The scheme, established in May 2016, aims to identify new ways of strengthening access to the arts for people across Ireland and to highlight the role of the arts in building sustainable, cohesive communities. The projects highlight the quality of perception and ambition within local authority arts, which have all identified unique approaches to the many facets of the arts that they are invested in.  

EXIT 15

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown with Queens University, Belfast City Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Voluntary Arts Ireland and Create

Exit 15 is a creative place programme responding to the artistic aspirations of local people in the Ballyogan area of DLR. It is coupled with an action research project led by Queens University in tandem with two other local authorities and arts partners.  

AN URGENT ENQUIRY

Wexford County Council with Dublin City and Fingal County Councils

A collaborative and interdepartmental enquiry with biodiversity officers to research new models of future public art commissioning with focusing on the pertinent issue of art and biodiversity, common to their eastern coastlines, which will take the form of a forum in each county coastline with invited local national and international art & biodiversity experts to contribute to the enquiry.

DANCE AND HEALTH

Kildare County Council with Tipperary and Kerry County Councils and Dance Ireland

A Dance and Health action research programme to deepen the place of dance in healthcare in partnership with regionally based local authorities, health professionals communities and dance artists with the overall aim of providing a model that can be used nationally.

LOCAL ARTS RESEARCH

Leitrim County Council, with Kildare, Fingal and Limerick together with Prof. John O’Hagan and Indecon

A research project which represents a strategic intention by the local authority partners, who all work in different contexts, to examine Arts Service work practices in a variety of contexts, to better understand their changing roles, inform future policy development and meet the future sector and public needs.

SYMPHONY FOR THE BLIND

Clare County Council with the Irish Memory Orchestra, Arts and Disability Ireland and National Council for the Blind

A research and development orchestral project for musicians who are visually impaired, leading to the composition of a new work and creating a supportive environment for musicians to learn music through braille and audio platforms, led by the Irish Memory Orchestra and 3L an online teaching resource

THE AUTONOMY PROJECT

Limerick City and County Council with UL, Dance Limerick, Music Generation, GOSHH,

The Autonomy Project is a multi-disciplinary youth programme, led by Lisa McLoughlin which focuses on tolerance and action through art culminating with week-long performance / installation and symposium with international contributors on art and autonomy in UL led by Dr Niamh McGabhann. Facilitating artists in the youth projects will be mentored by Amanda Coogan