Arts Office launch Fingal Friday Forum

We understand this is a challenging time for artists and we recognise the importance of staying connected and providing support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sessions will be delivered via Zoom from 9.30am – 11.00am on the first Friday of each month from Friday 5th February to Friday 3rd December.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. David Healy commented: “It has been a difficult time for artists during the Covid-19 pandemic but Fingal County Council’s Arts Office has been committed to providing supports for artists across the county. Supports such as these are vital for artists to stay in touch and connected to the art community in Fingal and I praise the Arts Office for providing the platform for this service and I hope that these sessions will help artists through this tough period.”

Curator, Advisor and Mentor Eamonn Maxwell will facilitate the sessions commencing with Protecting Livelihoods and Careers. Guest speakers will be invited to cover a range of specific topics aimed at supporting, guiding and addressing what is required to build resilience and aid recovery within this important and specialist sector post COVID-19 times and beyond.

Eamonn Maxwell has worked as a curator and advisor in the visual arts for over 20 years. He has curated numerous exhibitions across the world including the Irish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2011. He has been a passionate advocate for emerging artists, establishing the Emerging Artists Programme during his tenure as University Curator, University of the Arts London and he continues to mentor artists.

The programme has been devised to align with the recommendations in the recent Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, Arts & Culture Recovery Taskforce report ‘LIFE WORTH LIVING’ which sets out the supports needed for the cultural sector to ensure recovery, resilience and face forward to the future.

It also responds to the mission of the Fingal County Council Arts Plan 2019 – 2025 enabling the creative and professional development of artists and resonates with the KEEP WELL campaign’s objective to stay connected with people during COVID-19.

Speaking about the forum, Director of Services, Emer O’ Gorman said: “I am delighted to announce the Fingal Friday Forum which is a valuable initiative and great opportunity for artists to stay connected while also enabling them to develop their professional practice during these challenging times.”

The Fingal Friday Forum is free and open to artists working across all art forms. To register please email [email protected]