Dublin group wins Creative Lives Award
Creative groups across the UK and Ireland celebrated at prestigious national awards
- Creative Lives, the registered charity that champions community and volunteer-led arts activity, is delighted to announce the winners of the 2024 Creative Lives Awards.
- The Creative Lives Awards celebrate the incredible achievements of groups and projects providing creative activity for people of all ages and abilities across England, Ireland/Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
- A winner and runner-up was chosen from each nation. Dublin-based group ATD Ireland won the Ireland Award. They received an award and framed certificate, cash prize and free access to Creative Lives’ online training.
- Set up to empower and give a voice to marginalised people living in poverty, ATD Ireland’s ‘Creative Pathways to Participation’ project led to a book of creative writing and photography that shared insights into social justice, equality and inclusion. For more information about the group, please visit www.creative-lives.org/all-together-in-dignity-atd-ireland
- Representatives from the winning groups attended an inspirational ceremony at Cecil Sharp House in London on Thursday 26 September to receive their awards.
Dann Kenningham from ATD Ireland said: “ATD Ireland’s vision is of a world without persistent poverty, where everyone is valued, can participate fully in society and fulfil their potential. We’re extremely grateful to receive this important recognition from Creative Lives. Our ‘Creative Pathways to Participation’ project is a collection of poetry, writing and art showcasing the importance of creative outlets; for finding voice, self expression, self recognition and sharing insights on issues of social justice, equality and inclusion.
“This piece of work aims to shine a light on the brave efforts made by many people struggling with poverty and social exclusion to express themselves publicly and to face the barriers and inequalities head on. Written by ATD Ireland Community Activists and guests it explores themes of activism, poverty, inequality, sustainability, hope, community and love.”
You can read more about the project here: Creative Pathways to Participation – All Together in Dignity – ATD Ireland
Robin Simpson, Chief Executive of Creative Lives said: “The Creative Lives Awards consistently reveal the extraordinary impact of volunteer-led creative groups. This year’s winners demonstrate – yet again – the vital role such groups play in building stronger, more resilient communities. At a time when so many are experiencing isolation and uncertainty, these groups offer a lifeline of connection, shared purpose and joy.”
Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in the Irish Government, said: “I would like to express my sincere congratulations to ATD Ireland, the winners of the Creative Lives Ireland Award. I had the honour of being asked to provide the foreword for The Creative Pathways to Participation project, the aim of which was to nourish and spotlight the creative talents and knowledge of those impacted by poverty and discrimination, or those who otherwise experience marginalisation. This now award-winning project recognised the value of creative outlets for self-expression and for finding one’s voice, given that people who are struggling may not often have a platform to do so”.
Notes to Editors:
For more information about the Creative Lives Awards, please visit: www.creative-lives.org/awards
For information, photographs and interview opportunities with the winners, please contact Kelly Donaldson at kelly@creative-lives.org or tel: 07843 056023.
Creative Lives (formerly Voluntary Arts) is a registered charity that was established in 1991. We champion community and volunteer-led creative activity, and work to improve opportunities for everyone to be creative. In particular, we celebrate and promote people expressing themselves creatively with others, recognising the benefits this can bring.
The Creative Lives Awards (formerly the Epic Awards) started in 2010, as a way to celebrate and spotlight the incredible achievements of groups and projects providing creativity activity for people of all ages and abilities across the UK and Ireland.
ENDS…/
Creative Lives Charity Limited is registered in Scotland as Company No. 139147 and Charity No. SC 020345. Registered office: The Melting Pot, 15 Carlton Road, Edinburgh EH8 8DL. Voluntary Creativity CLG (operating as Creative Lives) is registered in Ireland as Company No. 592958. Registered office: c/o 35 Doughcloyne Court Industrial Estate, Sarsfield Road, Cork T12 T207.
Creative Lives acknowledges funding from Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and The Arts Council of Ireland.
