Roscommon County Council ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 For further information contact:

Arts Officer, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Telephone: 090 6637100 Email: [email protected] www.roscommoncoco.ie

© Roscommon County Council 2017

Cover Photo: Ceol Connected – The Return of Spring. Bookworms Festival 2015 This page: Kate Murtagh Sheridan CONTENTS Page

Cathaoirleach - Foreword 4 Chief Executive - Foreword 4 Introduction 5 Context 6-7 Achievements from ‘Arts for All’ Arts Plan 2013 – 2016 8-9 Supporting Principles 10 Priorities 11-12 Strategic Goals 13-15 Appendix 16 4 ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 CATHAOIRLEACH, COMHAIRLE CONTAE ROS COMÁIN - FOREWORD As Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, I am delighted to welcome the Arts Plan 2017 – 2021. This, our third arts plan strengthens and reinforces the commitment of Roscommon County Council to the arts by positively encouraging and facilitating the development of creative and artistic activity in the county. We recognise the inherent value of creativity and the arts and their contribution to society, health and wellbeing, education and the economy.

Essentially, art is a way of expressing thoughts and ideas. It can transport us to a realm of greater understanding, awareness, appreciation of transient beauty and can be a powerful tool in challenging norms and enhancing creativity and innovation. With this plan, the council will continue to promote the arts by providing greater opportunities and access to arts events, festivals, workshops, creative spaces, information and expertise. It supports the work of artists (of all disciplines) and recognises the contribution they make to the cultural life of County Roscommon. The Roscommon Arts Plan 2017 – 2021 is inclusive and will encourage greater appreciation and participation in the arts generally, for people of all ages and backgrounds thus enhancing our quality of life and well being.

I would like to especially recognise the outstanding work of the Arts Office and its community focussed approach, which is making the arts more accessible to all in County Roscommon. Go n-éirí an t-ádh le Plean Ealaíon Ros Comáin (2017 - 2021). Cllr. Orla Leyden

