The approach is inclusive and diverse and rooted in socially engaged practice and community development principles. It builds on existing cultural strengths, is led by community participation and ideas, and supported by artists.
Following the launch of the Creative Places pilot in Tuam in 2020, the Arts Council has expanded the programme to include other new Creative Places such as Athy (Kildare), Bagenalstown (Carlow), Darndale, (North Dublin), Edenderry (Offaly) Tipperary Town and the West Cork Islands.
Baltinglass and the surrounding area has a growing population of over 2,137 people. Past town plans identified perceived isolation, lack of services, dereliction, and reduced local employment opportunities as key challenges for the town. Significant change is now on the horizon to regenerate Baltinglass with a multi-million euro main street redevelopment planned alongside the expansion of the Library and Courthouse in the centre of the town.
Creative Places Baltinglass aims to provide a wide range of arts and creative experiences underpinned by the principles of socially engaged arts practice and community development. The overarching ambition is to enliven the town as a place of social creativity by working with community groups, families and children, to facilitate imaginative engagement opportunities and enhance local arts practice and capacity toward a sustainable future.
Jenny Sherwin is Wicklow County Council' Arts Officer and has over two decades experience in arts management, research, strategic development and community engagement. Jenny is also the Creative Ireland and Decade of Centenaries Coordinator for Wicklow County Council. She is on the Board of Music Network and Mermaid Arts Centre and played a pivotal role in establishing Music Generation Wicklow. Her previous roles were in education and community arts in county Louth and Meath.
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Monika Sapielak is the Creative Places Baltinglass Arts Service Coordinator with Wicklow County Council’s Arts Office. An award-winningArtistic Director, Curator, Project Manager, Producer and Mentor with 25 years’experience in the Arts, Monika’s practice is dedicated to developing andpresenting artistic programmes that are inclusive and socially engaged.
Want to find out more and get involved in Creative Places Baltinglass? Fill in the form below and a member of the team will be in touch.
