The Arts Council has published an independent report Seeding Arts Investment in People and Places (2020–2024) on the impact of its Creative Places flagship programme, five years since its establishment.
Creative Places, started 2020, invests in people and places around Ireland that have not previously benefited from sustained investment in the arts. To date 125,000 people have been reached and €5 million invested in 19 communities including Shannon in Clare as a result of this programme.
The report shows that in towns and neighbourhoods where opportunities to experience the arts have often been few, the Arts Council’s Creative Places programme is helping to spark something powerful. Streets are filling with colour, empty spaces are becoming gathering points, and local voices are finding new ways to be heard. Through shared creativity, communities are building confidence, local pride, and connection—proving that art can transform not only places, but the people who call them home.
Five years into the programme, the independent report, Seeding Arts Investment in People and Places (2020–2024) shows that Creative Places investment is:
- Supporting artists to make a living where they live
- Creating confident, creative, and connected communities
- Challenging negative perceptions of places and generating local pride
Creative Places range from city suburbs to rural towns, border villages, and island communities, and include:
Athy (Kildare), Bagenalstown (Carlow), Ballaghaderreen (Roscommon), Baltinglass (Wicklow), Balbriggan (Fingal), Ballyconnell (Cavan), Darndale (Dublin), Edenderry (Offaly), Edgeworthstown (Longford), Enniscorthy (Wexford), Iveragh Peninsula (Kerry), Kilfinane (Limerick), Knocknaheeny (Cork City), Loughlinstown (Dublin), MacUíllíam (Tallaght), Shannon (Clare), Tipperary Town, Tuam (Galway), and the West Cork Islands.
Maura McGrath, Arts Council Chair, said: “It is vitally important to us that, no matter who you are or where you live, everyone has the right to enjoy and take part in excellent arts activities and events. This is also about achieving greater fairness and equality in how our resources are distributed. We look forward to continuing to support the long-term investment in these places and to celebrating their achievements.”
Each Creative Place is led by a local group of organisations who engage a coordinator to respond to what matters locally, connecting artists with groups to bring community ideas to life. Activities range from artist residencies and commissions to festivals, public performances, and workshops.