Roscommon County Youth Orchestra 2010 CHIEF EXECUTIVE, COMHAIRLE CONTAE ROS COMÁIN - FOREWORD When we talk about the value of arts and culture to society, we always begin with the intrinsic value - how arts and culture can nurture and grow our inner lives and enrich our emotional world. This is what we value. However, we also understand that arts and culture has a wider, more measurable impact on our economy, health and wellbeing, education and society. It is important that we also recognise this impact, in order to help people think of our arts and culture for what they are - a strategic national resource. Both concepts of the value of artsCHIE and culFtu rEXEe i.e. intrinsicCUTI and eVxtrinsicE’S ar eF noOREt mutuallyW exORclusiveD – indeed they are both fundamental to our understanding of the influenLorecme o ipsf theum arts dolor and sit cul amteutr,e c onon sethect individualetur adipi scanding t oe lsociit. Duietsy. luctus luctus odio ac fermentum. Praesent dapibus eu odio at volutpat. Cras ultricies ligula nunc, eget molestie arcu lobortis nec. Donec dignissim odio erat. Donec posuere dolor in feugiat pellentesque. RoscMoommrbi omna Cxountyimus vCouncilulputa’st eA rmtsa gPnalan e 2017uism od– 2021 porta f.ocu Seds esult onric ithees c artisonsetqu, childat orrenci, andqui sy oungfringi llpeople,a dui r utpublirumc eneggeatg. Nementullam withvehi ctheula artsin or ci non condimentum.Phasellus id ante risus. Aliquam consequat lacus sit amet egestas vulputate. In a libero quis ante molestie semper and the continued strategic and sustainable investment in arts infrastructure. These four priorities, I believe will, on the one hand, ac sit amet eros. Mauris enim enim, dapibus a urna at, dapibus ullamcorper velit. grow and develop the arts in the county in both exciting and innovative ways and, on the other hand will, reinforce the tremendous drive and momentum, which has build up over the past number of years. The Arts Plan acknowledges and validates the significance Nulla pharetra nisl vel pharetra finibus. Duis egestas justo magna, non pulvinar justo laoreet quis. Pellentesque iaculis mi vitae elit and importance of the arts and culture at both an individual and societal level and, I believe, demonstrates the enormous value that fringilla fermentum id ut arcu. Vivamus vel blandit orci. Aenean id urna rutrum sapien volutpat congue id at erat. Maecenas nec is plavolutced poant tlehcet aus,rts ut b ye Rfficioscturomm neque.on Count Sed ypha Counciretral. erI waetl cleomeo, ut t hevulput Artsa tPlean ipsum 2017 aliqu – 2021et eg, eant.d I look forward to the delivery of the various programmes and initiatives, which will evolve during the lifetime of the plan. Mr. Eugene Cummins ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 5 INTRODUCTION Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis luctus luctus odio ac fermentum. Praesent dapibus eu odio at volutpat. CCulratsu urle,tri ccriesea tivityligula nunc and, the ege tarts moles artiee f undamentalarcu lobortis n teoc .wh Doanect w deig anirsse asim aod people,io erat. Dason aec society posuere and dolor as in a f ceuountrgiat pely. Cleulntesurque, e. cMreorbiativity maxi mandus thevulput artsate add mag tnao ae uipersosmodn’ pso exrtaperien. Sed uclteri cinies - andconse ofqu - alitf oer candi, qui asr efr ain wgiallay douif crommunicutrum egeatting. Nulla andm v echionneculac inting orc i non condimentum.Phasellus id ante risus. Aliquam consequat lacus sit amet egestas vulputate. In a libero quis ante molestie semper with others, society and the world. They are a way of creating, relating and of appreciating various forms of art, ac sit amet eros. Mauris enim enim, dapibus a urna at, dapibus ullamcorper velit. music, song, dance, poetry, stories, theatre and heritage. Cultural, creative and arts activities provide an opportunity tNullao ex pepharireentrace nisland v selh phaowcreatrase wfinibus.hat it Duisis th eagtestas mak ejuss utos unmagna,ique nonas a pulvinar people, jus thteor eblaoyre neot tquis. only P elleninstillitesqueng a iaculissense miof vitaepride elit, butfring alsoilla f ercrmeeatingntum a id sense ut arc uo.f Vbelongingivamus vel btolan ad citounty orci. A andenean to iad upeople.rna rutrum sapien volutpat congue id at erat. Maecenas nec volutpat lectus, ut efficitur neque. Sed pharetra erat leo, ut vulputate ipsum aliquet eget. The individual is at the heart of any programme delivered growing belief across all Government departments that by Roscommon County Council and the arts programme the arts belong to everybody and that there is a need to is no different. Through the arts, the individual finds the increase access to, and participation in, the arts, boost space and freedom for expression and creativity. On the our creative industries and preserve our heritage. The other hand, groups of like minded people also discover, continued empowerment of local authorities leading through the arts, shared interests, which can unify the engagement of citizens with our arts and culture and create a feeling of acceptance and belonging. is recognized as being essential.

