STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 2023 - Creative Spark
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STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 - 2023 S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023 C R E AT I V E S PA R K 1
Photo Credits: Naoimh Larkin, Riley Waite, Jane Campbell, Meilynn Cheung
WELCOME
FROM OUR CHAIR
On behalf of the Board and Management team it is a great pleasure and honour for us
to share our strategic plan 2021-2023.
This is a very exciting time in the development of Creative Spark with projects such as
Enterprise FabLab and Creative Spark Downtown well in development and on target to
be delivered in 2021/22.
These projects haven’t just happened but are as a result of the hard work of the
management team led by our Executive Director, Sarah Daly, current and, indeed past,
Board Members and Chairs. It is only right we acknowledge and thank everyone that
has played their part in the development of the business, these strategic projects and,
indeed, the previous strategic plan 2017-2019.
It gives me great pride to be Chair of a hard working and committed Board and I would
like to thank all members for giving their personal time to support the management
team delivering the 2017-2019 strategic plan and look forward to their continued support
in delivering the 2021-2023 plan.
Michael Farrell
Chair
S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023 C R E AT I V E S PA R K 3
ABOUT US
Creative Spark, a Company Limited by Guarantee and a registered charity, operates as a not-for-
profit social enterprise which aims to develop the local creative industries sector, support new and
established innovative enterprises and activate creativity in the community.
Creative Spark launched in 2012 supported by its funders and stakeholders and is led by a voluntary
Board of Directors and a team of experienced professionals.
This plan sets out our vision for the next three years and proposes significant growth in both the
physical footprint and ambition of Creative Spark, ensuring our social impact through greater social
inclusion, supporting enterprise and employment. We are committed to consolidating our existing
resources and developing new internally-generated income streams to safeguard the delivery of our
strategic vision.
4 C R E AT I V E S PA R K S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023
S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023 C R E AT I V E S PA R K 5
ORIEL
Developments Ltd
2012 2014
OVER
5000 April May
TRAINEES Accepted onto Tús Print Studio Opens
SINCE 2012 2010
Programme
First Annual National Drawing Day
January Creative Spark Opens September
Business Development Artist-in-Residence programme
Manager recruited November launched – Create Louth
August First annual Christmas 2014 Charitable Status attained
Family Open Day Culture Night
2008 SEAI grant
Community Relations Bush & Grange Community Traveller’s Stories Through Craft
November Officer recruited Programme VAI funding for Print Studio
Site identified and September Creative Skills Programme Creative Skills Programme
Masterplan completed Oriel Developments Enterprise Training Enterprise Training Programme
Enterprise Ireland Grant Grant Programme
Little Dreamer Puppet Project (IFI)
November June
June
IFI grant Peace III Grant – Louth County Council
Construction Commenced
December MuPaPu puppet project (IFI)
Louth County Enterprise October Dundalk Youth Arts Festival
Board Grant Dundalk Credit Union Grant
Local Enterprise Office Louth Enterprise
Week
2009
2011 Creative Skills Programme
Enterprise Training Programme
2013
ACHIEVEMENTS & PROGRESS
2018 2020
2016 2020 Creative Spark Downtown Project
MOU with DkIT
funding secured (Enterprise Ireland)
Horizon exhibition
Ethnic & Minority Entrepreneurship INVOLVE Erasmus+
Community History Tapestry Project
Conference SEEK Festival (in collaboration with
Cruinniú na n’Óg
Virtual Incubation Programme Dundalk BIDS)
North Louth Artists Programme
Breathing Space exhibition Hold Steady exhibition
Put it On Music event (Spirit Store)
IBYE Bootcamp FLIP exchange (Anda Cowork
VAI funding for Print Studio Granada)
Ethnic Women’s Stories Through Craft
Creative Industries Development Arts Council funding for Print Studio
Creative Skills Programme Programme
Meet and Code - Girls Can Code!
Enterprise Training Programme Creative Skills Programme
Creative Skills Programme
Enterprise and Innovation Workshop Enterprise Training
Enterprise Training
AAEX network launched Programme
Programme
Ethnic Women’s Stories NEBA launched FabLab funding secured
Through Craft Stretch Exhibition Winner best co-working space
Craft Product Design and Fab Foundation Ireland Design Spiders Awards
Development Programme Week conference 2019 SEEK festival (in collaboration
Creative Skills First Fortnight event with Dundalk BIDS)
Programme Áine by
IBYE Bootcamp Culture United Erasmus+
Enterprise Training Annie June
VAI funding for Print Studio Beneath the Surface exhibition
Programme Callaghan
Creative Enterprise Development FLIP exchange (Baltic Liverpool)
Enterprise and Innovation
Programme Meet and Code - Girls Can Code!
