7 year old Ava Carlin from Derry gets creative at FabLab Nerve Centre to help launch the Creativity Month 2016 programme, celebrating creativity and the Creative Industries in the north of Ireland.
THIS March why not 3D print a trench periscope, find out how to get ahead in the creative industries, explore maker culture, and experience some big bangs with time-travelling scientists?
They are just some of the activities in this year’s packed Creativity Month programme of more than 150 workshops, conferences, and special events.
An initiative of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, in partnership with Culture NI and the Nerve Centre, Creativity Month celebrates creativity and the creative industries in the north of Ireland.
Throughout the month of March, Creativity Month 2016 will showcase the work of a diverse range of organisations, across government, business, education and the community and voluntary sectors, who are developing creative and innovative solutions to societal challenges.
Participating Derry venues include the Nerve Centre, FabLab, Easons, Derry Central Library, Cafe Nervosa, Richmond Shopping Centre, North West Regional College, The Playhouse and Lisnagelvin Playing Fields.
Families have a host of exciting activities to keep them entertained throughout the month. Every Friday at 11am, Eason’s in Foyleside Shopping Centre will host the Verbal Arts Centre’s Little Legends Reading Rooms, where kids from 0-8 will enjoy a different story each week.
If that doesn’t ignite your child’s creativity, then theFabLab Nerve Centre are encouraging children from 8-16 years of age to get to grips with the latest in digital fabrication technologies such as 3D printers and laser cutters in after school drop-in sessions on March 7 and 21.
Local businesses are being invited to establish some creative connections at a special Bridging Borders event taking place in the Everglades Hotel on March 3.
Delivered by the Enterprise Europe Network with support from Derry City and Strabane District Council and Invest Northern Ireland, the event offers business owners the opportunity to collaborate, innovate and prosper with other creative sector organisations, while gaining advice from industry professionals.
Creative & Cultural Skills and Creative Skillset will bring together young people aged 13-16 for an interactive ‘Creative Careers’ event in partnership with the North West Regional College.
A wide range of industry professionals from across the creative industries including music, design, performing arts, animation, gaming, film, TV, make-up and photography will speak with pupils about their own career journey and offer careers advice to those interested in pursuing a job in the creative sector.
At the launch of the programme, Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Carál Ní Chuilín, said: “Creativity month is a wonderful opportunity to find out more about the Creative Industries here in the north.
“I am pleased to see a variety of organisations coming together in this celebration of creativity.
“The creative and cultural sectors can act as a catalyst to tackling challenges in the economy, education, health and the environment.
“They have a key role in helping to promote equality and tackle poverty and social exclusion. I encourage everyone to get involved and explore their creative side in the coming month.”
David Lewis, director of communications & digital content at the Nerve Centre: “Creativity Month is bringing creativity, learning and fun to communities across Northern Ireland.
“I hope that this year’s programme will appeal to people of all ages and would encourage everybody to try a new creative experience this March. Full details are on the Creativity NI website, www.creativityni.org.”
The programme is now available via www.creativityni.org along with the latest creative events, news stories and videos.
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