The previous Arts Plan ‘Arts for All’ 2013 – 2016 Local authorities are acknowledged as being the primary was written during a period of challenging financial instruments of community engagement and as having uncertainties. The plan sought to stimulate, develop a particular capacity for local programme delivery, and support interest in the arts from all sectors of especially in the context of citizen engagement. the community and the programmes contained there- in reflected this aim. During the lifetime of the plan, The Government also recognises that high quality infras- Roscommon County Council continued to invest in the tructure is critical for a vibrant arts and culture sector arts by building and improving the arts infrastructure and that investment in cultural infrastructure underpins in the county including King House, Boyle and its social cohesion and supports strong and sustainable ancillary buildings and premises, Roscommon Arts economic growth. Centre and the Douglas Hyde Centre in Portahard. There was increased investment in the arts programme, This Arts Plan 2017-2021, will continue to support artists supporting, affirming and developing those initiatives to work and live in the county, will increase investment which are proving very successful such as the children’s in arts infrastructure, will grow the level of engagement and young people’s arts programmes and introducing and participation in the arts at local level and will focus on new and challenging initiatives such as the literary quality arts programming for children and young people. development programme, arts and disability programme All this will be done having regard to the demographics of and a collaborative programme to encourage the the county and balancing the need to respond to the unique development of the film sector in the region. needs and desires of the citizens of this rural county and challenging, stimulating and inspiring with the introduction The current Arts Plan 2017-2021 is being written at a of those forms of art and culture which are new, different time when at national level, culture, creativity and the and often out of the ordinary. arts are recognised and acknowledged as being intrinsic to a more prosperous, successful society. There is a 6 ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 CONTEXT LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK The 2003 Arts Act requires each local authority to prepare and implement plans for the development of the arts. 6. - (1) A local authority shall, for the purposes of section 31 of the Local Government Act, 1994, prepare and implement plans for the development of the arts within its functional area and shall, in so doing, take account of policies of the Government in relation to the arts. [Arts Act 2003]

The Arts Act, 2003 defines the arts as follows: Any creative or interpretative expression (whether traditional or contemporary) in whatever form, and includes,

medium which is used for those purposes. [Arts Act 2003]

NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht oversees the protection and presentation of Ireland’s heritage and cultural assets and promotes long-term sustainable economic and social progress across rural Ireland.

The goal of the Department’s Arts Division is to promote and develop Ireland’s artistic and creative strengths at home and abroad and to maximise their societal, economic and reputational value for the country. The Department works to enhance access to the arts by promoting and encouraging artistic expression, cultural awareness and participation. The Department funds and works closely with the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board to secure the implementation of appropriate and effective strategies for the arts in partnership with the artistic community and the film industry. The Department’s Culture Ireland Unit promotes Irish Arts and Artists abroad.

The Department is currently working on the first ever National Cultural Policy – Culture 2025 – which will clearly articulate the important role of culture in Ireland, and which will set out a road map for what the cultural sector wants to achieve for the ten years leading up to 2025. Creative Ireland is the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in the Government’s policy document, Culture 2025.

CREATIVE IRELAND Creative Ireland is the Government’s Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016. 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. 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; drive investment in our cultural institutions; and further enhance our global reputation abroad.

Local authorities have a crucial role in the overall local delivery of the entire Creative Ireland programme and are exclusively mandated, through their culture teams, to deliver Pillar two of the programme – ‘Enabling Creativity in Every Community’. In response to this call by Creative Ireland, Roscommon County Council has set up a Culture Team which is representative of the key local authority services which includes the arts, libraries, heritage and community, in keeping with the co-operative approach taken by Creative Ireland nationally. ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 7

THE ARTS COUNCIL The Arts Council is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. The Council recognises that the arts have a central and distinctive contribution to make to our evolving society. Established in 1951, to stimulate public interest in, and promote the knowledge, appreciation and practice of, the arts, the Council advises the Minister and other public bodies on the arts and provides financial assistance, mainly, but not exclusively, to artists and arts organisations; it supports others who develop and promote the arts; it publishes research and information as an advocate for the arts and artists; and it undertakes a range of projects to promote and develop the arts, often in partnership with others. The Arts Council in ‘Developing the Arts: Arts Council Strategic Statement (2013)’ state that they will work with individual local authorities to support sustainable arts provision across the county.

