The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
New initiative to spark the muse
Arts and heritage interests from across Kerry have their say at meeting on new programme
THE need for greater emphasis on creativity in education was among the most pressing concerns voiced by arts and heritage interests at a public meeting held by Kerry County Council last week.
The Council is charged with bringing the county’s creative forces together to chart a new course for the sector under the Creative Ireland Programme 2017 - 2022; which the Government hopes will deliver on the aims of its Culture 2025 Strategy.
Arts Officer for the county Kate Kennelly is now tasked with co-ordinating it all and was at least delighted with the opening night of the ambitious move.
“We had over 100 turn out from right across the county, Waterville to Dingle to Duagh so that was very positive. Creative Ireland is not, however, just about the arts but takes in everything from heritage to other creative media like digital animation and so on so it was great to see all this being discussed on the night.
Creative Ireland is a five-year programme putting the onus on local authorities to devise clear strategies for the sector into the near future. It does not entail the sudden availability of large sums of money for people working in the arts and heritage, with just €1 million pledged nationally by the Government to date, €30,000 of which is expected to make it down to Kerry.
“We will take everything we can get in funding of course, but I’ve often see what incredible results can be achieved with relatively modest sums.
“The important thing is that Creative Ireland will raise the profile of the nation’s and county’s creative talents and show their work up as being intrinsically a part of who we all are, in the process raising the quality of artistic and heritage output.”
Ms Kennelly likens the coming work as akin to piecing together a jigsaw of public offices and creative talents from across our society.
“For instance I’ll be co-ordinating it all with staff of the county library, heritage office, the Irish language office, the tourism unit, the economic development officer, the arts office and more. It’s like piecing together a jigsaw in the interests of improving creative life in the county.”
Education emerged as a big concern among those present. “There was very much a consensus on the need to focus on creativity in education, ensuring that our children have access to everything from music to digital tuition. It’s not that this work isn’t already happening, but there’s great value in strengthing our support for these things.”
Ms Kennelly also pointed to the success of the musical Patrick as a great example of community coming together in creativity: “It was a wonderful piece of writing by Aidan O’Connor that brought so many Rathmore community groups together in a perfect example of what can be achieved in the field.”