Creativity Month 2016 A celebration of Creativity and the Creative Industries in the north of Ireland
www.creativityni.org #CreativityMonth
Creativity Month is a celebration of Creativity and the Creative Industries in the north of Ireland every March. ‘You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.’ Maya Angelou
An initiative of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Creativity Month is held to stimulate new thinking and help creative people, creative ideas and creative businesses emerge and flourish.
For the full programme of more than 100 events, the latest news and creative opportunities, go to www.creativityni.org
Creativity Month 2016 will showcase the work of a diverse range of organisations, across government, business, education and the community and voluntary sectors, who are developing creative and innovative solutions to societal challenges.
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Creative Centenaries The Abbey Rebels of 1916 March 3 Newry City Library Talk by Dr Fearghal McGarry, Reader in Irish History at Queen’s University, exploring the experiences, hopes and dreams of the remarkable Abbey Rebels of 1916.
Train The Trainer Session March 4 PRONI, Belfast Opportunity to get hands on with some of the resources developed for the 1916 commemorations and learn how to deliver workshops in your community.
According To Their Lights, Stories of Irishmen in the British Army at Easter 1916 March 8, 12 Downpatrick Library Banbridge Library Talk by Neil Richardson exploring the stories behind ‘forgotten soldiers’ – Irish men who fought and died for the British Army during the Easter Rising.
© Linen Hall Library
Women’s Work Through the Years – Afternoon Tea and Exploration March 7 PRONI, Belfast HMS Caroline, PRONI and the Northern Ireland War Memorial host an afternoon tea and the opportunity to explore the role of the Wrens, HMS Caroline and the women of Belfast during the First and Second World Wars. Objects, costumes, archives, photographs, film and more will all be on show.
Belfast: Reflections on 1916 Exhibition From March 8 Belfast City Hall Belfast City Council’s Decade of Centenaries Exhibition, exploring the Rising and the Somme.
Fermanagh 100 Years On: Remembering 1916 March 12 Westville Hotel, Enniskillen Conference from Fermanagh & Omagh District Council Museum Services focusing on local, personal stories.
North Belfast Remembers March 19 HMS Caroline, Belfast Inter-generational project combining history and arts. Participants will set sail glass bottles with LED lights and details of individual men and women from North Belfast who served in the First World War.
What Did, and Does 1916 Mean Now?
‘The Shame of Easter Week’ – Unionist Responses to the Easter Rising
March 18 Linen Hall Library, Belfast
March 24 St Mary’s University College, Belfast
The Open University will lead a conference examining the significance of 1916 and its context across Britain and Ireland with historians Philip Orr, Dr Marie Coleman and Irish News Editor Noel Doran.
Talk by Jason Burke on Edward Carson’s and other Unionists’ responses to the Rising, in particular the reaction of political Unionism, the Protestant churches, and grassroots Unionist sentiment. Organised by Féile an Phobail.
For more centenary events during March go to www.creativecentenaries.org
Highlight Festivals Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival March 2 - 6 Various, Belfast Annual music festival celebrating the art of songwriting in a series of concerts, showcases and music events.
Belfast Children’s Festival March 4 - 9 Various, Belfast One of the leading children’s arts festivals in the UK and Ireland, offering up a feast of cultural treats for ages 0 to 14.
Ulster Festival of Art & Design
FĂŠile an Earraigh
March 8 - 11 Ulster University Belfast Campus
March 21 - 28 Various, Belfast
The eighth Ulster Festival of Art & Design includes some of the most creative and inspiring minds from the film, fashion, music and business worlds.
Belfast’s Spring Festival returns with the very best music, spoken word, debates, discussions as well as a series of stunning musical headlining nights at Writer’s Square.
Imagine 2015: Festival of Politics and Ideas March 14 - 20 Various, Belfast A week-long festival celebrating the role of the citizen in local political and cultural life through workshops, film, comedy and lively debate.
Libraries NI Libraries NI celebrates Creativity Month March 1 - 31 Libraries across NI For the fifth successive year, Libraries NI is participating in Creativity Month. The programme offers the opportunity to participate in what promises to be an exciting and diverse range of free events in libraries across Northern Ireland, with something for everyone. Events and activities will include a Community Drama residency, two Writersin-Residence delivering creative writing programmes, Storyteller-in-Residence, author visits to reading groups based in libraries, Decade of Centenaries talks and discussions, a panel discussion about Derry’s walls, FabLab demonstrations, talks by visiting children’s authors and music events. Please ask for further information at your local library or visit the website www.librariesni.org.uk
Creativity Month in Colin
Creativity Month in Colin March 1 - 31 Various venues Wide-ranging programme of events and creative opportunities, including pottery, basket making, craft and circus workshops, and Creativity Day on March 16. Visits include Game of Thrones locations tour, Belfast Giants match, Ulster American Folk Park, Historical Tour of Dublin with Eamon Phoenix, and Titanic Belfast. Wheelworks Art Cart and a 100-seat mobile cinema will also be offering workshops and screenings in the Colin area during Creativity Month. Organised by the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership.
