Creative Communities Roadshow 2024 - Mahon

Cork City Council Arts Office will host a series of five in-person and one online creative, community-focused networking events in October 2024 as part of the Creative Communities Roadshow. The events will take place in different parts of the city throughout the month and are open to everyone interested in creativity, community engagement, and the arts. Whether you’re an artist, a community worker or just curious, you’re welcome to join us for one or both parts of any or all of these events.

The first part of each will be a chance to connect with others, share information and get some funding advice. We’ll kick off with small group discussions to get to know each other and explore the values and ideas that inspire your creativity, whether you're involved in projects already or just interested in finding out how to bring more creativity to your community. Practical tools and resources for creative projects and social practice will be shared.

The second part will offer creative tasters where participants can discuss and explore themes together such as access, equity, inclusion and diversity while trying your hand at fun, easy and enjoyable arts activities to share with others. The creative tasters will facilitate basic skills that support creative and artistic group work. They will involve re-usable, natural or recycled materials and are accessible for all ages and abilities. No prior experience is needed to participate.

All materials and some refreshments will be provided. Please bring a keep cup with you.

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This is the fifth of 6 events in total and the final of the in-person events. It will be held at Mahon Community Centre.

Session 2 of the Mahon event will be a creative taster in Balancing Acts, facilitated by Kate Mitchell (Circus Factory). You don’t have to run away with the circus to enjoy being creative! Try your hand at juggling and other skills to discover fun ways for all ages to find emotional and physical balance and gain confidence in physical performance playfully.

About the facilitator:

Kate Mitchell is a highly skilled and multifaceted circus artist, whose work engages and inspires audiences across the world. She specializes in fire performance, hula hoop, aerial sling and silks. Kate first ran away with the circus in 2013 and has traveled far and wide to learn from some of the greats; she has undertaken mentorship with Marianna de Santis, Lisa Lottie, Aisling Ní Cheallaigh and Loosysmokes. Artistic work, that she created and performed in, has been seen as part of Cork Midsummer Festival, Derry Halloween and Pitch’d Circus Festival. She has performed in productions of varying sizes including large scale installations with La Fura dels Baus and Fidget Feet. Kate worked as Circus Education Director at In Your Space Circus in Derry until June 2023 and is currently working with Circus Factory. Kate has been responsible for coordinating and delivering projects for the British Science Association's Ideas fund which used social circus as method of social prescription for older adults.

Please note: Session 1 will have much of the same content at each event, but with an opportunity to connect with different people in the different locations. The Creative Taster (Session 2) will differ at each of the 6 Roadshow events.

For dates, venues and more information on the other events in the series, see below!

Togher Community Centre - 8th October, 2pm-5pm Graphic Harvesting creative taster with Helen O'Keeffe

Riverstown Community Centre - 12th October, 2pm-5pm Weaving Nature creative taster with Niamh Geoghan

The Carraig Centre, Ballincollig - 14th October, 10am- 1pm Storytelling creative taster with Paddy Doyle

Blarney Community Centre - 14th October, 5:30pm- 8:30pm Zines Making creative taster with Print Van Go

Online - 21st October, 6pm- 9pm Graphic Harvesting creative taster with Hazel Hurley

For more details and booking link for all events visit

Host or Publisher Cork City Arts Office