Holger Lonze 2 Poetry Day Church Island 2019 Image Credit Valerie O'Sullivan

Following the launch of the Creative Places pilot in Tuam in 2020, the Arts Council is expanding the programme (June 2021 – June 2024). The new Creative Places include Athy (Kildare), Bagenalstown (Carlow), Darndale, (North Dublin), Edenderry (Offaly) and the West Cork Islands for three year programmes, while Shannon (Clare), Iveragh Peninsula (Kerry) and Mac Uilliam (Tallaght) receive research awards to develop their Creative Places.

Creative Places is an opportunity for places which had not benefitted from sustained arts investment in the past to build local arts programmes which will benefit the people who live in these places. Each programme will have a coordinator or researcher who will begin local conversations to discuss and plan a range of brilliant creative and participatory projects for local people to take part in and enjoy. The approach is inclusive and diverse and rooted in socially engaged practice and community development principles. It builds on existing cultural strengths and led by community participation and ideas and supported by artists.

The Arts Council-led programme is underpinned by a commitment in its Making Great Art Work 2016–2025 strategy to increase engagement in the arts, whereby the Arts Council invests directly in a place and its people, working with key local partners to uncover each location’s key assets, resources and ambitions.

Creative Places Tuam

Photo courtesy of 3 Rings (Outdoor Spectacle at Ballyglunin)

Creative Places Tuam is led by Create, the national development agency for collaborative arts. Following extensive research, the town of Tuam was offered the pilot Creative Places programme in 2019 as it satisfied criteria indicating that it would enjoy social and economic benefits from sustained investment in the arts. Existing arts investment and infrastructure, social and economic factors, as well as the cultural diversity of place were examined during the research process and informed the opportunity. You can follow its progress and activities here.

Creative Places Athy

Isabella Fayeun strikes a pose, in response to the ISLA (Irish Sign Language Athy) mural, commissioned by Athy Sing and Sign club, Culture Night 2020’, Image credit, Niall Carson

Creative Places Athy is led by Kildare County Council. “The approach undertaken by the strategic partners in preparing the Creative Places Athy bid is an excellent example of what can be achieved through effective collaboration and I look forward to seeing how the project develops to enhance cultural provision in Athy and environs.” — Peter Carey, Chief Executive of Kildare County Council

Creative Places Bagenalstown

The Maltings, Image credit Carlow Tourism

Creative Places Bagenalstown is led by Carlow County Council. “Bagenalstown is a vibrant place with huge potential for the arts. We would like to thank the Chamber of Business and Tourism for Bagenalstown, Bagenalstown Family Resource Centre, Carlow Regional Youth Services, Bagenalstown Improvement Group, Carlow County Development Partnership, Take A Part Carlow and the Community Section of Carlow County Council who worked closely with the Arts Office to help secure this fund.” —Cllr Fintan Phelan, Cathaoirleach Carlow County Council

Creative Places Darndale

Sunrise over Darndale, June 2021’ Image credit Julien Behal: Photography

Creative Places Darndale is led by Sphere 17. “After a challenging year, I am excited to see what this project can do in reviving a sense of community in Darndale. There was once a lot of activity in the area - we had a variety group for adults and kids who would put on shows in the community hall, for example. I would like to see that this funding is used for everyone in the community. Young, old, whether you're working or not. Everyone in the area should see and feel the benefits of this project.” — Lorraine Kenny, community member, Darndale

Creative Places Edenderry

The Shoes of Edenderry project, Image Courtesy of Offaly County Council

Creative Places Edenderry is led by Creative Lives in partnership with Offaly County Council. “The expansion of The Arts Council’s Creative Places programme is an incredibly exciting moment for communities across the country. The ambitious project we will be delivering in and around Edenderry with our partners will put people, place and participation at the centre of cultural life. Our organisation has spent 30 years supporting and encouraging people to be creative in their everyday lives and this project presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate the many benefits of this to individuals and communities.” — Damien McGlynn, Ireland Director, Creative Lives

Creative Places West Cork Islands

Ardnakinna Lighthouse, Bere Island. Image credit: Joleen Cronin

Creative Places West Cork Islands is led by Cork County Council. “The West Cork Islands are isolated in terms of geography and subject to various economic pressures, but they are also resilient. The commitment by the Arts Council to sustain investment through the Creative Places Scheme over a three year period will allow the necessary time to develop and deliver a range of initiatives to support sustainable artist and community engagement on each of the islands.” — Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy, Chair of Cork County Council’s Arts, Culture and Languages Strategic Policy Committee

Creative Places Uíbh Ráthaigh

Féile na Gréine Rinnce. Image credit: Valerie O'Sullivan

Creative Places Uíbh Ráthaigh is led by Comhchoiste Ghaeltacht Uíbh Ráthaigh. “We are delighted to have this opportunity to reinvigorate community creativity in Gaeltacht Uíbh Ráthaigh. The area has deep wells of culture and this research and development will help us to renew and refresh them for and with the whole community. We look forward to writing new stories together and to developing new ways of working together so that we can look to the future with confidence.” — Áine Uí Bheoláin, Manager

Creative Places Mac Uilliam

Mac Uilliam Estate Image credit: Jonathan Stokes

Creative Places Mac Uilliam is led by Tallaght Community Arts. “The Creative Places funding for our project TogetherHERE is a fantastic opportunity for us to work in partnership with residents of the Mac Ulliam Estate to engage in creative collective actions, to build capacity, to change their social and built environment. It is a vital resource to increase participation among key residents in mapping, planning and delivering much-needed activities and programmes to all residents.” — Tony Fegan, Director of Tallaght Community Arts

Creative Places Shannon

Shannon Town Park Opening. Image courtesy of Clare County Council

Creative Places Shannon is led by Clare County Council. “The pioneers who established Shannon are now the older generation, a generation that has shown resilience and fortitude. Shannon is a town of welcomes, it welcomed and developed new communities from near and far when it was established, and this warmth is evident today in its community spirit. This spirit now gets to be explored creatively through the Creative Places initiative and we look forward to seeing our creative and cultural ambitions realised.” — Siobhán Mulcahy, Arts Officer

For more information please contact the Local, Place and Public Art Team sinead.oreilly@artscouncil.ie and kerryann.mcmanus@artscouncil.ie