Arts Programming
Residency Programme
The Artist in Residence Scheme has been used to enable artists, writers, musicians, dancers and drama workers to work directly with people in schools, hospitals (and other healthcare settings ) and local communities. This offers an opportunity for interaction outside of the usual artistic setting, facilitating integration and learning.
Visual Arts
In addition to providing support for exhibitions, the Arts Office organises a number of exhibitions annually, usually to promote work originating from residencies and specific initiatives.
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 fifty 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.
Art in Education Programme
The Arts Office conducted extensive research in 2001 to identify issues related to the provision of arts in schools and among teachers. A series of workshops, for over 47 schools was delivered in 2001. In 2002, the Arts Office co-funded six week programmes of arts workshops with 10 schools as a further development of its work with schools. In partnership with the Mayo Education Centre, this provision was augmented by a series of experiential arts workshops for teachers, in which over 40 teachers participated. The Arts Office funds twenty six-week projects in Mayo schools annually.
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 and the Linenhall Arts Centre 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 on Thursday 14th October 2004, in the Mayo Education Centre.
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.
Annual Programme
A number of annual events / festivals have been developed and organised by the Arts Office :
Force 12 Writers Weekend
Force 12, is held in Belmullet in June, and attended by over 80 writers from groups throughout the country. The weekend features workshops and readings by both published and unpublished writers, local tours and music.
A writer in residence programme has been developed for Force 12 where a bilingual writer works in the region for five weeks before the festival, giving workshops and readings in schools, libraries and care settings. Past directors include: Jessie Lendennie, Chris Agee, John F.Deane, Kate Newman and Vincent Woods.
Bealtaine
Bealtaine is the annual nationwide festival is celebrating creativity in older 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 Association groups and other organisations for older people. All art forms are covered: dance, drama, story telling, creative writing and music.
Artists Mentoring & Networking Programme
This programme was initiated by Mayo County Council in partnership with Age & Opportunity and is supported by the Arts Council and The Health Service Executive Western Area ( formerly The Western Health Board). The mentoring programme provides supported opportunities for artists to experience working with older people in health-care settings. It also provides a network for these artists so they can share ideas, experiences and learning.
Since February 2004, artists Margaret Morrison, Irma Van Baalen, Bernie Garvey O'Mara, Tom Meskell and Breda Murphy, have been working in Achill, Westport, Ballina, Swinford and Claremorris, in a range of settings, including long-term care and day care.
Artist coordinator, Deirdre Walsh has been the mentor in the programme, providing artistic and practical supports arising from her extensive experience in this area.
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.
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, Sonas Childrens Festival, Westport Arts Festival, Scoil Acla and Feile Chois Cuain.
The Arts Office
Mayo County Council
Áras an Chontae
Castlebar
Phone: (094)902 44 44 ext. 7558, 7560,7471
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.