Highlight Conferences & Seminars Creative Connections Bridging Borders March 3 Everglades Hotel, Derry~Londonderry
Create: Innovate: Armagh Conference
Offering business owners the opportunity to collaborate, innovate and prosper with other creative sector organisations, while gaining advice from industry professionals.
March 1 The Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Coworking Saturday
A one-day celebration of creative entrepreneurship, cross-sector collaboration and innovation through experimentation, featuring keynote speaker Mark Miodownik.
March 5 The Thinking Cup Café, Belfast A one-day coworking experience for entrepreneurs, featuring sessions led by Eve Earley (Empowering Change) and Suzanne Murdock (The Hub, Newry).
Creative Training for Business March 10 Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Belfast A showcase event featuring mini-masterclasses demonstrating how creative experiences can help people – and their businesses – to be successful.
Digital Creative Expo March 11 South West College, Omagh
Creative Careers March 11, 15 Belfast Metropolitan College – Titanic Campus, Belfast North West Regional College, Derry~Londonderry An event for teachers and students aged 13 to 16, bringing together a wide range of industry professionals from across the creative sectors, facilitating interactive sessions and workshops.
Bringing together digital creatives for a day of workshops, keynotes and networking to raise awareness of the advantages of adopting a creative approach in business.
Creativity Showcase March 22 Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast Business representatives will speak about, and demonstrate, their awardwinning arts products and offer new perspectives on using arts and culture to boost your business.
Starting and Growing a Craft Business March 31 Ballymena Business Centre A one-day networking and information event offering craft makers advice on starting and growing their own businesses. A new Craft Network will be launched for residents of the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area.
Family Events Digital Fabrication and 3D Printing Family Days March 5, 19 Ulster Museum, Belfast Two family days allowing people of all ages to explore museum objects in new ways using the latest digital fabrication technologies, including 3D printers and laser cutters, with the Nerve Centre’s FabLab team.
Little Legends Reading Rooms The Big Bang Theatre Various dates W5, Belfast Help the time travelling explorers to find a way of producing enough energy to start their malfunctioning time machine, complete with drama, danger, humour and exciting experiments.
Every Friday at 11am Easons, Derry~Londonderry Kids can experience a different story every week, exploring what it is like to become their favourite characters. Suitable for ages 0 to 8.
The Emigrant’s Farewell March 16, 17 Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh Re-live the dramatic experience of emigrants leaving for America during the 1700s, complete with music, song and dance.
Craft Tour for Families March 26 Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh Learn new skills at this one-day traditional crafts tour. Featuring people making pokers and performing magic, spinning wool and spinning yarns, making soda and succotash.
DiaoChan: The Rise of the Courtesan Bambi March 4,5 The MAC Swiss theatre company Vorstadt bring their enchanting play Bambi to Belfast for the first time. Recommended for ages 8+.
March 31 Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast An adaption of the traditional Chinese legend, DiaoChan: The Rise of the Courtesan is a tale of lust, jealousy and revenge. Suitable for ages 12+.
Nerve Centre / CultureTECH Events MinecraftEdu Teacher Training Days Mar 1 - 31 Across NI Learn how Minecraft can be used in the classroom and how to get hands on with this powerful teaching tool.
Creative Centenaries Urban Villages Outreach Programme Brick Wonders Exhibition March 1 - 31 Nerve Centre Using LEGO® bricks, artist Warren Elsmore creates stunning ancient, modern and natural wonders.
SYNC Records Presents... International Women’s Day March 8 Café Nervosa Youth-led record label SYNC Records presents an evening of performances in celebration of International Women’s Day.
March 1 - 31 Urban Villages areas in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry Schools and community digital skills workshops exploring 1916 and facilitated visits.
Techies in Residence Idea Creation Days March 22, 24 Venues TBC Hands-on workshops looking at how your charity or community organisation can use technology to come up with new solutions, solve problems and help generate revenue streams.
FabLab / Maker Events Open Access Fridays
Curious Communities
March 4, 11, 18 FabLab Nerve Centre
March 11, 23 Lisnagelvin Playing Fields, Derry Churchtown Community Centre, Castlederg
Try your hand at making something using an array of digital fabrication machines, take a tour of the Lab, or simply meet some like-minded makers at the FabLab’s Open Days. All welcome.
