PRESS RELEASE
For immediate use
26 July 2005
Strabane and Donegal Councils
launch innovative
arts and heritage project
Tuesday 26 July 2005 at 12.30pm
Over 20 local museums, heritage centres and arts organisations in Donegal are set to benefit from a new innovative cross border arts and heritage project. In the region of £177,000stg has been secured from Measure 5.2 of the Peace II Programme in a joint bid by Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council.
This project has a number of elements and involves people from Donegal County Council working alongside people from Strabane District Council and actively engaging in developing arts and heritage in the border region through training for museum and art staff from both the community and public sector; the purchase and installation of brand new sound and multimedia equipment; specially commissioned research into best practice in cross border public sector working in the arts; and, cross border heritage and museum displays.
Speaking at the launch, Ms. Harriet Purkis, the newly appointed co-ordinator for the project stated that “this is an exciting and innovative project. It involves the sharing of experience and lessons learned from previous cross border activities and the new research that has been commissioned as part of this project will result in a production of a practical guide that will set out best practice in developing arts and heritage on a cross border basis”.
She added that “it also includes training for staff in museums, heritage centres and arts organisations. This will be particularly relevant for Co. Donegal given that there are over 20 such organisations operating in the county and many are community led. Training will include the development of skills such as marketing, customer care, conservation and documentation techniques”.
This project has a particular focus on young people in both Donegal and Strabane. New sound and multi-media equipment will be purchased with a view to encouraging young people in the 18 to 25 year age group to develop their skills in this sector in conjunction with their peers across the border.
New museum and heritage displays are also being developed with young people in mind, this time 2 to 8 year olds. Ms. Judith McCarthy Donegal County Musuem Curator stated that “this is the first time that an exhibition has been developed by the museum with this age group in mind. The display will be developed in such a way to encourage children to interact with the exhibition and will prove to be an enjoyable learning experience for the child”.
Another key element of the project is the development of information panels and booklets on the shared archaeological heritage of the border area.
Mr. Michael O’hEanaigh, Director of Community, Culture and Enterprise in Donegal County Council stated that “there are many positive aspects to this project and for me the most positive is how by working together with Strabane District Council, so many fresh ideas have emerged to further develop and strengthen this sector”.
He added that “the research project is particularly impressive and by focusing on best practice examples of cross border cultural work it will support and reinforce the work undertaken by both Councils to enhance the co-ordination of arts and heritage development in the border region”.
Speaking at the launch of this innovative project, Cllr. Dessie Larkin Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council has stated that “this is a very positive project, and I wish it the greatest success. It is a project that is investing in the development of arts and museums, at a time when the County will be benefiting from new arts infrastructure including the building of the impressive new Arts Centre in Letterkenny.”
Mr Phillip Faithfull, Chief Executive of Strabane District Council said, “This is an important project for the area. It will begin making vital linkages that will lead to the development of high quality service provision in the region’s arts and museums. Our department of Culture, Arts and Leisure will be working with Harriet to make the most of the project initiatives”.
For Further Information, contact:
Harriet Purkis
Project Co-ordinator
Strabane District Council
47 Derry Road
Strabane BT82 8DY
Tel: 02871382204
E-mail: hpurkis@strabanedc.com
harriet.purkis@donegalcoco.ie
or
Anne Marie Conlon
Communications Officer
Donegal County Council
Tel: 074 91 72574
Mob: 087 9192275
Email: amconlon@donegalcoco.ie