Programme
Mayo Youth Theatre
Established in 1999, Mayo Youth Theatre has grown considerably and is now based in Ballina. Through the promotion and support of quality youth theatre, emphasising personal and social development, MYT provides access to drama for those aged 14 - 20. There are now over twenty members. In order to develop the skills-pool within the county, MYT has a policy of providing training for trainers. Opportunities for learning are maximised by linking with other youth theatres, through travel and annual productions.
Music Instruments for Primary Schools
A highly innovative scheme was launched in 2002 by Mayo County Council Arts Office in association with the Mayo Education Centre. Seven sets of percussion instruments were secured through the hard work of the Mayo Music Development Association, initiated by Mary Curran as part of her residency with Mayo County Council. The instruments, suitable for children of any age up to 13, were acquired through funding provided by the Arts Council. The Mayo Education Centre is the key lending agency for the instruments, retaining five sets for direct use in primary schools throughout the county, enabling the schools to borrow the instruments for a school term. The remaining two sets are available through the County Arts Office for use in community and outreach workshops.
Percussion Instruments for Post Primary Schools
The Mayo Education Centre, Castlebar, in partnership with Mayo County Council's Arts Office, launched Music Instruments for Post Primary Schools in 2004.
The instruments were purchased by Mayo County Council Arts Office in order to augment the music resources available to young people within the County. Each set comprises of 32 percussion instruments, including drums, shakers, tambourines, snares and bells. Three sets were purchased in total.
The Mayo Education Centre will be the key lending agency for the instruments and will retain two percussion sets for direct use in post-primary schools throughout the county, enabling schools to borrow the instruments for up to four months.
The remaining set is available through Mayo County Council Arts for use in community and outreach workshops.
Mayo County Council Collection
Mayo County Council augments its Collection with new acquisitions on an annual basis. The collection is catalogued annually.
Schools Exhibition Programme
The School Exhibition Loan Scheme allows a school to borrow a number of paintings from the Mayo County Council Collection for a school term. There are two exhibitions available, both of which have been collated especially for use in primary schools. Specially designed teacher and student packs accompany the exhibition.
Annual Programme
A number of annual events / festivals have been developed and organised by the Arts Office :
Bealtaine
Bealtaine is the annual nationwide festival is celebrating creativity as we age. Mayo County Council runs an extensive, interactive programme. The programme is county wide with up to 800 older people participating in workshops and events in libraries, community centres, arts centres and care settings. The arts office works with Active Retirement Associations and other organisations for older people. All art forms are covered: dance, drama, story telling, creative writing and music.
Mayo County Council Writer in Residence
Mayo County Council Arts Service has proactively initiated and managed successful artist in residence programmes over the years. The writer in residence programme has been especially effective and has included writers such as Dermot Healy, Michael Gorman, Val Mulkearns, Richard Murphy, Neill Donnelly, Ré O’Laighlais, Máire Holmes, Paddy Bushe, John Breen, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill & Biddy Jenkinson. Since 2001 this has been a bi-lingual residency so that the writer can work in Gaeltacht areas of the county.
The Writer in residence programme usually takes place in May/June and in the past has ranged from a month to an intensive two week programme. The work takes place throughout the county and consists of:
- Working with writers groups in Mayo giving a series of workshops/ readings.
- Working with primary and secondary schools where appropriate
- Working with other groups who would benefit from the residency (e.g. Mayo Youth Theatre, Irish language students)
Summer Music Series
A series of county wide music events is organised in July which includes all kinds of music : folk, rock, traditional, classical. Hundreds of local people attend events which to date have been held in Westport, Castlebar, Kiltimagh, Foxford, Louisburgh, Ballina, Belmullet, Tourmakeady, Killala, Ballyhaunis and Charlestown.
Culture Night
On Culture Night, key artistic and cultural organisations in participating towns, cities and counties extend their opening hours to provide the public with increased free access to the various collections, workshops and other events hosted by cultural organisations.
Culture Night is an opportunity for our county to celebrate its unique cultural identity and Mayo has been involved in the initiative since 2009. Since then the number of participants has steadily grown and last year 25 cultural organisations and groups were involved in the event in Mayo.
All Ireland Poetry Day
All-Ireland Poetry Day takes place on the first Thursday of every year. Mayo County Council Arts Office in partnership with Mayo County Library and Oifig na Gaeilge programme poetry events annually to coincide with the day. These events include poetry readings and poetry workshops.
Excel Youth Arts Programme
Mayo County Council’s EXCEL Youth Arts Programme is a developmental programme of arts events for teenagers and young adults across the county. With a focus on supporting and developing skills of young people with specific arts interests. During the annual EXCEL programme, the Arts Office works directly with a number of groups, including Mayo Youth Orchestra, Cantóraí Umhaill, Mayo Youth Theatre and Achill Pipe Bands among others, providing specialist workshops and masterclasses to support the work of these groups. The programme offers challenging opportunities and fun in equal measure.
As well as the workshops and direct Masterclasses with existing groups, there are also a number of ‘open’ events.
Festivals
The Arts Service supports several festivals throughout Mayo. Examples include: Feile Iorrais, Ballina Street Festival, Westport Arts Festival, Scoil Acla, Ceol na Locha and Feile Chois Cuain.
The Arts Office
Mayo County Council
Áras an Chontae
Castlebar
Mayo
Phone: 094)902 44 44
Arts Office: 7558, 7471
Public Art Coordinator: 7561
Disability Arts Coordinator: 7551
Email: mayoarts@mayococo.ie
Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
and 2:00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.