Inclusivity and Ambition A Strategy for Cavan Arts 2018 - 2023 Coverimage: DeValera’sRallyMontana1919byAmandaJaneGraham, Aquatint,HardandSoftGroundEtchingsandDrawing Collage,240x70cm,2009. Inclusivity andAmbition AStrategyforCavanArts2018-2023 Cavan County Council’sArts Strategy is a framework for the continuing sustainable development of theArts locally for the period 2018-2023. This strategy has been prepared following extensive consultation with local communities, key stakeholders and the county’s arts sector; a process that began in September 2016. TheArts Strategy 2018-2023 was duly adopted by the elected members of the Council and the Strategic Policy Committee in December 2017. TheArtsAct 2003 defines the arts as: ‘any creative or interpretative expression (whether traditional or contemporary) in whatever form, and includes, in particular, visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus and architecture, and includes any medium when used for those purposes.’ -ArtsAct2003,ActsoftheOireachtas(Dublin:StationeryOffice) UncommonWealth writtenbyArtistJohn Byrne,scoredby ComposerElaine Agnew.Performed bytheCountyChoir, Cavan.Conducted byBlanaidMurphy atFermanagh CountyMuseum 2015. 1 Prometheus Bound, apost-apocalyptic operettabyPhilipDoherty andRobbiePerry, ‘FestivaloftheDead’, TownhallCavan, October2017. Photocredit: LorraineTeevan Inclusivity andAmbition AStrategyforCavanArts2018-2023 Contents Message from the Cathaoirleach & Foreword 4 Introduction 7 The Context 9 The Role andActivities of theArts Office 14 Mission, Vision and Values 21 Towards a Vision for Inclusivity andAmbition 23 Strategic Priorities Artistic Priorities 24 Diversity 30 Audience Development 35 Arts Infrastructure 39 Implementation and Evaluation 46 Conclusion 48 Case Studies Case Study I Windows Publications: ‘The Business of Encouragement’ 50 Case Study II Livin’Dred and Ramor Theatre 51 Case Study III NYAH: ‘Not YourAverage Hooley!’ 53 Case Study IV The Gonzo Theatre and Trans-art 55 Case Study V ‘The Souvenir Shop’by Rita Duffy 56 Case Study VI ‘In the Current’by Yvonne Cullivan 58 Case Study VII KonikAnimation Studios:Arts and Creative Industry 59 Case Study VIII Cois Tine Soundscapes 61 Appendices Appendix I Partnerships 64 Appendix II Consultation FindingsArts and Culture 66 Appendix III Summary of Key Policies 67 3 Inclusivity andAmbition AStrategyforCavanArts2018-2023 Message from the Cathaoirleach My fellow elected representatives and I are very aware of the need to keep arts and culture high on our agenda for the benefit of the artists who are essential to our artistic vibrancy and for the entire community. Cavan County CouncilArts Office has created, championed and sustained meaningful arts experience for audiences, collaborating with artists, the arts community and a wide range of stakeholders since its inception in 1989. Under the guidance of Director of Services Eoin Doyle, theArts Office adopts a strategic and collaborative approach to support artistic endeavours, engages diverse audiences and participants, and maximises our resources. This strategy for the arts is ambitious and, as far as resources will allow, Cavan County Council will fulfil the actions identified for the arts to prosper. In my role as Cathaoirleach I have first hand experience of the importance of the arts to the lives of the people of County Cavan. We continue to work hard at a county level to keep this work alive, encouraging the development of a society that is innovative and competitive. Paddy McDonald This strategy aims to support and sustain the ongoing development of the arts, engage diverse audiences and participants, and maximise resources. Cathaoirleach Comhairle The consultation process, facilitated by Maeve McCormack, included online Contae an Chabháin surveys, stakeholder and public forums. I acknowledge the work ofArts Office staff in researching and writing this plan: PEACE IV YouthArts Facilitator Kim Doherty, Clerical Officer Santina Burns, PublicArt Manager Rhonda Tidy, andArts Officer Catriona O Reilly. I encourage the citizens of Cavan to continue working together to champion the very best of our arts and cultural offerings no matter how big or small. 4 Inclusivity andAmbition AStrategyforCavanArts2018-2023 Foreword Historically, community and economic planning utilised art and culture as a tool for community revitalisation. Today the importance of art and culture to other social, economic, and environmental aspects of community life is more fully understood. Our cultural team representing CavanArts, the Library Service, County Museum, Heritage Office, Ramor Theatre, Community and Enterprise, Communications and Tourism have worked together successfully on local, regional and national initiatives for many years with the support of theArea Offices and key stakeholders in both private and public teams. I wish to acknowledge the work and support of the Elected Members of Cavan County Council for their ongoing commitment