Ballydehob’s music venue Levis’s and the Duncairn Arts Centre in Belfast are set to collaborate with their artistic and wider communities to establish a cross border artist’s network titled ‘The Ties that Bind’.

Co-ordinated by Cork County Council in conjunction with Belfast City Council, ‘The Ties that Bind’ is part of the Creative Communities on a Shared Island programme, which aims to foster cross border cultural relationships on the island of Ireland in line with the Government’s Shared Island Initiative

‘The Ties that Bind’ will provide artists with a platform to collaborate and work collectively on new projects through exchange residencies culminating in working sessions and mini festivals. It will also tell the story of two corners of the island and how they have successfully harnessed the arts to build respect, inclusion, and positivity.

Open to emerging musicians and artists of all genres, artists from rural County Cork and inner-city Belfast will have the opportunity to participate in artistic residency exchanges, providing valuable opportunities to develop their craft, engage with local networks and organisations, forge new relationships and create new bodies of work. Renowned artists Mick Flannery from Cork and Joshua Burnside from Belfast will serve as the participant’s mentors.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn welcomed the programme saying, “County Cork has a rich and vibrant cultural and creative sector that contributes enormously to our sense of identity and to the quality of life we all enjoy. Thanks to the support of Creative Ireland, we look forward to exchanging ideas, creativity and knowledge with our partners in Belfast City Council and to learning from their experience as a UNESCO designated City of Music. West Cork and inner-city Belfast have very different communities with a wealth of creative potential in this exchange for the participating artists.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan added, “this collaboration between the Cork County Council and Belfast City Council is a unique opportunity for artists from both regions to come together, share talents and strengthen connections. This project epitomises the spirit of the Shared Island Initiative, and we are proud to be a part of it. We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of the project in both West Cork and Belfast.”

The Government’s Shared Island initiative aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding on the island and engage with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future. The project is scheduled to take place in 2023 and 2024. All associated opportunities and events will be advertised on Cork County Council’s website.

Source: Cork County Council