On September 1, the Clonakilty Community Arts Centre (CCAC) was given the keys to No. 8 Kent Street, a council building situated opposite the Old Mill Library. CCAC has been granted six months at No. 8 under an inaugural ‘meanwhile use’ scheme being trialled by Cork County Council. It is intended as a lifeline whilst CCAC searches for a more permanent residence. Its presence on Kent Street is more than that, however: it is a glimpse of what a permanent community arts centre – even a small one – might look like and the impact it might have on the social and economic wellbeing of the town.
In its first week of operation at the new address, CCAC has partnered with the Clonakilty International Guitar Festival, hosting LOWmountain on September 19, launched its Autumn Members Exhibition, hosted Clonakilty Open Mic (first Sunday of the month), the CAT (Clonakilty Artists Together) collective and welcomed approximately 200 visitors though its doors. Looking forward, an exhibition of student work from St. Joseph’s NS is planned, a printmaking showcase is in the pipeline and a programme of classes is taking shape.
Six months is a small window for arts programming, but it is one the community should embrace: if you have an arts event-book launch, poetry reading, acoustic gig, exhibition, micro-theatre–a workshop you wish to run, or if you need rehearsal space, then email the team at CCAC: [email protected]. Conversely, if you are an arts lover, or simply curious, please come and check out the exhibitions, workshops and events on offer, details of which can be found at clonarts.ie. The more this is used and benefited from, the stronger the case for a permanent centre.
On the flip side of the above is the reality that the doors will once again close if a more permanent space is not found. CCAC is therefore appealing to property owners in Clonakilty, who have vacant space, to consider a longer period of ‘meanwhile use’ for the benefit of the town. Meanwhile use is a little like house sitting: the idea is that occupancy prevents dereliction, stimulates social and economic activity, thus maintaining property value. Tenures for meanwhile use do not need to be open-ended, they can be negotiated, or set in stone – as with No. 8 Kent St. for a short period only. The value to the community is enormous, as it is usually non-profits or creatives who fill the space. If you have ideas regarding this, please get in touch with the team: [email protected].
Looking forward to seeing you at No. 8 Kent Street!
