Information night on grants available for Culture Night in Laois
A section of the crowd who took part in the Culture Night celebrations in Rathdowney last year.
ARE you or a local group interested in hosting a large culture night event in your town or village on Friday 19 September?
If so, an information night about the awards and opportunities of the grants on offer is taking place on Wednesday 22 January at 7pm in the Portlaoise Parish Centre.
An online Microsoft Teams information meeting will also be held on Thursday 23 January at 7pm. To book a place email arts@laoiscoco.ie
Laois County Council’s Art Office is seeking applications from groups and individuals from towns and villages in the county who are interested in being considered to put on a spectacle event on Culture Night Friday 19 September.
A creative team including a producer, Music Generation and artists will guide the town in making the successful applicant’s event, a night to remember.
The winning entrant will be expected to work closely with the creative team and to involve as many stakeholders as possible including schools, community groups, men’s sheds, ICA, resident groups, artists, and musicians, etc.
The effect this level of involvement in a Culture Night event can be profound on a town. It increases confidence and skills in hosting and producing a large-scale event, under the guidance of a professional team. Art, music, dance, and drama workshops are held in advance of the Culture Night event, with the schools and community.
Night Creatures Parade took place on Culture Night 2023 in Stradbally was a great success. It included students from Cosby NS, St Colemans NS, drummers from Music Generation Laois and dancers from the Buggie School of Dance. There was a parade and illuminations.
Rathdowney Revels was the title of the 2024 Culture Night event. It included dance, music and illuminations with radiant creatures inhabiting the Square led by a firmament of sun, moon and stars.
Those who took part included children and young people from Scoil Bhríde NS and Saint Fergal’s College, residents from Erkina House, The Commercial Inn and the wider Rathdowney community.
The Culture Night events were produced by Laois County Council Arts Service in partnership with Music Generation Laois.
Details and application forms for this year events are available from The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Also by phoning 057 866 4163, be emailing arts@laoiscoco.ie or by logging onto its website www.laois.ie.
Closing date for receipt of the completed application is 5pm on Friday 28 February.
