A cultural strategy for
the Irish in Britain
“The inspiration provided by arts, culture and
sport has long been an integral part of the migrant
experience. Ireland Inspires will celebrate and
support the Irish communities’ contribution, shared
experiences and future participation in the cultural
landscape of Britain. It is guided by both the desire to
celebrate and the opportunity to create.”
Introduction
The Irish community in Britain has
is at the very heart of all of us and is a route for
always engaged in culture as a means
our community to contribute to, and benefit from,
the wider cultural landscape of Britain. Through
to identify, express, remember and
Ireland Inspires the Federation aims to build on
grow. The long established cultural The Irish community
has always engaged in culture as a means to identify,
the bestinofBritain
what is
already being achieved right
offer of the Irish in Britain is rich, diverse,
express, remember and grow. The long established cultural offer of the Irish in Britain
across communities. In fostering new initiatives
shifting and flourishing. It is something
is rich, diverse, shifting and flourishing. It is something to get excited about and is at the
and partnerships
Ireland
widen
to get excited about and is at the core
core of our organisational
aspirations
for Inspires
2012 and will
beyond.
It isand
through culture, in the
cultivate
the
opportunities
for
development,
of our organisational aspirations for broadest sense, encompassing arts, sports and heritage that people are empowered and
and celebration.
communitiessupport
are strengthened.
I believe the Irish, across all countries and continents
2012 and beyond.
uniquely value
and cherish
their culture and creativity. Ireland Inspires is about harnessJennie
McShannon
ing the outstanding activity already taking place whilst creating an opportunity to celCEO, Federation of Irish Societies
It is through culture, in the broadest sense
ebrate and develop the Irish contribution to the diverse cultural landscape of British life.
encompassing arts, sports and heritage that The Federation of Irish Societies’ Cultural Strategy sets out a commitment and future
people are empowered and communities are ambition for nurturing, promoting and safe-guarding the Irish cultural offer in Britain.
strengthened. I believe the Irish, across all countries
Ireland Inspires is a concept to be owned and delivered by the Irish community in Britand continents uniquely value and cherish their
Theterm
inspiration
bywhat
arts,already
cultureexists.
and As
sport
ain. It is a long
approach,provided
building on
the national represenIrishbeen
in Britain
we are here
connect and enable growth,
culture and creativity. Ireland Inspires is about tative body for
hasthelong
an integral
parttooffacilitate,
the migrant
participationexperience.
and engagement
across
Irish arts,
and heritage.
harnessing the outstanding activity already taking
Ireland
Inspires
willsports
celebrate
and
The
strategy
is
a
framework
for
action
and
will
underpin
the
development of the Federaplace whilst creating an opportunity to celebrate
support the Irish communities’ contribution,
tion’s
cultural
work
for
the
years
ahead.
It
is
driven
by
the
view
and develop the Irish contribution to the diverse
shared experiences and future participation inthat
thethe cultural identity
of the Irish in Britain is at the very heart of all of us and is a route for our community to
cultural landscape of British life.
cultural landscape of Britain. It is guided by both
contribute to, and benefit from, the wider cultural landscape of Britain. Through Ireland
the desire to celebrate and the opportunity to
Inspires the Federation aims to build on the best of what is already being achieved right
The Federation of Irish Societies’ Cultural Strategy
create. In fostering new initiatives and partnerships Ireland Inspires will
across communities.
sets out a commitment and future ambition forwiden and cultivate the opportunities for development, support and celebration.
nurturing, promoting and safe-guarding the Irish
Jennie McShannon, CEO Federation of Irish Societies
cultural offer in Britain. Ireland Inspires is a longCultural Statement
“The inspiration
byfour
arts, years,
culturethe
andIrish
sportcontribution
has long been an integral part of the
term approach and is a concept to be owned and
Overprovided
the next
Ireland
Inspires
will
celebrate
and
support
delivered by the Irish community in Britain. As migrant experience.
to arts, sports and heritage in Britain will
havethe Irish communities’
contribution,
shared
experiences
and
future
participation
in
the cultural landscape of
the national representative body for the Irish in
extended its reach into new audiences and
Britain.
It
is
guided
by
both
the
desire
to
celebrate
and
the
opportunity
to create.”
Britain we are here to facilitate, connect and enable
Cultural Statement
Mission
participants and be reflective of the changing
growth, participation and engagement across Irish
demographic make-up of our community. It will
Mission
arts, sports and heritage.
anyears,
integral
British cultural
Over the nextbe
four
the part
Irish of
contribution
to arts, agendas
sports andand
heritage in Britain
will have
secured
from
funders
will have extended
its reach
into investment
new audiences
and new
participants
and be reflective of the
The strategy is a framework for action and will changing demographic
and partners.
