Minister discusses Creative Ireland with Meath CEO
The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, met with Meath Chief Executive Jackie Maguire last week to discuss the roll out of Creative Ireland Programme / Clár Éire Ildánach in Meath.
Creative Ireland is the Government’s Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016 Centenary. It is a five-year all-of-government initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which at its core is a wellbeing strategy which aims to improve access to cultural and creative activity in every county across the country. In preparation, Minister Humphreys met with all local authority CEOs last week.
Creative Ireland will prioritise children’s access to art, music, drama and coding; enhance the provision of culture and creativity in every community; further develop Ireland as a global hub for film and TV production; empower and support our artists and drive investment in our cultural institutions; further enhance our global reputation abroad. From 2018, an annual County of Culture will also be held each year.
A major pillar of the Creative Ireland programme is called ‘Enabling Creativity in Every Community’. Local Authorities are the primary instrument for delivery of the programme objectives throughout the country over the next five years, and they are central to the success of Creative Ireland.
As part of Creative Ireland, a culture team will be established in every county, which will be tasked with developing a culture plan for that county. Each Local Authority will appoint a co-ordinator for the programme, and a public workshop will be held to share the Creative Ireland plans and invite input from the public.
Speaking after the meeting Minister Humphreys said:
“Creative Ireland is the Irish Government’s ambitious five year programme to place culture and creativity at the heart of public policy. I have met with Jackie Maguire to discuss how we will maximise the impact of the programme in Meath.
Minister Humphreys said: 'I have asked Jackie Maguire to establish a Culture Team bringing together relevant personnel to develop a Culture & Creativity Plan for Meath to drive public participation in creative cultural activity in Meath.
'I have also asked the national Creative Ireland team to conduct workshops around the country this spring. I view these workshops as a two-way learning process from which best practice can emerge. The date for the Meath workshop will be announced in the coming weeks.
She continued: 'I have made a specific allocation of €1million to the Local Authorities towards the implementation of the 2017 Creative Ireland Plans.
'I want to send a very strong message about Ireland’s ambitions for our creative sectors and our vision to help children and communities to fulfil their creative potential. Ireland has an opportunity to lead by example as we roll out the Creative Ireland programme”
“I am very pleased that my Department is providing €1 million in funding for the Local Authority network to enable the roll out of Creative Ireland in every county.”