Workshops (Design &
Crafts Council of Ireland Product Design and Digital Creative Skills Programme
35
& LEO Louth) Fabrication Programme Enterprise Training
Grow Your Craft Business
Come to the Edge Programme
SINCE THE PROGRAMME
Exhibition Programme
Design Thinking Programme
ARTISTS-IN- LAUNCHED AT
RESIDENCE
THE END OF
2014
Creative Skills Programme 2019
Enterprise Training
2015
Programme
2017
PURPOSE
Creative Spark, a centre for creativity and innovation, provides space, skills,
technology, structures and a platform for peer support and capacity building for
creative practitioners, start-ups and entrepreneurs.
It aims to advance education and benefit the community of County Louth and
the wider region through providing opportunities to improve core skills, aid
learning processes, raise confidence and self-esteem.
VISION
Our vision is to provide a collaborative environment where learners, educators,
innovators, start-ups, SMEs, creative industries and the local community can
meet and exchange ideas, knowledge and best practice – to provide economic
opportunity and development across our region.
MISSION
Our mission is to provide space and technology and deliver diverse programmes
that reach and activate creative and entrepreneurial people in our community by
building capacity and staying ahead of requirements for successful creative and
innovative entrepreneurship.
8 C R E AT I V E S PA R K S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023
OUR PILLARS
Working across creativity, enterprise and community we have three pillars to our activities:
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3
WE WE WE
PROVIDE DELIVER CONNECT
SPACE SUPPORTS CLUSTERS
S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023 C R E AT I V E S PA R K 9
WE PROVIDE SPACE
MEETING PEER-
WORKSPACE & TRAINING SUPPORT COMMUNITY
SPACE SPACE
CREATIVE
CO-WORKING
INNOVATION SOCIAL SPACE
SPACE
SPACE
Creative Spark is a place to work. It will stimulate enterprise and advance creativity,
innovation and education in the North-East region through
Our ambition is that Creative Spark continues to operate
the establishment of a digital fabrication enterprise and
efficiently, maximising opportunities for our occupants, and
co-working initiative.
increasing business and community use of our facilities.
We will continue to provide professional quality meeting The extended facility will include a new Creative Spark
and training facilities and will invest in improved video Community Café to encourage social interactions between
conferencing and broadcasting facilities. Creative Spark members, visitors and the local community.
By 2030, one job out of two will have disappeared, and In tandem with this expansion project, the Creative Spark
60% of jobs that will be performed do not exist yet. Downtown Project seeks to develop an urban enterprise
We want to be a key driver ensuring that our region is ecosystem to support a network of entrepreneurs and
prepared for this. businesses with a focus on start-ups, scaling companies
and smart- and remote-workers. The project will provide
Our project, Enterprise FabLab* at Creative Spark will
hot-desk and co-working facilities in Dundalk town
provide access to a suite of state-of-the-art digital
centre, managed and supported by Creative Spark and its
fabrication hardware and software co-located with a
experienced team.
thriving enterprise centre.
*A Fab Lab is Digital Fabrication Laboratory - a place where anyone can make (almost) anything, using digital design, 3D
printers, laser cutting, CNC milling and other advanced technological machines.
10 C R E AT I V E S PA R K S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023OBJECTIVES
PILLAR 1
• Maximise occupancy of existing Creative Spark facilities
• Double the existing facility at Creative Spark with the successful
delivery of the Enterprise FabLab and increased provision of co-
working space and a Community Café
• Grow the Print Studio membership with enhanced facilities and
equipment
• Grow the usage of the Ceramics Studio with improved facilities in the
new extension
• Secure funding to develop the Creative Spark Downtown Project
with the aim of supporting remote working for all sectors and
entrepreneurs
• Provide professional quality meeting and training facilities; invest
in improved video conferencing and online broadcasting facilities
and grow the use of these enhanced facilities by the local business
community, training providers and industry
• Collaborate with our internal community to maximise the use of the
original site spaces to ensure its full occupancy and activation
• Grow the use of meeting and training facilities by community and
voluntary groups
S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023 C R E AT I V E S PA R K 11WE DELIVER SUPPORTS
ARTIST-IN-
ENTERPRISE SOURCE
RESIDENCE
TRAINING EXPERTISE
PROGRAMME
CREATIVITY & PLACEMENTS
MENTORING &
INNOVATION AND STUDENT
SIGNPOSTING
SKILLS TRAINING
Creative Spark is a place to learn. offer subsidised places on every course to encourage and
enable access to everyone in our local community.
