Applications Open for Cork County Council’s “My Creative Wish”
Cork County Council has announced the return of “My Creative Wish”, an arts programme that aims to grant the creative wishes of children and young people in conjunction with Cruinniú na nÓg, Ireland’s national day of creativity for young people.
Through workshops in schools and local libraries across the county, “My Creative Wish” granted 35 wishes this year. The wishes granted included everything from architecture to acting, baking to ballet, circus skills to ceramics and design to dance.
With the support of Creative Ireland, Cork County Council would like to grant even more creative wishes in 2025 and has extended the call to youth groups working with young people aged 13-17.
Encouraging schools and youth groups to get involved, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll said,
Mayor
When we nurture creativity, we empower young people to explore new opportunities, to develop their talents and build confidence. Every young person deserves the right to be creative and the “My Creative Wish” programme offers a unique opportunity for young people to realise their dreams and harness new skills in the process.
Our Lady of Mercy National School in Bantry was one of the schools that had a wish granted this year, teacher Maeve Keane said, “These workshops were a huge asset to my class. Pupils gained confidence in something they would never have the opportunity to take part in outside the classroom. The facilitator was so approachable and each session went so smoothly each week. The final show was amazing and the pupil who won the competition was thrilled to have her family at the performance.”
Cork County Council’s Culture and Creativity team will select 16 winning wishes from young people up to age 17. The winners will receive six creative workshops facilitated by professional artists, for them and their class. As part of Cruinniú na nÓg 2025, the winning wishes will go on to take part in a school showcase in the form of an exhibition, concert or performance on Saturday the 7th of June 2025.
16 runner-up proposals will be selected to receive a free Creative Ireland funded creative workshop at their local Library.
Schools may request an application pack by emailing creativeireland@corkcoco.ie by November 18th. The deadline for receipt of applications is the 6th of December 2024.