, areas, ensuring delivery of the Creative Ireland
enterprise and social development agencies and programme vision locally and making Louth a
organisations, putting culture at the heart of place where culture is valued and supported,
planning and development in County Louth. as positive element which contributes to the
The implementation of this strategy will wellbeing, happiness and development of each
develop ways in which the ownership of culture individual, and embedded in the social fabric of
can be democratised – where it is owned, the County.
managed, developed and delivered locally and
34creative.ireland.ie
You can also read
