{"id":4783,"date":"2019-03-27T15:00:25","date_gmt":"2019-03-27T15:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/a-o.catalystdna.com\/march\/?page_id=4783"},"modified":"2025-05-28T10:34:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T10:34:12","slug":"cultural-companions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ageandopportunity.ie\/arts\/cultural-companions\/","title":{"rendered":"Cultural Companions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Cultural <\/strong>Companions<\/strong><\/h3> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Do you enjoy attending arts and cultural events, such as, plays, films, shows, concerts, exhibitions or other events? Would you go to more if you could go with someone who shares your interests?<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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What is Cultural Companions?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Cultural Companions aims to provide increased opportunities for older people wishing to engage with Ireland’s vibrant arts and culture scene (and arts organisations wishing to expand their audiences), but who have no one to go with. The scheme creates local and voluntary networks of older people interested in the arts and culture in order that they may accompany each other to arts events.<\/p>\n

How does it work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Age & Opportunity works with local authorities and communities to support the development of Cultural Companions initiatives around Ireland, including to date initiatives in Clare, Cork, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary and Wexford.<\/p>\n

Clare<\/strong> \u2013 For more details contact Shanelle Waring at swaring@clarecoco.ie<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cork<\/strong> \u2013 For more details about Cork Cultural Companions see here<\/a> or contact them on 0214500688 or email Culture@muintircork.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Mayo<\/strong> – For more details see here<\/a> or contact Saoirse at mayoarts@mayococo.ie<\/a> or phone 094-9064000<\/p>\n

Roscommon<\/strong> \u2013 For more details contact contact Rhona at 090 66 37100 or rmcgrath@roscommoncoco.ie<\/a><\/p>\n

Sligo<\/strong> \u2013 See here for more details<\/a> or contact Mia Blake <\/span>at the Hawkswell Theatre via culturalcompanions@hawkswell.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Tipperary<\/strong> \u2013 For more details\u00a0contact E\u00f3in Kaar at eoin.kaar@tipperarycoco.ie<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Wexford \u2013 <\/strong>For more details see here<\/a> or contact \u00a0\u00dana Cahill in Wexford County Council on 053-9196564 or email una.cahill@wexfordcoco.ie<\/a><\/p>\n

If you are interested in Cultural Companions and would like to see one started in your area, contact your local Arts Officer to request a scheme in partnership with Age & Opportunity. You can find a list of Arts Officer emails here.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cultural Companions Network<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is a network of organisations that run Cultural Companions, brought together by Age & Opportunity. The network meets annually to share updates, advice and support for developing the initiative. For new members Age & Opportunity provides information and resources to help with establishing Cultural Companions in your area.\u00a0<\/p>\n

How can I get involved as a member?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Members can join their local Cultural Companions (listed above). If one does not yet exist in your area, you can contact your local authority or the Arts team with a request to set one up.<\/p>\n

How can I get involved as a local authority?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Local authorities can get involved by contacting Age & Opportunity for support in setting up a scheme. Toolkits for local authorities interested in developing the scheme in their county are available upon request. New organisers will also join the Cultural Companions Network and benefit from the experience of those who have long established schemes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Contact<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For information speak to our Arts team.<\/p>\n

\u00a001 913 3921<\/a>
arts@ageandopportunity.ie<\/a><\/p>\n

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT<\/strong>:<\/strong> Cultural Companions is intended <\/em>to <\/em>encourage and facilitate more older people to participate in the arts, and to enhance the experience of audiences.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Arts Initiatives:<\/h3> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n Bealtaine Festival<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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A month long collaborative festival in May featuring performances, exhibitions, discussions, workshops and readings by artists working in different art forms all over Ireland. Find out more here<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n

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\n Cultural Companions<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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Works with the local authorities to create local networks of like-minded people interested in arts and culture who can accompany each other to cultural events. Find out more<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Artists' Supports<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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Age & Opportunity runs a number of initiatives that support artists. Find out more.<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n

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\n National Arts in Nursing Homes Day<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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A day that celebrates the creative activity taking place in Irish care settings. Find out more.<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Supports for Care Settings<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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We have a range of creative supports for care settings. Find out more.<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n

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\n Supports for Arts Organisations<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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Age & Opportunity supports arts organisations through a number of initiatives. Find out more here.<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Arts and Creative Charter<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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The Charter\u00a0is a set of eight commitments to older arts participants, audiences and artists in Ireland Find out more.<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n

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\n Arts Resources<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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We have a variety of resources available here.<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Arts Initiatives:<\/h3> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n Bealtaine Festival<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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A month long festival in May featuring performances, exhibitions, discussions, workshops and readings by artists, and community groups, working in different art forms all over Ireland. Find out more here<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\n Cultural Companions<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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Creates local networks of like-minded people interested in arts and culture who can accompany each other to cultural events. Find out more<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\n National Arts in Nursing Homes Day<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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A day that celebrates the creative activity taking place in Irish care settings. Find out more.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n \"Artists' <\/span>\n\n \n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Artists' Supports<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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Age & Opportunity runs a number of initiatives that support artists. Find out more.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\n Supports for Arts Organisations<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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Age & Opportunity supports arts organisations through a number of initiatives. Find out more here.<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\n Supports for Care Settings<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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We have a range of creative supports for care settings. Find out more.<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\n Arts Resources<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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We have a variety of Arts Resources available here.<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\n Arts and Creative Charter<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
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The Charter\u00a0is a set of eight commitments to older arts participants, audiences and artists in Ireland Find out more.<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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We believe that, whether you are 8 or 80 years old, we all should have access and opportunities to attend and participate in the arts and to realise our creative potential. Fresh thinking, bold experimentation and creativity are all fundamental to delivering a high quality of life for older people<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>

Research shows that arts programmes involving music, visual arts and drama, among other activities, have a profound influence on the quality of life of older people, with positive impacts on health, psychological well-being, confidence and autonomy as well as other benefits such as:<\/span><\/p>

  • happiness<\/span><\/strong><\/li>
  • mental wellbeing<\/span><\/strong><\/li>
  • reduced stress<\/span><\/strong><\/li>
  • improved cognition<\/span><\/strong><\/li>
  • sense of identity and personhood<\/span><\/strong><\/li>
  • increased self-esteem and confidence<\/span><\/strong><\/li>
  • reduced boredom.<\/span><\/strong><\/li><\/ul> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Cultural Companions Do you enjoy attending arts and cultural events, such as, plays, films, shows, concerts, exhibitions or other events? 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