Arts & Culture: What We Do

Information and Communications

• Advisory Service
• Arts Programming
• Promotion
• Funding and Supports - Artists and Groups
• Community Arts
• Developmental Role for Arts Sector
• Mayo County Council Collection
• Policy-making and Planning
• Partnerships in arts-related initiatives
• Networking in arts-related initiatives
• Networking

Information and Communications

A regular flow of information on the arts in Mayo is disseminated by the Arts Service through a variety of media and information channels, including local newspapers, regional magazines, touring exhibitions, festival promotions, special publications generated by the Arts Office, direct mailing and event notices.

The Arts Service actively facilitates interaction and communication between artists, arts organisations, audiences for the arts, the public, community groups and public bodies.

Arts Advisory Service

The Arts Advisory Service is availed of by over 200 amateur groups, arts organisations and community groups who regularly seek advice about arts events and sources of funding for their projects and programmes. The Arts office advises on Arts Acts Grants which are available to any community or group wishing to organise their own arts-based event or activity. These grants are administered through the County Secretary's Office.

Developmental Role

In order to address identified sectoral needs the Arts Office initiates responsive developments. Examples of this kind of provision are:
Careers in Music seminar in Castlebar in 2001, which provided information to people interested in pursuing a career in the music industry as musicians, music journalists, music publicists or broadcasters and in other related areas. It also featured a showcase for original local talent, which had a capacity audience.

Community Arts

Community Arts serves to reach people who may have no history of artistic involvement, belief in their own creative ability, or access to arts activities. Community arts can strengthen group identity and the development of community spirit. It can also empower marginalised groups where people feel disenfranchised and isolated.

Mayo Artsquad

Established in 1997 with FAS support, Mayo County Council's Arts Squad has continued to provide excellent training in community arts skills for fifteen participants annually. The participants on Arts Squad come from a wide variety of backgrounds and work with groups from all communities, providing workshops, training and street theatre. The Arts Squad work extensively with festivals throughout the county including Kiltimagh, Ballindine and Ballina among others.

Community Arts and Workshops

The Arts Office organises and funds workshops covering a range of art forms, in a variety of settings, with groups of all ages. Where possible the Arts Office works in partnership with communities and groups to satisfy particular needs for training , expertise, etc. These groups range from teenagers, older people and people with disabilities.

Masterclasses

The Arts Office organises and funds masterclasses for groups who wish to access the expertise of a professional artist and where this type of training is integral to their development. Examples of such provision are workshops for local brass bands, pipe bands and dance training.

Partnership Funding

The Arts Office provides annual revenue funding to a number of partnership organisations:

• Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar
• The Heinrich Boll Cottage, Achill
• Custom House Studios, Westport
• Ballina Arts Events, Ballina
• Yew Tree Theatre Company, Ballina
• File Iorrais Folk Arts Festival, Erris
• Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Ballycastle

Capital Developments

Through the upgrading of existing facilities, Arts provision across a broad geographical spread is planned, so that people throughout Mayo can avail of the growing opportunities in this area. Providing a much-needed forum for touring and local professional arts, new facilities in Ballina and Belmullet will compliment existing venues in Castlebar, Westport, Kiltimagh, Ballinglen, Foxford and Balla. Furthermore, where possible, flexible spaces in which arts can be programmed and developed will be supported. At present there are several such spaces being considered for development - in Charlestown, Ballyhaunis and Ballinrobe.

Arts Policymaking and Planning

The developmental needs of the arts in Mayo are monitored and assessed on an ongoing basis by the Arts Service. The County Arts Plan sets out priorities and relevant actions, for the continuing development of the arts in Mayo in the years 2003 - 2006. The Arts Plan complements the 10 year County Development Strategy of the County Development Board, which sets out the framework for the integrated social, cultural and economic development of Mayo.