Ballyconnell secures funding for creativity

The Cavan town was one of a select few areas which qualified for the funding.

A west Cavan town has received funding as part of the 2023 Creative Places programme.

Ballyconnell was one of a select few areas,which qualified for the funding.

This money enables artists to work with local businesses, community groups and individuals. Creative Places funding aims to create sustained and vibrant cultural activity in a particular area.

The Arts Council funding to date amounts to €4m, building from the launch of the Creative Places pilot in Tuam in 2020.

Additional Creative Places for 2023 include Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford; and Uíbh Ráthaigh, Kerry for-three year programmes; while Edgeworthstown, County Longford and Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon receive research awards to develop their Creative Places.

Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council, said: “We are committed to a vision of access to the arts no matter where you live in Ireland. Our Creative Places programme is critical for the Arts Council, as it gives people access to the arts in their own communities for the first time. This is an artist led programme but is collaborative in nature, and we could not do this without the commitment of local agencies, which include local authorities, community development organisations, arts organisations and local communities themselves.”

Existing places already benefiting from the Creative Places programme include Darndale and Loughlinstown/Ballybrack, County Dublin; Edenderry, County Offaly; Athy, County Kildare; Bagenalstown, County Carlow; the West Cork Islands; Tuam, County Galway; Shannon, County Clare; Baltinglass, County Wicklow; and Tipperary Town.

Creative Places is an opportunity for places to build local arts programmes which will benefit all people who live in these areas and communities. It builds on existing cultural strengths by enabling local artists to lead an inclusive, diverse programme that is rooted in socially engaged practice and community development principles.