It provides a creative community environment where
people can meet, design and create. Creative Spark We provide collaborative learning models that link
offers mentoring and training programmes in creative entrepreneurship, technology and science with business
skills, entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. We and practical, tangible, hands-on learning of content within
seek to raise the level of educational benefits to the a nurturing entrepreneurship environment. Our research
community by developing accredited programmes with shows a key concern for the enterprise sector is the ‘work
local educational institutions and continue to seek the readiness’ of individuals who emerge from education and
input of our beneficiaries and stakeholders to ensure that training at whatever level.
the programmes we develop and deliver are relevant and The Enterprise FabLab at Creative Spark will provide
appropriate to local needs. participant individuals, industries and SMEs with greater
Innovative offerings have been key to the Creative Spark access to resources, complementary skills, capabilities and
success formula. Our specialist facilities for training, knowledge that are not internally available.
collaboration, research, design and production include The Creative Spark Downtown Project will develop relevant
a fully equipped Print Studio, a Ceramics Studio and and timely training programmes to support remote and
the Artist-in-Residence studio. Classes and courses are smart working.
offered across a wide range of creative disciplines and we
12 C R E AT I V E S PA R K S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023OBJECTIVES
PILLAR 2
• Audit the needs of our stakeholders and undertake a talent mapping
exercise to document our region’s ICT capability, infrastructure,
innovation ecosystem, STEAM and language competences and skills
with a view to consolidate and further activate the supports we offer
• Continue and expand our training programmes in Enterprise, Creativity,
Innovation in collaboration with training agencies and through our Print
Studio, Creative Skills Panel and FabLab
• In partnership with DkIT develop and deliver Level 6 to Level 9
accredited training programmes of direct relevance to the creative
industries and manufacturing sectors
• Develop our website as a platform for online training and resources, encouraging a new virtual network to
connect and engage in person
• Collaborate with education and training organisations to offer placement opportunities to students, including
DkIT, O’Fiaich College, DIFE and TY students of local second level schools
• Access and participate in Erasmus+ international programmes
• Participate in Peer-2-Peer and FLIP programmes through EU Creative Hubs Network
• Continue to grow and develop our Artist-in-Residence and Print Studio residencies
• Continue and expand our exhibition programme
• Develop an ‘Alumni Network’ for Creative Spark, a new resource pool to share learnings, provide mentoring, and
be champions and ambassadors for Creative Spark in their communities and networks
• Establish an advisory group for FabLab (engineers, designers, industry, SMEs, makers/makers groups)
S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023 C R E AT I V E S PA R K 13WE CONNECT CLUSTERS
PEER ACTIVATING
NETWORKING COLLABORATION CREATIVITY IN
ENABLEMENT COMMUNITIES
CONNECTING IDEA GENERATION
EVENTS ACTIVITIES
Creative Spark is an active regional, national work collaboratively on improving meaningful and practical
and international collaborator. community and industry involvement through the creation
and delivery of programmes for our stakeholders in
The delivery of the Enterprise FabLab which aims to
Dundalk and the region.
develop an entrepreneurial cluster whilst solving real
industry challenges and providing assistance in business The Creative Spark Downtown Project will engage a new
support, as well as technical, engineering and design community of smart and remote workers who are more
expertise within a dedicated facility, is of high value to active in the local community as a consequence of our
our region and will link us into the FabLab global network changing working environment.
based out of MIT. Creative communities are supported through the delivery
Creative Spark has a long-standing track record of of peer to peer learning events, projects and open days in
collaboration with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) collaboration with Create Louth, AAEX, Louth Craftmark
and the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2018 Designers Network, Visual Artists Ireland, DCCI and
provides a unique opportunity for both organisations to others.
