What is SOURCE?

SOURCE developing rural creativity is a cross border initiative which aims to generate growth in the creative industries sector through training, infrastructure and marketing activities. The programme is targeting areas of Leitrim, Sligo and Fermanagh and is funded by the European Union INTERREG IIIA Programme Ireland/N Ireland 2000 -2006.

The Creative Industries Include:

Craft Design and Production
Textiles
Fashion
Software and Computer Services
Architecture
Music - recording, music publishing, and live performance
The Performing Arts
Advertising and PR
Publishing & The Media

Lorna Hewson, Project Co-ordinator and Jacinta Freeman, Project Officer

Achieving the Objectives

"The overall objective of the programme is to diversify, develop and strengthen the rural economy in disadvantaged cross border areas through creative industries"

This will be achieved as follows:

Development of creative Workspace facilities

A series of grant-aided mini landmark projects (one per region) of designed studio space to flexibly accommodate small creative businesses. The action will transform derelict buildings into vibrant creative ventures, at the heart of rural communities, in a very cost effective way. Please find below the Application Form and Guidance Notes for this scheme. The closing date is 5pm on 31st March 2006.

Guidance Notes
Application Form

Training, Workshops and one to one mentoring

One of the ways that the initiative will be delivered is through a training and development programme. The training programme consist of the following courses:

Creative Start
Training and support in connection to becoming self-employed achieved either through setting up a small business or working freelance and undertaking commission work.

Information Leaflet
Application Form

Business Growth
Business enhancement training and professional development for those currently working in the cultural industries in the region.

Information Leaflet
Application Form

Innovative Design Workshops
Trends Forecasting, Product Design and Product Development.

Information Leaflet
Application Form

Progressive Topic Workshops
Creative thinking, Marketing yourself, Creative problem solving and Impressing Clients.

Information Leaflet
Application Form

Regional Resource Centres

The Regional Resource Centres will provide information services for the entire creative, craft and design sector in the region. This will include:

An information Centre and Library
It will provide a central information resource to collate materials generated through research activities, all training materials used and trends forecasting portfolios.

Buyers Resource
This meeting facility will allow for the promotion of inward buying visits e.g. fashion, craft, deign & print where we will target key industry buyers and invite them to the regional facility where they will have prearranged appointments with the creative businesses in a conducive environment.

ICT/Media Centre
The computer station will include the latest technology in desktop publishing, Computer Aided Design packages and research tools which creative business can access on a pre-arranged appointment basis.

Ideas Database
An ideas database which contains good examples of creative innovations that could be the starting impetus or building-blocks toward sustainable business ventures.

Research Officer
Provision of a research, information and advisory service. It will be run on a clinic basis with the Research Officer in attendance on a bi-monthly basis.

For further information, please contact:
The Source project, C/O Arigna LEADER, Enterprise Centre, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim
Tel: (00353) 71 9646186 or email: jacinta@ruralcreativity.com