The Kilkenny Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022 was officially launched by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister Eoghan Murphy and Minister Josepha Madigan on 12th September 2018.
This strategy, prepared by the Cultural Services Section of Kilkenny County Council, sets out Kilkenny County Council's vision for implementing the Creative Ireland programme.

At ireland's first "Creative Ireland Forum" held in December, 2017, An Taoiseach Leo Varadker outlined the
importance of the Creative Ireland project as follows:
"The work of government at any given time involves two distinct tasks: we have to deal with events and circumstances of the day, but we also have to develop ideas, policies and initiatives that will contribute to a better life for our citizens in the future. All too often the urgent business of today leaves two little space for the important task of shaping that future".
The Creative Ireland Programme creates the space for us to think deeply and imaginatively about our collective future, about how we can realise our potential as individuals and as a society and about the type of society we want for the future.
In Kilkenny County Council we have an active cultural services team engaging with groups and individuals and delivering
services across the Heritage, Arts, Library and Conservation areas. Kilkenny County Council has adopted a Cultural Strategy for the period 2018 to 2022 which is an Integrated Strategic Plan for the delivery of the Arts, Heritage and Library Services of Kilkenny County Council.
This plan represents the desire for a more joined up approach to engagement and consultation, with clear linkages to national policies like Culture 2025 and the Creative Ireland Programme and an emphasis on practitioner support in our creative county.

Kilkenny County Council supports cultural participation and practice through partnerships and collaborations, through significant direct and indirect support and through the provision of cultural infrastructure across the City and County. Kilkenny County Council is committed to developing Kilkenny as a place where those from all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds have a sense of belonging and pride and the opportunity to contribute to all aspects of life. We continue to make financial provision for investment in cultural infrastructure and look forward to the expansion of our creative and cultural sectors across the county.

Councillor Eamon Aylward
Cathaoirleach
Kilkenny County Council

Colette Byrne
Chief Executive
Kilkenny County Council

Learn more in the Creative County Kilkenny Booklet