The Arts Council recently published its ten-year strategy ‘Making Great Art Work 2016- 2025’. The strategy identifies the following priorities:

Primary Role Public Investment Spatial and Developing of the Artist: Engagement: Strategy: Demographic Capacity: Planning: Artists are More people Public monies Well planned Building supported to will enjoy are invested arts provision knowledge, make excellent high-quality effectively to benefit people skills and work which is arts experiences to realise across the inventiveness enjoyed and priorities country to realise valued this strategy

In 2016, the Arts Council and the City and County Managers Association (CCMA) published a ‘Framework for Collaboration’. The purpose of the agreement was to highlight the value and clarify the current position of the 30-year strategic partnership between the Arts Council and local authorities nationwide, and to set out a vision and broad goals of what is to be achieved by the partners over the next ten years.

LOCAL POLICY FRAMEWORK In preparing this Arts Plan 2017-2021, the Arts Office is informed by and responsive to the Council’s Corporate Plan 2015-2019, and adheres to the policy positions set out in the County Development Plan 2013-2019. The County Development Plan affirms that the Council ‘supports the practice of the arts, in whatever form or medium’, and recognises that ‘the practice of the arts confers aesthetic values with which to enhance society. In addition to the intrinsic value of the arts, there is also substantial and recognised value that the arts contribute to the

and community celebration. A vibrant arts sector can enhance the socio-economic achievement of a locality.’ The Arts Plan is also closely aligned to other relevant local policies including: The Roscommon County Council Local Economic and Community Plan 2016 – 2021 Roscommon Local Development Strategy 2014 - 2020 County Roscommon Age Friendly Strategy 2016 – 2020 County Roscommon Tourism Statement of Strategy and Work Programme 2017 – 2022 Culture and Creativity Plan 2017 - Creative Ireland Roscommon Invest Roscommon - Your Key to Business Success Creative Ireland Programme 2017 – 2022 Corporate Plan 2015 – 2019 8 ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 Achievements from ‘Arts for All’ Arts Plan 2013 – 2016 The previous Arts Plan “Arts for All” was written for a four year period in a challenging financial environment during which many uncertainties remained. In those challenging circumstances, the primary objective of Roscommon County Council was to maintain the quality of service that was being provided in the area of the arts. There were 6 Strategic Objectives contained in the plan with 100 actions.

The following are the main achievements from ‘Arts for All’ 2013 – 2016:

In 2015, the 'Bookworms Festival', Roscommon’s literary festival for children was launched and is going from strength to strength annually.

There were over 60 events held across the county celebrating Culture Night, which is held on one night annually over the past four years.

In 2015, the book 'From Ballaghaderreen to Drumboylan: 38 Men Talking' the preservation of the modern history of rural communities, was launched.

The Roscommon County Youth Theatre (RCYT) and Roscommon County Youth Orchestra (RCYO) continued to attract children and young people from throughout the county in which to perform and participate. Approx. 60 children play with the RCYO annually, while approx. 30 young people take part in the RCYT annually. Both orchestra and theatre have performed nationally. RCYT members have gone on to study acting, theatre studies, scenic art in theatre and film, journalism and media, film, music and more. RCYO members have gone on to study music and composition and more.

Roscommon County Youth Theatre 2016

The targeted investment in visual arts has delivered supports for artists at all stages of their career through commissions, residencies and exhibition opportunities. The Roscommon Visual Artists Forum, which has approx. 60 members, was established during 2015 following a specific need identified by artists. The self- managed forum offers networking opportunities as well as support through a professional development programme for artists. Roscommon Arts Centre developed a hot-desk with free wifi and free usage of the latest photo and video editing software packages including Photoshop, InDesign and Premiere for visual artists.

During the lifetime of the plan, 80 individual artist’s bursaries, and 10 bursaries to attend the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, were awarded to artists within the county. This enabled artists to develop and advance their careers by training, education and up-skilling, carry out research, develop new work for exhibition, publication or presentation. ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 9

Approx. 3,000 children have had the opportunity to work with an artist in primary school as part of the Artists in Schools Programme.

The unique Mary McAleese collection of gifts was secured from the OPW and is being exhibited in King House and in the new Civic Offices. The exhibition has increased the visitor numbers to King House.

