Over the years we have worked with numerous local, national and international artists exploring arts in a rural context, what the term means for artists, communities and society. Projects, whilst rooted in the local, have garnered much national and international acclaim. The arts office has developed ongoing partnerships and relationships with artists and organisations that have shaped the delivery of art projects countywide. Arts in a rural context is also a key feature of our public art programme Gaining Ground
Ground Up
Ground Up was an experimental programme of contemporary art in rural contexts in Clare. Curated by Fiona Woods, the Regional Arts Coordinator for North Clare at the time, Ground Up involved 22 artists over three strands between 2003- 2007, staged a series of public events, generated two publications and 11 temporary public artworks. It had a strong artist-led ethos and laid emphasis on research.
Ground Up; Reconsidering Contemporary Art Practice in the Rural Context, ed. Fiona Woods was published as part of the project and the Arts Office also facilitated the establishment of the Ground Up Artists’ Collective (GUAC) in 2008 – an independent artists collective.
Karum Creevagh
Karum Creevagh is an interdisciplinary project which began in 2018 involving the Burren area of Co Clare and the Oland area of Sweden. It involves an experimental and innovative approach to arts and landscape heritage. Creevagh Art and Archaeology Collective are a group of 8 Clare artists and archaeologists who are participating in this interdisciplinary project.
It includes a research phase involving the landscape archaeology of the Burren and Kilshanny area using photography and film. A parallel group in Sweden is examining the Oland region with the aim of sharing a united group exhibition in both Clare and Sweden.
The Future is Domestic
This project was commissioned, with the support of the Arts Council, to mark Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2013. It looked at how throughout Europe artists are working in small rural areas to make contemporary art and saw artists from Latvia and Estonia travel to Ennistymon, Co.Clare to share skills and experiences in a rural context
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