Branching Out
Saturday 28 October, 2.00pm – 4.00pm 2023
Rothe House, 16 Parliament Street, Kilkenny
Branching Out invited artists based in Kilkenny to join the table to collectively share and listen. This communal space was created to reflect on the challenges and joys of being an artist in the context of Kilkenny. By starting the conversation we hoped to gain an understanding of the arts community’s needs and worries in order to strengthen connections and encourage future self-organisation.
Refreshments were made using ingredients sourced from the 17th century garden of Rothe House.
This was the initial event of a wider research project that aims to work with artists to promote the arts in Kilkenny by taking a collective learning approach based on exchange and deep listening. Through participant-led research this will develop a strategic art programme that engages with the public in a meaningful way.
This event was organised by Leah Corbett and Rachel Botha.
This event was followed by two surveys, one for artists and the other for the general public. These surveys broadly evaluated the public’s engagement with the arts and how it is valued. We wanted to gain an insight into how the arts impact people living here, and the current conditions for artists.
Surveys were created and analysed in consultation with Siobhán Kelly. Illustrations by Gemma NicConchra.
Kindly supported by Arts Act Grant, Arts Office, Kilkenny County Council.
