Kilkenny County Council launches new Cultural Strategy for Arts, Heritage and Libraries

Kilkenny County Council has launched a new 5 year Cultural Strategy for Arts, Heritage and Libraries. The strategy provides a framework for the delivery of the Arts, Heritage and Library Services of Kilkenny County Council from 2018 to 2022. It replaces the former Arts Plan, Biodiversity Plan, Heritage Plan and Library Plan.

Welcoming the strategy Cllr. Eamon Aylward, Cathaoirleach Kilkenny County Council said "Our culture is vital for the life of Kilkenny's citizen's. It underpins employment, health and well-being, quality of life, and civic participation. We have a responsibility to conserve and enhance our culture for future generations."

Mary Mulholland, Director of Services, commented "We welcome this new integrated approach to cultural services in Kilkenny. Current national policy encourages more collaboration across all the sectors and we are delighted to be one of the first local authorities to adopt this approach"

The publication of the new strategy follows an extensive public consultation process, coordinated by the Cultural Services Team of Kilkenny County Council, which identified 5 key strategic priorities:
I. Enable best practice delivery of culture
II. Increase and diversify participation in culture
III. Support culture in rural and urban areas
IV. Engage children and young people in culture
V. Communicate the value of culture
Kilkenny County Council is committed, in partnership with others, to the delivery of the actions in the Cultural Strategy plan over the period 2018-2022.

Copies of the plan are available in Irish and English from the Arts Office, Heritage Office and County Library, and can also be downloaded here:
KK Cultural Strategy English version.pdf (size 14.8 MB)
KK Cultural Strategy Irish version.pdf (size 14.2 MB)
KK Cultural Strategy Appendices.pdf (size 8.3 MB)

For further information contact any of the following members of the Cultural Service Team:
Mary Butler, Arts Officer, mary.butler@kilkennycoco.ie. Phone: 056-7794138
Dearbhala Ledwidge, Heritage Officer, dearbhala.ledwidge@kilkennycoco.ie Phone: 056-7794925
Josephine Coyne, County Librarian, josephine.coyne@kilkennycoco.ie Phone: 056-7794161