In 2015, extensive lighting upgrades were carried out in the Roscommon Arts Centre and in 2016/2017, the auditorium ventilation and heating services were upgraded. Substantial funding was secured to carry out major refurbishments and renovations to the Roscommon Arts Centre in 2018 and 2019, which will make the venue more socially inclusive.

The Literary Development Programme has placed literary pursuits firmly on the map in County Roscommon over the past four years and has afforded writers and poets increased opportunities to create and publish work.The New Roscommon Writing Awards was created three years ago and has developed an excellent reputation. The first in the series of the Roscommon Literary Heritage Series was launched in 2014 with six booklets researched, written and in print to date. All are available free to the public. The Annual Douglas Hyde Conference is now in its twenty ninth year.

Between 2014 and 2016, many historical, heritage, music, literary and arts events were held in the Douglas Hyde Centre, Portahard affirming it as a cultural centre.

In 2016, the Arts and Disability Programme was launched in conjunction with Arts and Disability Ireland, which offered training to artists to work with people with disabilities; support for artists with a disability to hold exhibitions; theatre performances for patients in care settings; artists workshops in nursing homes for those with dementia and other activities.

Garry Hynes - Douglas Hyde Conference 2017 Branar Theatre Company – The Way Back Home- Bookworms Festival 2015

The striking Galloglass Warrior was built on the N5 in 2015/2016 as part of the Public Art Programme.

During 2016, the restaurant in the courtyard of King House was completely refurbished and re-decorated. During 2015 and 2016 two artist’s studios were developed in the courtyard of King House in Boyle. All of this was done with the strategic aim of growing the footfall to King House and its environs and indeed to Boyle itself.

Roscommon County Council began to champion and encourage amateur and voluntary arts practices in 2015. Approx. 12 amateur arts groups have been supported over the past 2 years to develop work, to hold exhibitions and to visit art galleries etc to inspire their work. 10 ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 SUPPORTING PRINCIPLES A set of supporting principles guides the work of the Arts Office of Roscommon County Council and informs all of its work. The principles are as follows:

Encourage and promote quality and standards of excellence

Ensure processes Support diversity of practice and practices in the within and across art forms allocation of public funds and support artists of all that demonstrate integrity, disciplines to make work accountability, transparency of excellence ROSCOMMON and value for money COUNTY

Develop and grow COUNCIL Ensure the inclusion of collaborations locally, people of all cultures, regionally, nationally ages, abilities and socio and internationally economic backgrounds

Increase access to, participation and engagement in, the arts

Background Image: Gallowglass Warrior ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 11 The four priorities of the Roscommon County Council Arts Plan 2017- 2021 are: THE ARTIST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Frances Crowe, Fibre Artist Public Drumming Workshop ARTS CHILDREN & INFRASTRUCTURE YOUNG PEOPLE

Roscommon Arts Centre Pure Designs 12 ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021

THE ARTIST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Art is a form of creative human expression, a way of Peoples engagement in the arts can be frequent, enriching the human experience and artists are the sporadic or, indeed, non existent. The factors at play conduit to making that happen. Art encourages people with those who do not engage at all can be perceptual to value intuition, uncertainty, and creativity and to barriers which are embedded at a cultural level; search constantly for new ideas. Artists aim to break individual attitudes, access and transport. For those rules, challenge commonly held views and perspectives who engage sporadically the reasons can be lack of and find unorthodox ways of approaching contemporary time; work, family commitments and costs. issues. Whatever the reasons, there is a responsibility to The arts and culture represent one of the few areas develop arts programmes and policies which are in our society where people can come together to informed by and based on accurate information and share an experience even if they see the world in data. For those who engage frequently in the arts, radically different ways. Artists can help boost the factors which attribute to this, such as enjoyment, economic activity by creating, thinking and innovating. interest, social reasons, supporting a family member and appreciation of a particular art form need to be an integral part of any arts programme.

