Creative Ireland Wexford are delighted to announce that six community-focused grants have been awarded through the Community Creativity Challenge Fund, an award that enables communities to develop ideas using creativity for social enhancement. This year’s themes were:
1. Inclusion and Welcome
2. Making Connections
3. Climate Action and Adaption
4. Supporting the Development of the Irish Language
A total of €41,000 was awarded to the following projects:
• Spoken Word Project with Stephen James Smith – Spoken Word artist Stephen James Smith with Calmast, the STEM engagement Centre in South Technological University, will coordinate a project tailored for TY students from Sesklar College and the Presentation Schools in Wexford Town designed to encourage an exploration of their connections with climate change and their sense of place;
• Earthly Kaleidoscope – Enniscorthy Community Allotments will works with artist Helen McLean to design and develop a mosaic floor for the newly built dome structure at the allotments. The space will become a cultural and creative hub for the allotments to use;
• Environment Enhancement Project – Working collaboratively, with the Mayglass Mens’ Shed, the Ukrainian Community Kilmore, Kilmore Scouts, and other groups who using the Tomhaggard Community Centre, Tomhaggard Women’s Shed will work with artist Helen McLean to develop and beautify an outdoor space attached to the Centre. Using murals, mosaic and planting, the space will be transformed into an important space for the community;
• What’s In My Bag? – Templshannon Community and Childcare Centre Enniscorthy will work with a group of Ukrainian women and others seeking International Protection to examine the stories behind significant items found in their handbags on arrival in Ireland. A crafting project, the group will develop new bags through sewing and stitching, and develop an exhibition to contextualise the bags and the stories that have come through the project;