Art matters in 2011

Awards, residencies, exhibitions and projects across disciplines including visual art, dance, theatre and more – Cavan County Council arts office has lots covered for the coming year. Here, Cavan's arts officer, Catriona O'Reilly, outlines plans to roll out a number of programmes and events in 2011. Open Art Conceived and managed by Yvonne Cullivan, the Open Art Programme aims to enhance professional development for the visual arts community, to provide insight into contemporary visual arts practice and to strengthen affiliations between the visual arts and the general public. It returns in 2011 with presentations from artists: John Byrne, Michael Fortune, Niamh O'Connor, Christine Mackey, Jennie Moran and Oliver Comerford. It takes place at the Bullock Lane Arts Space on January 29, February 26, March 26, April 30, May 28 and June 25. Public talks will be from 11am-12pm and professional development sessions from 12pm-1pm. Visual Art Exhibitions The Colour Of A? by artist Anne O'Reilly continues at Johnston Central Library until January 21. Further exhibitions planned for 2011 include: Margaret Deignan, Alan James Burns, works from the National Gallery, Cavan to Madgascar – A Musical Journey by Paddy Bush, Scoping Worlds 2 from the Camera Obscura Artists Collective. Karen Downey is working with a photographic artist on an exhibition on the theme of contemporary literature. PEACE III Projects Two Peace III Small Grants were secured in 2010 in conjunction with partners Cathal Buí Festival, Blacklion and Slievebeagh Centre on the Monaghan Fermanagh Border. Seeing Across Boundaries, a unique project in the visual arts aims to foster an appreciation of both cultural identities and social histories traversing the Border areas and to further define them within a broader artistic and technological history. This project takes camera obscura as its central device to examine observation in art and the culture of surveillance, amongst other issues of identity and representation. Canadian born artist Sylvia Grace Borda was commissioned to work with communities across the Border in developing the central concept and create an original design for a sculptural or ‘gateway' artwork in the cross-border Geo Park. Contributors to this project include: artistic collaborator, Keith Donnelly; Maura Pringle, map maker and reconciliation facilitator; Barrie Hartwell, geographer, historian and archaeologist; Richard Coleman, scientist and Lecturer from Latrobe University Melbourne and Maria Latin, research fellow at the Emily Carr University. Ten local artists have been engaged in a series of master-classes and are working with the community on themes emerging from this project. This project is currently funded under Peace III and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Project Manager Rhonda Tidy is in the process of securing further supports for the next phase of the project for 2011. For anyone who wants a sneak preview, an exhibition showcasing the work in progress will take place in the Bluewall Gallery in 2011.   Public Art In 2010 Casting Light Public Art Project by John Byrne and co-ordinated by Rhonda Tidy as part of the arts office engagement with the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil. The aim of this project was to create a visual spectacle using indigenous urban architecture in the centre of Cavan. It was conceived and realised by John Byrne in the form of original high definition digital video and custom made imagery projected on the Ulster Bank. The video was architecturally mapped onto the façade. The piece was streamed nightly and an archival video will be available on www.cavanarts.ie soon. The theme of music and common ground will inform the development of this initiative in 2011 and an application for a PEACE III small grant will be prepared. The project will investigate relationships forged through music. Dance Cavan County Council under the public art budget plan to engage a Dance Artist in Residence for a six-month period. This person will work to explore and grow the awareness of and participation in dance in the county. Drama The Back Stage Pass Initiative and other supports in theatre will be providing. Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older people with workshops, performances and creative engagement will take place during the month of May. Bullock Lane Residency In conjunction with Cavan Town Council a residency or series of these will be offered to artists to work in Cavan. Strategic Arts Plan Cavan County Council is in the process of preparing a Strategic Arts Plan for the county. If you would like to make a submission, email Joanne McSherry at jmcsherry@cavancoco.ie. Arts Awards Arts Awards are open and the closing date for application is February 11, 2011. The Arts Awards formerly known as the Arts Act Grants support community groups engaged in arts activity and artists to develop professionally, to enhance audience participation and increase awareness of the arts in County Cavan. Application form and guidelines are available on www.cavanarts.ie or email jmcsherry@cavancoco.ie. Hard copies from reception at the Farnham Centre in Cavan. Arts Office staff are available to assist with completing the form. The support of the Arts Council remains crucial to the provision of the arts in County Cavan. Contact Cavan County Council arts office at 049-4378547. – Catriona O'Reilly, Cavan arts officer