FabLab Nerve Centre, STEM Aware and CultureTECH will be running free workshops on everything from digital fabrication and Minecraft to making your own space rocket!
Maker Assembly NI March 16 Farset Labs, Belfast An exploration into maker culture, featuring a series of discussions around its meaning, politics, history and future.
Future Artist-Maker Labs After School Drop-ins March 7, 21 FabLab Nerve Centre Creative workshops especially designed for makers, tinkerers and creatives. Open to everyone aged aged 8 to 16.
March 1 - 31 FabLab Nerve Centre A month-long residency by artist Jim Ricks creating new art using FabLab tools and technologies, and an accredited training programme in FabLab tools and technologies for young people from the city.
At A Glance March 1 Create: Innovate: Armagh Conference The Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Creativity Month in Colin, Colin Neighbourhood Partnership Belfast (events running throughout Mar)
March 2 Generation Innovation Night of Ambition 2016 St George’s Market, Belfast
Sutemos Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre
Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival Various, Belfast (Runs until Mar 6)
March 3 Blinkered, The Playhouse Derry~Londonderry
Creative Connections Bridging Borders Everglades Hotel, Derry~Londonderry
The Abbey Rebels of 1916 Newry City Library
Pottery Day at Craft Northern Ireland Craft NI Resource Space, Belfast
Beyond Skin presents Orchestre des Réfugiés et Amis Clayton Hotel, Belfast
Paula Kane Creating and Managing Events Boom! Studios, Bangor
March 4 Alternative Energies Youth Dance Group Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney
March 4 City of Derry Drama Festival Waterside Theatre Derry~Londonderry (Runs until Mar 12)
Belfast Children’s Festival Various, Belfast (Runs until Mar 9)
Belfast Children’s Festival: Bambi The MAC, Belfast
Belfast Children’s Festival: Everything That Isn’t Me The MAC, Belfast
Borderline Arts and Cultural Festival 2016 The Termon Complex & The Methodist Youth Hall, Kesh
Belfast Children’s Festival: The Way Back Home The Lyric Theatre, Belfast
Women’s Work Festival Various, Belfast (Runs until Mar 8)
March 5 The History of Song Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Coworking Saturday The Thinking Cup Café, Belfast
Future Armagh: Heritage and Exploration Workshop AmmA Centre, Armagh
Digital Fabrication and 3D Printing Family Days Ulster Museum, Belfast
According To Their Lights, Stories of Irishmen in the British Army at Easter 1916 Banbridge Library
Exit by Eaman Craig The Playhouse, Derry~Londonderry
Purely Poetry Open Mic Night Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Train the Trainer Session PRONI, Belfast
Willow Weaving Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
The Suffragette Cause Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Felt Bag Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
March 5 Little Legends Reading Rooms Easons, Derry~Londonderry
March 8 EQ: International Women’s Day Ballycastle Corrymeela, Ballycastle
‘Meet the Makers’ – Craft Demonstration Day Ard Crafts, Newtownards
Belfast Children’s Festival: Pause and Effect The MAC, Belfast
The Big Bang Theatre W5, Belfast
March 6 Vintage Style Stationery Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Be a ‘Smithy’ for a Day Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Voice for the Actor Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Japanese Calligraphy Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Techniques for Charcoal Drawing Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
March 7 Belfast Children’s Festival: All In Arts and Disability Forum, Belfast
Women’s Work Through the Years – Afternoon Tea and Exploration PRONI, Belfast Ugandan Dance & Storytelling Workshop, Bangor Carnegie Library
March 8 Belfast Children’s Festival: Eilidh MacAskill The MAC, Belfast
Belfast: Reflections on 1916 Exhibition Belfast City Hall
Ulster University Festival of Art & Design Ulster University, Belfast Campus (Runs until Mar 11)
SYNC Records Presents… International Women’s Day Café Nervosa, Derry~Londonderry
Belfast Children’s Festival: If only Rosa could do Magic The MAC, Belfast
Belfast Children’s Festival: If only Blue could be a Superhero The MAC, Belfast
March 9 Big Telly’s Spring Chickens ‘Invisible People’ Exhibition, Richmond Centre Derry~Londonderry (Runs until Mar 18)
Suteminis Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre
Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: Pictorial Storytelling – Kitty Crowther Duncairn Centre for Culture and Arts, Belfast
Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: The Stone Tapes – A Sound Art Installation Giant’s Ring, Lisburn
Sutemos Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre
March 10 Creative Training for Business Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Belfast
‘Creating Space’ Session Boom! Studios, Bangor
Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: Transmission Ballycastle Harbour Master’s Office, Ballycastle
Belfast Fashion Week 2016 Venue TBC, Belfast (Runs until Mar 13)
Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: Culture, Identity and Design – Fernando Gutiérrez Conor Lecture Theatre, Ulster University Belfast Campus
Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: Black Lives Matter in the Age of Obama Gary Younge Auditorium, Ulster University Coleraine Campus
At A Glance March 11 Creative Careers Belfast Metropolitan College – Titanic Campus, Belfast
Alternative Energies Youth Dance Group Joey Dunlop Centre, Ballymoney
HRSE Season Ensemble: Reich The Space SERC, Bangor
Digital Creative Expo South West College, Omagh
Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: Still/Life/Syria – Osama Esid Conor Lecture Theatre, Ulster University Belfast Campus
March 12 Future Armagh: Techniques and Ideation Workshop AmmA Centre, Armagh
Lobster Pot Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Fermanagh 100 Years On: Remembering 1916 Westville Hotel, Enniskillen
Costume: From Head to Toe Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Drawn Threadwork Lavender Bag Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Little Legends Reading Rooms Easons, Derry~Londonderry
March 13 Traditional Printmaking Workshop (Speed Session) Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Pretty and Practical: Handmade Soap Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Memories of Women: Life in the Past Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Contact Improvisation Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
March 13 Accent for Actors Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Bladesmithing: Whittling Knife Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Dance Step Workshop: Foxtrot and Quickstep Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
March 14 Imagine 2016: Festival of Politics and Ideas Various, Belfast (Runs until Mar 20) March 15 Creative Careers North West Regional College, Derry~Londonderry
Game of Thrones Photography Tour Engage Live Derry~Londonderry
Gordon Osràm’s Funeral Riddell’s Warehouse, Belfast
March 16 Maker Assembly NI Farset Labs, Belfast
Waste No Time Street Skit Pop Up Democracy Castle Place, Belfast
The Emigrant’s Farewell Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh
Suteminis Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre
Sutemos Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre
HRSE Solo Series 3: Cello (David McCann) Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
March 17 The Emigrant’s Farewell Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh March 18 Big Telly’s Spring Chickens ‘Invisible People’ Exhibition Community Centre, Eglinton (Runs until Mar 24)
Alternative Energies Youth Dance Group Joey Dunlop Centre, Ballymoney
March 18 What Did, and Does 1916 Mean Now? Linen Hall Library, Belfast
March 23 Sutemos Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre
March 19 Embroidery Workshop 1 Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
March 24 Big Telly’s Spring Chickens ‘Invisible People’ Exhibition Dungiven Library (Runs until Mar 31)
Digital Fabrication and 3D Printing Family Days Ulster Museum, Belfast
Connected Crafts Farset Labs, Belfast
Mark Thomas – Trespass The Playhouse, Derry~Londonderry
North Belfast Remembers HMS Caroline, Belfast
Perceptions Workshop Skainos Centre, Belfast
Little Legends Reading Rooms Easons, Derry~Londonderry
Techies in Residence Ideas Creation Day Venue TBC
Three Songs on Love to Learn in Italian Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
‘The Shame of Easter Week’ – Unionist Response to the Easter Rising St Mary’s University College, Belfast
Studio Symphony Orchestra: Orchestral Masterpieces Ulster Hall, Belfast
The Virgin Father by Jimmy McAleavey The Playhouse, Derry~Londonderry
March 20 Spring Blossom Acrylic Painting Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Japanese Sumi-E with Calligraphy Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
March 21 Connected Crafts Farset Labs, Belfast
Féile an Earraigh Various Belfast (Runs until Mar 28)
March 22 Creativity Showcase Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Northern Ireland Student Awards 2016 Black Box, Belfast
Techies in Residence Ideas Creation Day Venue TBC
Game Development Five-Day Workshop Farset Labs, Belfast
March 25 Alternative Energies Youth Dance Group Joey Dunlop Centre, Ballymoney ‘A Perfect Setting’ Exhibition The Loft Gallery, Portaferry March 26 Craft Tour for Families Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh
Embroidery Workshop 2 Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Arabic Salsa Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Little Legends Reading Rooms Easons, Derry~Londonderry
HRSE Season Ensemble: Edge of Reflection Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
March 30 Sutemos Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre
Music Unite at The MAC The MAC, Belfast
March 31 Starting and Growing a Craft Business Ballymena Business Centre
DiaoChan: The Rise of the Courtesan Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
New events added daily. For more details and the full events programme, go to www.creativityni.org