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE ARTS INFRASTRUCTURE

Creating art is a fine way for children to make choices and Arts venues and facilities are a major determinant of arts solve problems. Every step involves making a decision: engagement. The existence of a well managed, accessible what color to use, how to make a line, what size to make arts venue can raise the level of opportunity to attend arts something. With every choice the object becomes more events, exhibitions and performances. and more their own. Everyone has an imagination. Art takes it a step further. Through art, children create Strategic and sustainable investment in the development something that, until that point, was only imagined. of arts infrastructure in the county is necessary to ensure Thus, they create visual manifestations of abstract ideas. that the public can enjoy a wide range of quality arts experiences both as audiences and participants. Exposure to the arts through drawing, painting, music, song, theatre or dance etc can help teens develop many positive skills and capacities such as persistence, confidence, collaboration, creative thinking, motivation and problem solving. Children and young people deserve to have equal access to, and participation in, the arts and it is the responsibility of all policy makers to ensure that they are afforded every opportunity to do so. ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 13 STRATEGIC GOALS The four Strategic Goals of the Roscommon County Council Arts Plan 2017- 2021

Increase opportunities for Support artists working in experience and participation all art forms at all stages of in the arts with awareness their career and in a wide of the rural nature and range of contexts to make demographics of the county, high-quality work 1 costs and acce2ss

Develop strategic Enrich the lives of children and sustainable and young people through investment in 4arts the arts 3

The Roscommon County Council Arts Plan 2017 – 2021 augments, complements, reinforces and builds on the success of the previous and other arts plans. The Strategic Goals will be transformed into annual work programmes for the lifetime of this plan. The aim will be to also link closely with, and deliver on, all arts related goals and objectives in national, regional and local policies. 14 ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021

The four Strategic Goals of the Roscommon County Council Arts Plan 2017- 2021 are: Priority One: Strategic Goal One Support artists working in all art forms at all stages of their career THE ARTIST {and in a wide range of contexts to make high-quality work. } 1There is a need to create an economically sustainable means of living for professional artists in County Roscommon. Professional artists play a central role in the establishment of a vibrant cultural environment and contribute to the long term development of the arts and culture in the county. The creation of quality work can have a positive impact on the local economy. There is also a need to support new and emerging artists of different disciplines and at different points in their career path. Artists need a supportive environment which support the key points in the creative cycle by which art is made. The role of amateur arts practice also needs to be valued and supported given its important contribution to the arts and to society as a whole.

Carnation Theatre in the Resource Centre, Derrane Siobhan Cox-Carlos Arts and Disability Week 2015

Priority Two: Strategic Goal Two Increase opportunities for experience and participation in the PUBLIC arts with awareness of the rural nature and demographics of { the county, costs and access. } 2 ENGAGEMENT The public is central to our vision for the arts. Roscommon County Council places a high value on development in the arts and sees the arts as fundamental towards creating vibrant and sustainable communities throughout the county. The Arts Plan of Roscommon County Council will respond to the unique needs and desires of the citizens of this rural county. But the plan will also challenge, stimulate and inspire with the introduction of those forms of art and culture which are new, different and often out of the ordinary. It will be important that the Arts Plan also recognizes the many diverse ways in which children and young people express themselves and interact with the arts. An inclusive and high quality plan, which addresses all of this, is fundamental as Roscommon County Council believes that the effect and impact are central to the quality of life of all of the people of the county. ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 15

Priority Three: Enrich the lives of children and young people CHILDREN AND { through the arts. } 3YOUNG PEOPLE Roscommon County Council will continue to promote access to the arts for children and young people so that they have the opportunity to experience high quality arts in a non formal setting as creators, participants, spectators and critics. Continued investment in artists and arts programmes delivering high quality arts projects and arts activities to children and young people, will be an integral part of any arts planning within Roscommon County Council. Successful programmes such as the Roscommon County Youth Theatre and the Roscommon County Youth Orchestra will be strengthened and developed as will the children’s literary programmes and the artists in schools programmes. New programmes, such as Music Generation projects and arts related activities will be introduced to ensure that programmes are current, innovative and contemporary.

