It's now possible to see the Artlands, South Tipperary Rural Arts Group and Voluntary Arts Ireland joint presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht on the 27^th March which was considering 'Utilising the Arts to combat disadvantage' at the following Oireachtas web-site link (our presentation starts after 5 minutes approximately):

http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=20788&&CatID=127

The transcript of the proceedings is available here:

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/TRJ/2012/03/27/00005.asp

This committee met over five weeks with various groups, arts officers, etc to discuss the issue and will subsequently make a submission to the relevant Departments on the issues raised.

Thanks to everyone who made submissions from around the country.

Artlands is delighted to announce that the Inspiring Trad Community Tour 2012 which is funded by the Arts Council will visit 6 counties in April, 2012. Renowned West Kerry accordion player and singer Seamus Begley will be joined by the BBC Radio 2 FolK Awards Musician of the Yer 2012, Tim Edey for 6 nights of  music to raise the spirits and soothe the soul! Starting in Cloverfield in Co. Limerick on Tuesday, 17th April, the tour will tavel on subsequent nights to Burncourt in Co. Tipperary, Rahanna in Co. Carlow, Ballickmoyler in Co. Laois, Baltinglass in co. wicklow and Milltown in Co. Westmeath on Sunday, April 22nd. All the events are hosted by local voluntary promoters and it should ot be missed.

Artlands is currently delivering it's exciting 'Inspiring Communities' programme in Arklow with the support of the Community Education Service of Co. Wicklow VEC and the Arts Office of Wicklow County Council. Already the participants have identified a range of events which they plan to organise in their local communities.

Ballyhoura in Co. Limerick is the location for a Parades and Festivals Project with t he support of Ballyhoura Development Ltd. which seeks to assist local communities to access training which would enhance events and parades in the region and encourage them to support each other in their efforts.

While in Westmeath, a Festival and Event Training initiative which was supported by Westmeath Community Development is coming to an end. The most recent group to be worked with, in Kilbeggan has committed to organising a really worthwhile community festival on the June Bank Holiday weekend whilst other groups have organised various community based events.

And Artlands has been invited to make a presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht on the 27^th March which are considering the following: 

‘Utilising the Arts to combat disadvantage, among the young, the old, and the socially disadvantaged and to encourage their greater integration and social inclusion within local communities’

We'll be joined on the day by two  members of South Tipperary Rural Arts group and Kevin Murphy, Chief Officer with Voluntary Arts Ireland

I want to hear from the following:

Voluntary promotors and individuals and communities interested in promoting arts events and discuss what your needs are and explore how we can help.

Artists who are interested in performing in or working with local communities so that I can share this information with local communities or look at potential joint projects we can work on.

Arts Administrators, policy makers and funders who wish to encourage and support arts activities in local and rural communities to discuss how we can help to bring this about.

I'm currently developing project proposals to develop new arts networks and also alternative methods of working with communities which I hope to deliver in the coming months.

You can e-mail me directly at info@artlands.ie with your ideas or post your comments.