A pilot programme designed to develop creativity and arts in Tuam has been officially launched by the Arts Council.
With funding of €150,000 per year, the three-year Creative Places Ireland programme will encourage a grassroots approach to creativity and arts development in Tuam.
The first-of-its-kind programme was oficially launched at a meeting of the Municipal District of Tuam this morning.
Orlaith McBride, Director of the Arts Council said: “The Creative Places Ireland pilot programme is an exciting step change in how the Arts Council works.
“We look forward to working with the community of Tuam to understand what matters to them and explore lots of new opportunities for people to get involved in the development of the arts in Tuam, by amplifying the instinctive creative impulses of the local community.
“Arts and culture is already strong in the town with its artistic talent including playwright Tom Murphy, Leo Moran, Davy Carton from the Saw Doctors, and musician Brendan Murray.
“We would like to thank Galway County Council for their support and enthusiasm, this project is one we both wish to learn from in order to develop further opportunities in other places.”
Commenting on the launch, Minister Ciaran Cannon said: “I understand that the programme, with funding of €150,000 per year, will encourage what has been termed ‘a sustainable grassroots approach to creativity and arts development’ and create new opportunities for local communities in the sphere of artistic experiences.
“It is also testimony to Tuam’s multi-faceted potential that it was selected for the pilot programme as it met the criteria that it would benefit both socially and economically from artistic investment and that its population had a keen interest in the arts.”
A public meeting will be held on July 18th at 5pm in Tuam library for anyone who wishes to find out more.
