The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Ms Josepha Madigan, TD, launched Wexford County Council’s Arts Plan – ‘Advancing the Arts’ 2018 – 2022′ at the Council’s headquarters at Carricklawn, recently. .

Minister Madigan said the plan will reinforce the importance of the Arts in Wexford and it illustrates how culture and creativity plays a major role in the lives of people and in communities across this county and sets out how Wexford County Council will support the Arts over the next five years.

“Wexford County Council has earned itself an enviable reputation for being innovative and forward thinking in its proactive approach to local arts development” said Wexford County Council Chief Executive, Tom Enright.
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr John Hegarty stated; “We look forward to enhancing our work though this Arts Plan over the coming years and working with our key partners, the Arts Council, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Creative Ireland Programme and the HSE, as well and building exciting new partnerships with Music Generation, Wexford Waterford Education and Training Board and other key stakeholders”

The ambitious and visionary five year Arts Plan came about following an extensive consultation process throughout County Wexford last year. Spearheaded by the Council’s Arts Officer Liz Burns and supported by independent arts consultant Mary McAuliffe, this consultation process involved meetings with artists, arts organisations, community groups and elected members throughout Wexford County as well as senior Council staff, programme partners and other key stakeholders.

This is Wexford County Council’s fifth Arts Plan since the Council first established an Arts Office more than 24 years ago – an initiative that has resulted in the Arts being firmly embedded in the work of Wexford County Council.