14 C R E AT I V E S PA R K S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023OBJECTIVES
PILLAR 3
• Connect with accredited education and certification bodies to develop accredited training opportunities and a
specialised mentoring panel focusing on design and innovation
• Engage the new Engineering Network for strategic partnership that activates that cluster and use the new FabLab
resources to identify and activate new creative and other clusters
• Connect to outside industries via a membership model for FabLabs which provides upskilling opportunities for
innovation teams
• Develop and activate a new dynamic business stimulation strategy in partnership with organisations aligned with
our mission and values
• Connect to decision makers, stakeholders and those with a shared vision with Creative Spark in the region
by offering meeting space and getting involved in programmes of shared mission or values and presenting
opportunities for partnership and investment
• Connect with our immediate community in Muirhevnamor and the broader Dundalk community through the
opening of a Community Café, providing a space for the community to meet informally
• Connect to other centres nationally and internationally through the NACEC, EU Creative Hubs, Irish Print Studio
Network and FabLab Global
• Design a series of symposia that establish Creative Spark as a thought leader and affirm our position as the driver
for the creative industries in Louth
• Develop a town-centre presence for Creative Spark that activates our Fab Lab development and makes it relevant
for the citizens of Dundalk
• Develop a proposal for a Mobile Creative Spark – via a bus / pop-up studio or FabLab, breaking down barriers of
access for many communities
• Continue to support and collaborate with Create Louth, AAEX, Louth Craftmark Designers Network and Culture
Team Louth
• Continue collaboration with DkIT to deliver Level 6 to Level 9 accredited training programmes
S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023 C R E AT I V E S PA R K 15TIMELINE FOR OBJECTIVES
2021 2022
Maximise occupancy of existing Creative Spark Double the existing facility at Creative Spark
facilities maximise the use of the original site
Connect with the community in Dundalk through
spaces and ensure full occupancy and activation
the opening of a Community Café
Grow Print Studio membership and usage of
Develop and deliver Level 7 Certificate in
Ceramics Studio
Advanced Manufacturing accredited training in
Launch the Creative Spark Downtown Project collaboration with DkIT
Commence construction of Enterprise FabLab Develop our website as a platform for online
training and resources, encouraging a new virtual
Audit the needs of our stakeholders and undertake
network to connect and engage in person
a talent mapping exercise
Develop an ‘Alumni Network’ for Creative Spark
Invest in improved video conferencing and online
broadcasting facilities Establish an advisory group for Enterprise
FabLab
Grow the use of meeting and training facilities by
community and voluntary groups
Participate in International Programmes through
EU Creative Hubs Network and Erasmus+
Develop and deliver Level 6 Certificates in Digital
Media and Digital Design & Fabrication accredited
training in collaboration with DkIT
16 C R E AT I V E S PA R K S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023Maximise occupancy
and grow
memberships
2023 Expand our training
programmes in
Enterprise, Creativity,
Innovation
Connect to outside industries via a
membership model for FabLabs which
Offer placement
provides upskilling opportunities for
innovation teams
opportunities to
students
Develop and activate a new dynamic
business stimulation strategy in
partnership with organisations aligned
with our mission and values
Design a series of symposia that Continue and expand
establish Creative Spark as a thought our exhibition
leader and affirm our position as the programme
driver for the creative industries in Louth
Develop a proposal for a Mobile Connect to other
Creative Spark centres nationally and
Continue collaboration with DkIT to internationally and
deliver Level 6 to Level 9 accredited develop new strategic
training programmes
partnerships
S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023 C R E AT I V E S PA R K 17Our Board Our Staff
Michael Farrell (Chair) Brian Harten Sarah Daly
Adèle Commins (Vice-Chair) Harry McCarthy Velimir Dukic
Frankie Watters (Treasurer) Thomas McEvoy Niamh Gregory
Marianne Butler Conor Patterson Barry McDonald
Mary Capplis Fionnuala Rogers Gráinne Murphy
Bernhard Gaul Rachel Tinniswood Julie Whitmarsh
Our Partners and Supporters
ORIEL
Developments Ltd
18 C R E AT I V E S PA R K S T R AT E G I C P L A N 2021 - 2023The Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. Creative Spark strives to keep these goals at the forefront of all decision making and work practice, to help create a better future. In particular: Company Limited by Guarantee – Number 426657 CHY 19122 Registered Charity Number 20143060 Creative Spark CLG is compliant with the Charities Governance Code
Creative Spark
Clontygora Drive,
Muirhevnamor,
Dundalk, A91 HF77
hello@creativespark.ie
+353 42 938 5720
www.creativespark.ie
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