Image shown: Artist Andy Parsons and Maisie

Image shown: Artist Andy Parsons and Maisie

This week the government announced that the work of the Creative Ireland Programme, an all-of-government culture and wellbeing initiative, will continue for a further five years. Since 2017 the programme has supported over 5,000 creative projects, committed to the vision that everyone should have the chance to realise their creative potential to the full. 

Established as a legacy initiative of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, the Creative Ireland Programme is the only one of its kind in the world.

At the core of the programme is the founding vision that creativity must be at the very heart of public policy and that participation in cultural and creative activity effectively promotes the wellbeing of the individual, the community and the nation at large.

Collaborating across government and in tandem with arts, community and voluntary organisations, the Creative Ireland Programme deploys creativity as a vital strategy for wellbeing, social cohesion and economic success.

Set to continue for a further five years, encompassing the period 2023-2027, the Creative Ireland Programme will focus on the following areas:

  • Creative Youth
  • Creative Communities
  • Creative Industries
  • Creative Health and Wellbeing
  • Creative Climate Action and Sustainability

In 2021, Creative Ireland invested €1.35 million in creative health and wellbeing projects, including initiatives that supported some of the most vulnerable members of our society during COVID-19. An estimated 5,475 individuals involved in the creative sector received funding through the Creative Ireland Programme during the same period. Further information on recent work and initiatives can be found in the 2021 A Creative Opportunity Progress Report.

The programme’s Creative Communities partnership with 31 local authorities – delivering more than 5,700 creative projects to date – has been central to enabling community-led nationwide engagement. Funding of €6.6 million has been announced for the 2022 Creative Communities initiative, including opportunities for older people to participate in creative activities via the Creativity in Older Age programme.

For a full overview of the Creative Ireland Programme visit
www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/

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