Roscommon County Youth Theatre 2017 King House, Boyle

Priority Four: Strategic Goal Four ARTS {Develop strategic and sustainable investment } 4 INFRASTRUCTURE High quality infrastructure is critical for a vibrant arts sector, which in turn underpins social cohesion and supports sustainable economic growth. Good arts infrastructure plays a central role in public engagement with the arts and can also help to define a place as good to visit, invest in or live. Roscommon Arts Centre with its visual arts space, workshop space and 194 seat auditorium is the counties only purpose built arts facility. King House in Boyle has developed into a cultural centre with exhibition and performance space and the newly built Civic Offices provide a fine exhibition space for artists. The Douglas Hyde Interpretive Centre in Portahard is an ideal venue for historical and cultural events. 16 ARTS PLAN 2017 - 2021 APPENDIX ONE CONSULTATION

In preparation for the new Arts Plan, extensive desk which were highlighted through the submissions, research was carried out by reviewing existing national, more than any other were support for the artists, regional and local policies and plans and by reviewing the arts and children and young people, and current local policies and plans within Roscommon increasing public engagement with the arts. County Council. A part of this work was reviewing and Other priorities included improving the quality of evaluating the previous Arts Plan ‘Arts for All’ 2013 – life through the arts in the county and the arts as a 2016. There were six objectives in this plan which driver for economic development. Artists expressed focused on arts infrastructure; supports, information the need for more exhibition spaces, arts studios and advice for artists; promotion of the arts; visual and galleries in the county. All of these priorities arts; a comprehensive, inclusive and countywide arts and need will be addressed over the lifetime of programme; and the arts and children and young people. this plan.

The plan was prepared following consultation with * Music Generation will expand into nine new areas of artists and practitioners, arts organisations and Ireland within five years, thanks to the ongoing support interested members of the public. Consultations of U2 and The Ireland Funds who together will have were also held with the Public Participation Network raised a total of €6.3m for the programme’s second phase. (PPN), the three Municipal Districts of Boyle, This combined investment in ‘Phase 2’ of Music Generation Roscommon and Athlone, the Economic Development will include donations from the proceeds of U2’s The Joshua & Enterprise Support (inc. Roads & Culture) Strategic Tree Tour 2017, as well as donations previously raised Policy Committee and the relevant arts fora and for Music Generation through the band’s iNNOCENCE + networks. The consultation process was advertised eXPERIENCE Tour in 2015, alongside further philanthropic on Roscommon County Council’s website and via investment by The Ireland Funds. A grant from Bank Roscommon Arts Office mailing lists and databases. of America, through the Bank of America Charitable A Creative Ireland public consultation in relation Foundation, forms part of The Ireland Funds’ investment to the arts and culture also helps inform the Arts in this second phase of Music Generation. Moreover, this Plan. next phase of Music Generation has been assured of long-term sustainability through a commitment by the During the development of the plan, consultations Department of Education and Skills to co-fund the new were held throughout the county and in schools in areas into the future, together with Local Music Education relation to the extent and quality of music provision Partnerships. Following an open national call for applications and education for children and young people in the in 2017, the nine new areas selected for participation are: county. This was done as part of the county’s Cavan/Monaghan; Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; Galway City; application to Music Generation * for funding. Galway County; Kilkenny; Leitrim; Roscommon; Waterford and Wexford. County Roscommon will commence planning The consultation process confirmed that there is an at the end of 2018, with the goal to develop a range of active community of practicing artists of all disciplines affordable and accessible performance music programmes together with voluntary and amateur arts groups for children and young people age 0 to 18. engaged in creativity across the county. Priorities Roscommon Youth Orchestra, 2010

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