7.2 | Cultural Heritage and the Arts 7.2.1 | Introduction 7.2.2 | Enabling Infrastructure for
Our Region possesses a distinctive and rich heritage and culture. In addition to its intrinsic value, culture provides important social and economic benefits. Themanagement of our built and natural heritage plays an important role in protecting the environment, creating vibrant communities and sustaining local economies. The Region is endowed with vibrant and diverse cultural attributes across its cities, towns, rural areas and islands. The cultural diversity can be seen in the people and communities of the Region, the art galleries, museums, theatres, our Gaeltacht areas as well as the festivals that bring great life and colour to many locations. The Region boasts a rich tapestry of national monuments, national parks and nature reserves, cultural institutions, historic cities, towns and villages. In Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DCHG) sets out the national framework for arts and cultural policy. The presence of vibrant arts and culture contributes to the attractiveness of the Region for visitors, workers and investors and enhances its reputation internationally. The RSES will promote and support cultural diversity in our communities throughout the Region, recognising the importance of our cultural heritage, the Irish language and Gaeltacht areas, our music, arts, folklore and games, and cultural diversity to foster a more sustainable future; and harnessing our collective attributes to showcase our Region to the world. The RSES supports the Creative Ireland Programme/ Clár Éire Ildánach and in its enabling work focussed on the Five Pillars of Creative Ireland/ Cúig Cholún a bhaineann le Éire Ildánach. The RSES also supports the important work at county level, recognising the culture and creativity plans in place for each local authority in the Region. A successful example of a strategic approach to promoting sustainable cultural development, opportunities and innovation is the Three Sisters Regional Cultural Strategy 2016-25 developed for the counties of Kilkenny, Waterford andWexford.
development of the Cultural and Creative Sector in our Region The implementation of key regional initiatives (including Fáilte Ireland’s strategic projects) and programmes supports the strong presence of cultural heritage and the arts in our communities and connection to our built, natural and linguistic heritage. The RSES supports the development of a network of community arts and cultural hubs providing space for arts and culture in local communities. A good practice example is theWexfordCreativeHubdevelopedbyWexfordCounty Council in association with Wexford Arts Centre that includes working studios, exhibition, retail and workshop space for the creative sector, as well as being a focus point for artists, painters, sculptors, craft makers, photographers, writers, musicians, filmmakers, and more.
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Cultural and Creative Sectors It is an objective to develop a vibrant cultural and creative sector in the Region as a key enabler for enterprise growth, innovation, regeneration, place-making and community development, health and well-being and support measures under Culture 2025, Creative Ireland Strategy 2017- 22 and the Action Plan for Rural Development . Local authorities and public agencies should support development of a network of community arts and cultural hubs.
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
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