Culture Connects Feasibility Study

Artist focus group session in Marketplace Theatre, Armagh

 

Culture Connects was developed in partnership with Galway City Council and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council facilitated by Galway Culture Company in collaboration with Galway Arts Centre, Atlantic Technological University and Southern Regional College. 

As part of research team Starling Start (Amberlea Neely), we embarked on an immersive, collaborative action research approach to uncover the common narratives between two previously unconnected places: Galway and Armagh. Our goal was to identify shared threads and opportunities for artists living and working in these regions.

We engaged with a diverse array of individuals from the arts sector, including professional artists, early career artists, students, educators, and policymakers. Together, we developed a rich cross-border programme that included:

  • Site visits – exploring the cultural landscapes of both cities
  • Facilitated conversations – encouraging open dialogue and exchange of ideas
  • Peer learning opportunities – fostering mutual learning and collaboration
Through these activities, we inspired and enabled new cross-border relationships and innovative ways of working. Culture Connects aimed to explore the feasibility of artist support programs, cross-border mobility, shared workspaces, and residencies. Our findings were supported by extensive policy context research and benchmarking. The evidence gathered was used to advocate for a five-year multi-million euro program, encompassing capital works and an ongoing collaborative programme between the two cities. This proposal included input from 182 participants and led to a range of unintended positive outcomes, such as connecting artists, academics, and educational institutions.
Culture Connects successfully demonstrated the potential for cross-border collaboration in the arts. By engaging deeply with the communities in Galway and Armagh, we not only identified common narratives but also laid the groundwork for a sustainable, collaborative future. This project highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces for honest reflection and dialogue, enabling participants to build trust and foster meaningful connections.