What we did in 2006
‘Making Inroads: An Arts Development Plan for Kildare County Council 2006- 2011’ was adopted by Council in October 2006.
The plan outlined strategic objectives for key development areas including Arts in Health, Youth Arts, Arts in Education, Public Art, Social Inclusion and in specific art forms - Visual Arts, Theatre, Film, Dance, Architecture, Music and Literature.
The implementation of the Per Cent for Art was a key part of the 2006 programme, with 13 commissions awarded for housing schemes countywide, including permanent art works and a portrait series.
Julian Boal, Theatre of the Oppressed trainer facilitated a weeklong workshop series, for artists and community workers, examining social issues, through forum theatre.
Temporary Foray, a critical debate arts lecture series was established in early 2006, and was complemented by an autumn Artists Symposium which took place in Whites Castle, Athy.
Renowned musician Frankie Lane was commissioned by Council to work with a group of traditional musicians from the County to produce a quality recording of traditional music. The cd ‘Ceol Galore’ was launched in Riverbank.
The Laban Guild Community Dance Leaders course continued and a new dance programme, exploring dance with disability was established, in association with Moore Abbey Services.
Graduates of the second Certificate in Community Arts for Community Development course, co-ordinated by the Arts Service were awarded certificates by Dr Anne Ryan, NUI, Maynooth in November.
Meanwhile, Riverbank Arts Centre embarked on a series of partnership projects. An open submission, group exhibition ‘Blank Canvas’, took place in Riverbank and in Whitewater Shopping Centre, to extend the audience for visual arts. Also supporting the arts outside the walls of the centre, the acclaimed Dublin Gospel Choir with special guests performed in St Conleth’s Church, Newbridge.
