Overview
Creative Connections was an arts-based project that used creative processes to explore the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland in relation to generating debate and discussion to identify issues still facing diverse groups and to explore solutions for the development of a genuinely integrated society. The project used creative processes of theatre, film and new digital technologies to achieve targeted good relations outcomes in areas of identified need and to build the good relations capacity of six partner organisations within a supportive, mentoring framework. Smashing Times, as lead partner, worked with CAIN (Conflict Archive on the Internet) and the University of Ulster INCORE International Conflict Research Institute to document the work generated as part of this project. A programme of activities was conducted with six community organisations – four in Northern Ireland and two in the Republic of Ireland – to promote reconciliation and positive community relations. The six organisations were Down GAA, Ballybeen Women’s Centre, East Belfast, Old Warren Association, the UDR Association, Portadown, The New Garage Theatre, County Monaghan and Mad Youth Theatre, Dundalk, County Louth. Creative Connections combined performative art and discussion based workshops to create a platform for participants to share their thoughts and opinions on issues relating to conflict and conflict resolution. The project culminated in a one-day Creative Arts, Human Rights and Peace Symposium in Northern Ireland to celebrate the role of the arts in promoting equality, human rights and positive community relations. The crossborder and cross-community symposium took place on Thursday 17 October 2019, at the Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Antrim.
Twelve workshops were held with six groups – two workshops per group – and interviews were conducted with participants from key groups including ex-service personnel, former paramilitaries, women’s group members and ethnic minorities. The workshops included six performances based on scenes from The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of WWII by Mary Moynihan, Fiona Thompson, Paul Kennedy and Féilim James followed by exercises and discussion. As part of the workshops the groups worked on creating manifestoes for a peaceful and shared future, which were presented by representatives from each of the four participating groups from Northern Ireland at the final Creative Arts Symposium. The project culminated in a Creative Arts symposium which brought together artists and communities from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland using creative processes to explore women’s stories from WWII and to use this exploration as a catalyst to generate dialogue on ways forward for peace today in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland. Overall 225 participants from a cross-border and cross-community basis attended twelve workshops and a creative symposium. A Creative Connections book – with project documentation, interviews, project findings and group manifestoes – was developed and distributed, an outreach campaign and Communications and Dissemination campaign were conducted and the final project reach was 115,270.
Lead Creatives
Mary Moynihan (writer, director, theatre and filmmaker, Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality)
Collaborating Organisations
CAIN (Conflict Archive on the Internet), INCORE International Conflict Research Institute, University of Ulster
Down GAA
Ballybeen Women’s Centre
Old Warren Community Association, Lisburn
The UDR Association, Portadown
Participating or Target Group(s)
Cross Community, Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist, Catholic, Nationalist and Republican
Funders
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Key Aims and Rationale
The project aimed to use innovative artistic approaches, discussion and debate to promote positive community relations and reconciliation through education, dialogue and culture. This arts-based project used creative processes of theatre workshops, performances, film screenings and post-show panel discussions to firstly commemorate a range of different women’s stories from WWII and then to use those stories as a way to explore a legacy of conflict in Northern Ireland today, generating debate and discussion to identify issues still facing diverse groups and solutions for the development of a genuinely integrated society.
Key Peace-Related Issues
Reconciliation
Positive Community Relations
Linked and Legacy Projects
The project was repeated in 2021 with a new range of participant groups including Clann Eireann GAC Health and Well-being programme, South Shore Health and Well-being Outreach project, Ballybeen Women’s Centre, Old Warren Community Association, Lisburn, UDR Association, Portadown and the New Garage Theatre, Monaghan and MAD Youth Theatre, Dundalk, Louth.
Key Information
Lead OrganisationSmashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality
01/01/2019
31/12/2019
Locations
Castlewellan, County Down; Belfast, County Antrim; Lisburn, County Antrim; Portadown, County Armagh; Knockaconny, County Monaghan; Dundalk, County Louth.
Online Resources
https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CreativeConnection20_Book-1.pdf