In achieving
this mission
make-up
of our community.
It willIrish
be an integral part of British
underpin the development of the Federation’s cultural agendas
and will
have will
secured
investment from
new
funders
cultural
activity
be safeguarded
and
given
theand partners. In
cultural work for the years ahead. It is driven byachieving
the
this
mission
Irish
cultural
activity
will
be
safeguarded
and
given the opportuopportunity to flourish.
nity to flourish.
view that the cultural identity of the Irish in Britain
Inspiring Creativity
We will support the professional and
voluntary Irish cultural contribution
and ensure a sustainable future for
Irish cultural activity across Britain
Inspiring Community
We will work with the Irish
community across Britain,
facilitating and advocating at a
local, regional and national level for
activities that encourage cultural
engagement and opportunity
Inspiring Collaboration
We will utilise cultural activity to
develop strong, long-term working
partnerships across the Irish
community throughout Britain and
to build meaningful connections
with other migrant groups and the
wider British public
Inspiring Celebration
We will celebrate the wealth and
diversity of Irish arts, cultural and
sporting activity in Britain and
provide a national platform for
the promotion and recognition of
cultural work happening across our
community
We will do
this by:
We will do
this by:
We will do
this by:
We will do
this by:
l
Developing and supporting high quality initiatives that actively increase opportunities for members of Irish communities in Britain to engage in creative and sporting activities as makers, participants, audience members and spectators
l
Fostering the careers of individual artists, practitioners and makers of Irish descent living and working in Britain by supporting innovative creative activity of the highest artistic standard
l
Supporting the work of cultural organisations, groups and projects that engage the Irish community in creative and sporting activities
l
Promoting the creative and sporting profile of Irish people in Britain, and in doing so contribute to the positive perceptions of the Irish diaspora internationally
l
Strengthening and supporting partnerships that enable cultural engagement and inspire the Irish community
l
Working in partnership with Irish cultural and sporting providers to provide enriching opportunities for communities to engage with the best of contemporary and traditional Irish activity
l
Developing cultural and sporting initiatives that are socially inclusive of diverse audiences and participants and extend the reach across generations and throughout the Irish community
l
Creating opportunities for the sharing of knowledge and the promotion of best practice approaches for working in community contexts
l
Developing initiatives that generate collaboration between Irish arts, heritage, sport and welfare organisations
l
Working with key delivery agencies in Britain and the island of Ireland to develop partnerships to support collaborative East-West cultural projects
l
Identifying and encouraging cross-cultural relationships between the Irish community and other migrant groups to explore the diversity and similarities between our cultural experiences
l
Encouraging the development of long term business partnerships, within and beyond the Irish community that are meaningful and mutually valuable and that recognise the Irish contribution to the success and development of Britain’s creative economy
l
Showcasing the very best of traditional and contemporary Irish culture in Britain
l
Utilising the opportunities provided by London 2012 to encourage Irish communities across Britain to engage with sports and arts and to celebrate the unique Irish contribution to the wider cultural experience
l
Advocating regionally, nationally and internationally to raise and maintain the profile of Irish creative and sporting activity in Britain
l
Recognising and celebrating the role of both traditional and emerging cultural contributions as particularly significant to the migrant experience
Delivering
Ireland Inspires
Our cultural strategy will be a practical
one designed to support the Irish
cultural sector across Britain.
Get Inspired...
It will include political advocacy (both in Britain and Ireland), the
development of a national advisory committee, national events and
local initiatives. It will work across locations and communities and
with a range of partners. Ireland Inspires will ensure that the Irish in
Britain are at the centre of this inspiration and celebration. This cultural
strategy will be developed and delivered over the coming years and
will provide a platform to cultivate, create and sustain a cultural legacy
reflective of the unique role and influence of Irish communities in
Britain. It finds its energy in the celebrations of the 2012 Olympics but it
is fuelled by the opportunities that lie further ahead.
Fiona Smith
If you have a project you would like to collaborate on, an idea
to share, a story to tell, or just want to give us your feedback on
Ireland Inspires, contact our Cultural Campaign Co-ordinator:
[email protected]
020 7520 3134
Join the conversation:
#irelandinspires
Irish in Britain
inspired@irishinbritain. org
www.irishinbritain.org
Federation of Irish Societies, Company Ltd by Guarantee
Registered Office 95 White Lion St, London N1 9PF Company
No. 04013148, Registered Charity No. 1092268