A new music project has been launched in Limerick to harness the power of activism in young people.
The Autonomy Project is a bold initiative that focuses on a global resurgence in art and youth activism, providing a platform to explore how individual autonomy can be expressed in society.
Arts Council funding was awarded on the basis of a joint submission from Limerick City and County Council and project coordinator Lisa McLoughlin who is a locally based dance artist and academic.
“The Autonomy Project will bring together the work of internationally recognised artists, Limerick based youth groups and academics to explore the theme of autonomy across a wide spectrum of voices or perspectives,” Ms McLoughlin explained.
“At its centre, Phase One of this project proposes to ask the young artists of Limerick: what do you want to change and how?”
Limerick Arts and Culture Officer Sheila Deegan said that the Arts Council strategy for public engagement in the arts includes a focus on young people who are regarded as a key focus of their relationship with local government.
“Alongside this strategic objective, the Taoiseach launched Creative Youth – A Plan to Enable the Creative Potential of Every Child and Young Person. Limerick is leading the way with the Autonomy Project in delivering these strategic objectives and with the Autonomy Project we recognise that young people are the curators of their own lived experience, navigating the daily realities of life in a way which is both unique and familiar to them, Ms Deegan explained”.
Phase One of The Autonomy Project will be delivered in partnership with organisations such as Limerick Youth Theatre, Dance Limerick, The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Music Generation and GOSHH with a performance at Limerick Fringe next April.
An international symposium led by Dr Niamh Nic Ghabhann with contributors on art and autonomy will also take place in April at the University of Limerick.
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