€75,000 funding boost for the arts in Wicklow
TWO arts organisations in Co Wicklow are due to receive a funding boost from the Arts Council.
Wordwell Ltd and Courthouse Arts Centre are among the 131 artists, arts organisations and projects nationwide that will share in funding of €7.3 million from the Arts Council through its Arts Grant Funding programme.
The Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely will receive a grant of €50,000 and Wordwell Ltd, a publisher, has been awarded €25,000 under the funding programme.
A spokesperson for the Courthouse Arts Centre said the centre ‘appreciates the continuing support from the Arts Council. It allows us to provide a professional venue bringing a wide range of arts and entertainment to Tinahely and surrounding area. This support also enables local children, groups and associations’ meetings and events that benefit the community as a whole.’
Meanwhile, the Arts Council said Wicklow audiences will have the opportunity to experience a range of arts events in 2020 as aport of an investment of €915,000 through its Touring and Dissemination of Work Scheme in 22 companies and artists to bring great art on tour to 26 counties across every region of Ireland. The productions set to be staged in Wicklow venues in 2020 include are Pan Pan Theatre Company’s ELIZA’s Adventures in the Uncanny Valley, Anna Newell’s I AM BABA, Rose Henderson’s ‘Take Off Your Cornflakes’ and Jazz on The Terrace will tour the Conor Guilfoyle Octet playing the music of jazz trumpeter Miles David.
Speaking about the announcement, Arts Council Director Orlaith McBride said:
‘The Arts Council is delighted to announce this significant investment in the arts through our Arts Grant Funding and Touring programmes. This investment recognises the world class talent that continues to be displayed by our artists and arts organisations. The range of activities supported will ensure that audiences across the island of Ireland will have access to artistic work of ambition, innovation and excellence.’ Kilcoole Mental Health Support Group wants to develop a support group for local people where they can access information, support and a friendly chat.
The group held a listening week to find out what people need and what the community wants. Sessions were held in Nicky’s village fruit, vegetable and coffee shop last Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The afternoons included tea, coffee, some chatting, and a free ticket for a draw. The group has also carried out a needs analysis on the subject.
‘We really want to provide support for the community, in the community, and listening to what people need and what type of support group they would like to see is part of how we are setting the group up,’ said founder Sylvia Scanlon Dunne.
The Kilcoole Mental Health Support Group Committee, with development support from Bray Area Partnership, has been meeting to explore the establishment of a support group in the local area.
The listening week was a way to engage with the wider community and give people an opportunity to have a say on what they think a community based mental health support group should look like.