to the arts and their support of the work of theArts Office and the wider arts community. Their ongoing commitment has raised the profile of CavanArts. The Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) 2016 - 2021 provides a framework for key initiatives in the arts including opportunities and supports for artists, strategic partnerships, community engagement and infrastructure. On a national level, Culture 2025 is the first framework policy to embrace the entire Culture Team. Through Culture Tommy Ryan 2025 the Government seeks to nurture creativity, boost citizen participation, help more people to follow a sustainable career in the cultural sector, promote Chief Executive Ireland’s cultural wealth and ensure the cultural contribution to wider social and economic goals. In 2016, the County and City ManagementAssociation drew up a Framework Agreement with TheArts Council. ThisAgreement marks the 30-year strategic relationship between theArts Council and local authorities and it sets out a vision and broad goals for what we can achieve together over the next ten years. The relationship of theArts Council and local authorities is immensely valuable to arts development. OurArts Strategy 2018 - 2023 acknowledges the need to be more outward-facing, inclusive, ambitious and collaborative in our efforts to sustain and continue to grow the arts and culture across the county, and to develop strategies that involve key players in this arena both within and beyond the county boundaries. I urge every citizen to embrace the central tenets of this plan, those of inclusivity and ambition, its values, guiding principles and strategic objectives. 5 Inclusivity andAmbition AStrategyforCavanArts2018-2023 PledgeoftheMetalmenbyBarryLinnanewithformerindustry workersatthelaunchofthe‘BuildingPeacethroughtheArts’ 2016inBailieboroughwithMinisterHeatherHumphreysand CathaoirleachPaddySmith. 6 Inclusivity andAmbition AStrategyforCavanArts2018-2023 Introduction Since the establishment of Cavan County CouncilArts Office in 1989, it has fostered a distinct approach to the development of the arts. In the unique context of the Irish Border there has been a gradual ‘unlocking’of the potential of the arts in Cavan, in its diversification, impact and popularity. This diversification and proliferation of the arts reflect the ongoing work of theArts Office together with artists, their publics, as well as the involvement of a wide range of partners and stakeholders. Involvement in the arts is strong; demand for cultural services is growing; the grassroots movement in the arts has brought about a proliferation of writing, visual, performance art, multidisciplinary practice and collaboration. The international success of artists in Cavan is growing, particularly in music, film, visual art and, more recently, animation. The challenges ahead include the balancing of grassroots movements with increased critical awareness and ongoing professional development in the arts in Cavan. TheArts Office continuously strives to support all facets of the arts and to instil a culture of participation, learning and critical thinking in relation to arts development. The Case Studies in this document were selected from the plethora of arts activity in the county on the basis that they represent a combination of successful approaches to arts development within a Cavan, national and international context. They offer further insights into the work of theArts Office and demonstrate the necessity to place the artist at the heart of arts development. Two key themes arising from the research and consultation process are those of tradition and innovation. Where tradition in a Cavan context reflects an inclusive approach to the arts, a strong desire for innovation reflects the highly ambitious nature of our artists and artistic communities. These key themes allude to future potential in the arts and form the overarching principles of this strategy: ‘Inclusivity andAmbition’. Here, we set out ourArts Strategy and the key areas that we will focus on for the next five year period. Through the leadership of Cavan County Council, working closely with our colleagues and elected members, we will work with artists, audiences, partners, funding bodies and other key stakeholders to deliver on future successes. 7 Inclusivity andAmbition AStrategyforCavanArts2018-2023 "It's clear that Government now recognises and embraces the power of Irish creativity and culture, whether in the arts and humanities or in innovation and invention in the sciences and technology". "This is a smart strategic shift. Putting arts and creativity at the centre makes sense because one of our strongest assets is our ability to produce talent." -PhilipKing‘OtherVoices’,SundayIndependent,Jan2017 I ‘Dancingatthe Crossroads’ 2015 byRitaDuffy.Oilon linen,60x45cm.A workinanticipation oftheCentenary celebrationsof 2016.Mainfigures L-R:Padraig Pearce,theartists mother,theartists father.Image courtesyoftheartist 8