In the Open | Faoin Spéir was an Arts Council funded programme developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis for 2021 which saw a variety of outdoor arts events taking place in public spaces around Ireland. As we  emerged from the pandemic in the second half of 2021 and into 2022, In the Open | Faoin Spéir will helped to bring a renewed spirit of optimism and confidence in a fulsome return to the arts.

The public experienced In the Open | Faoin Spéir events in the following locations, kicking off in the summer and continued in some places in Easter 2022; Dublin (Artane, Rathfarnham and City Parks), Castlebar, Carrick-on-Shannon, Clonmel, Cavan, Cork City, Ennis, Offaly (Birr, Lough Boora and Tullamore), Laois (Abbeyleix, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Rathdowney, Stradbally, Mountmellick, Mountrath), Longford, Louth (Drogheda and Dundalk) and Waterford.

Each area had a variety of events that appealed to a broad range of audiences and interests which ranged from performances, film, projections, music, street art, trails, spectacle, installations, visual arts, literature, spoken word.

The scheme encouraged collaborations between arts organisations, festivals, arts centres and local authorities to programme innovative events for local audiences in outdoor public places. It helped to ensure that the public was able to safely enjoy arts events as we emerged from the pandemic. It brought employment to many artists, curators, event and production managers over the course of the scheme.

The wonderful line up of programmes was:

Artane, Dublin
A contemporary arts showcase in the form a community fete. Dublin City Council invited artists and residents of Rockfield Park to collaborate and inspire each other to create a dynamic spectacle in Spring 2022.

Updates on http://www.dublincityartsoffice.ie/

Cavan Town
This town wide arts programme running from July 2021 to March 2022, was led by Cavan County Council, included spectacle, outdoor theatre, visual arts and traditional arts which responded to the people and place of Cavan, reflecting on challenges and looking to the future.

Updates on www.cavanarts.ie

Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim
A series of weekend programmes throughout Carrick-on-Shannon curated by The Dock offered audiences the opportunity to engage with literature, music, film and theatre over the winter to reengage with the community and town through the arts. Programme ran between September and December 2021.

Updates on www.thedock.ie 

Castlebar, Mayo
Telling future stories through national collections and the role of artists in the process, this programme on the Castlebar Greenway & at Turlough Park, was viewable from early 2022, drew inspiration from the National Folklife Collection and showcased work by artists exploring these themes.

FOLKLIFE, curated by Culture Works, was an outdoor multi-disciplinary and artist residency programme of inclusive and engaging arts events and interventions. The programme took its inspiration from The National Museum of Ireland - Country Life Collection, the natural beauty of Turlough Park and the Great Western Greenway (Castlebar to Turlough).  FOLKLIFE wasfunded by the Arts Council through the Faoin Spéir/In the Open 2021 - 2022 nationwide programme and locally by Mayo County Council Arts Service, The National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, The Linenhall Arts Centre and Mayo Artsquad. FOLKLIFE Resident Artists were Jane Cassidy, Rajinder Singh and Breda Burns.

For further information and updates, visit: https://www.mayo.ie/en-ie/home

Clonmel
With an overarching theme of “Come out to Play" this multi artform programme focused on making creativity visible through large scale arts events which engaged with both the fabric of the town and its communities. Taking place between October 2021 and April 2022, In The Open Clonmel  presented an exciting range of performances, visual arts initiatives and new music commissions all rooted in a strong sense of place. This programme was led by Tipperary County Council with local arts partners Clonmel Junction Arts Festival and South Tipperary Arts Centre.

Updates on 

www.tipperarycoco.ie/arts, www.southtippartscentre.ie 

Cork City
Cork Printmakers and partners open up their courtyard to the public at Wandesford Quay between July 2021 and April 2022, presenting events across multiple artforms focusing on community and arts education, performance and more. 

Updates on  www.corkprintmakers.ie

Cork City
The Courtyard of Christchurch at Triskel Arts Centre was converted to into an outdoor performing, visual and participatory space for summer 2021 presenting events that highlighted the diversity, breath and dynamism of the arts in Cork.

Updates on www.triskelartscentre.ie

Drogheda, Louth
An urban art trail of five newly commissioned murals, ‘DRAWDA’ by Droichead Arts Centre and partners set the scene for a three-month-long youth outreach programme and an outdoor celebration over two weekends. The programme kicked off in August 2021 and ran until April 2022.

Updates on www.droichead.com

Dublin City Parks
WhistleBlast Quartet performed a short series of fun filled free concerts in 12 Dublin City parks and playgrounds between July and November 2021 providing a unique opportunity for families to engage with live music in an open air setting.

Updates on www.whistleblastquartet.com

Ennis, Clare

As part of In the Open | Faoin Spéir, Clare County Council and Fidget Feet presented: “FLUTTERBY”

An exciting outdoor promenade circus street event for all the family in Ennis, County Clare that took place on Friday 25^th  & Saturday 26^th  February 2021 with 3 shows a day at 10:00, 12:00, and 14:00.

More Info: on www.fidgetfeet.com

Laois
This celebrated a return for audiences to the arts in seven towns across Laois, Dunamaise Arts Centre presented a combination of free, live and digital events between September 2021 and April 2022 which was led by artists and curators with origins in and strong connections to the county. 

Updates on dunamaise.ie and Dunamaise socials. 

Longford
Presented between August 2021 and April 2022 in the Camlin Quarter in Longford this programme saw the celebration of storytelling, high-quality musical performances, a walking theatrical experience and a large scale light installation.

Updates on www.backstagetheatre.ie

Louth
A futuristic app based journey was launched in March 2022 and led by An Táin Arts Centre who sent audiences on a mission through the area to rescue 20 of the last surviving artworks in the world, ensuring the future survival of arts and heritage through engagement. 

Updates on www.antain.ie 

Offaly 
A series of outdoor events, workshops, film, performances and happenings in Birr, Tullamore and Lough Boora ran from July 2021 to April 2022 based upon principles of inclusion and diversity and centred on audience and participation.

Updates on https://www.facebook.com/offalyarts and www.offaly.ie/arts

Rathfarnham, Dublin
Two parks in Rathfarnham played host to a carnival-style performing arts spectacle by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality from October this year to April 2022 with site-specific, outdoor theatre, film and literary pop-up events promoting equality, compassion and human rights.

Updates on http://smashingtimes.ie/

Waterford

Award winning street arts company Waterford Spraoi presented a Faoin Spéir project titled Salute to Spring at the Old Market House Arts Centre, Dungarvan, County Waterford, from February 1^st. The company created a large-scale art installation on the art centre’s external walls which was illuminated at night and remained in-situ throughout February.

Updates on www.spraoi.com