Arts Department
Ayman Scuffins and Lorraine Murray at the opening of their exhibition in Mallow Library
Service Overview
Cork County Council is committed to the support and development of the arts for the benefit of all within its administrative area. The Council believes that the arts are an integral constituent of social well-being and in consequence endeavours to facilitate the improvement of arts provision within the country.
Through various measures, including grant support schemes, programming policy and capital supports, Cork County Council aims to assist those locally based arts organisations to build capacity, develop audience and support community participation in the arts.
In addition, the Council provides resources and programmes targeted at youth, special needs and older people. In terms of its support to the professional artist, Cork County Council operates an active commissioning policy and provides direct assistance in the form of bursary, and residency schemes.
The Arts in Libraries
The Arts in Libraries programme is a well-established part of the Library Service. In addition to major programmes run throughout the year, there are regular events organised in many branches such as story telling, book clubs, writers' groups, as well as art and music groups. See below for a list of Festivals and programmes running in Cork County libraries throughout the year.
West Cork Literary Festival
The West Cork Literary Festival takes place every July in Bantry. The Festival is well-established in the town and offers a range of readings and workshops given by visiting writers. Public readings take place in Bantry Library during the week for the Festival. For more information about this year's programme go to www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie
St. Brigid's Festival
This festival focuses on local craft traditions associated with this important Irish saint. Several libraries offer classes in traditional cross-making and host storytelling sessions.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
De ghnáth, thosaíonn Seachtain na Gaeilge dhá Seachtain roimh Lá Fhéile Phádraig. Is í aidhm na féile ná an Ghaeilge agus cultúr na hÉireann a neartú agus a spregadh go náisiúnta agus go hidirnáisiúnta trí go leor imeachtaí éagsúla.
Bealtaine
This festival is a celebration of creativity in older people and is held annually during the month of May.
The Summer Arts Programme
The Summer Arts Programme brings workshops and reading challenges to encourage young people to read during the summer holidays.
The Children's Book Festival
Every October we celebrate the Children's Book Festival with a series of workshops, author visits and competitions.
