Cultural Weave

22 October 2009

CULTURAL WEAVE OCTOBER 22ND DOWN CIVIC ARTS CENTRE

CULTURAL WEAVE – A CONFERENCE WITH A DIFFERENCE

The first of its kind in Northern Ireland, the theme of the Cultural Weave conference was how community arts can help with minority ethnic integration in the Down Area. The conference – which was a response to the recent racist attacks in Northern Ireland - also aimed to highlight and celebrate ethnic culture with performances and workshops from local artists.

Key speakers were Deepa Mann-Kler – well-known County Down artist – Geetha Upadhyaya, Director of Kalasangam in Bradford and Naz Koser,
Director of Ulfah Arts in Birmingham, Superintendent Karen Baxter, PSNI Community Safety, C District and Vicki Maguire, General Manager of Down Community Arts. The conference was chaired by Brenda Kent from Voluntary Arts Ireland.

Performances and workshops were given by: Krystene Borland (Egyptian Dance) Stella Tsang (Chinese calligraphy) and drummers Aidan Milligan and Wilson Magwera.

The organisers - Down Community Arts, the Community Arts Forum and ArtsEkta – were delighted with the success of the conference:

Said Vicki Maguire:

“This was a key event in the development of minority ethnic arts in the County Down area and highlights the important role that community arts can play in bringing people together from different cultures and backgrounds.

Everyone who attended the conference wants to see a continuation of this initiative on a regular basis.”

The conference was funded by the Community Relations Council, PSNI, the Equality Commission and Down District Council’s Community Relations and Development Section and took place in Down Civic Arts Centre, Downpatrick.

Ends

For more information, please contact:

Vicki Maguire, Down Community Arts, tel: 44616006
Heather Floyd, Community Arts Forum, tel: 90 242910
Nisha Tandon, ArtsEkta, tel: 90 231381