The ‘SOURCE - Developing Rural Creativity’ programme recently launched its programme of development workshops as part of its cross-border initiative to generate growth in the creative industries sector. SOURCE began the workshop programme with two training workshops, one delivered in Belleek, Co Fermanagh entitled ‘The Brain Game’ (creative thinking) and one delivered in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim entitled ‘Funky Business’ (marketing). The sessions are part of the SOURCE training programme which runs until the end of 2007, and will be hosted in Counties Fermanagh, Sligo and Leitrim. Two other workshops – ‘Suduko for Softies’ (creative problem solving) and ‘Knock ‘Em Dead!’ (impressing clients) are being run in June and September, although all workshops will be run in all counties on a number of occasions over the course of the programme.
‘The Brain Game’ workshop gave the participants new ways to generate ideas and encourage innovation. ‘Funky Business’ looked at tips and tricks on how to stand out from the crowd, and looked at a range of ideas and concepts to help promote yourself intelligently and creatively. Both workshops were very practical and participative and the trainees had fun!
The workshops have been delivered by the Fermanagh-based company, Green Hat. Green Hat provides training, consultancy and facilitation and specialises in working with and for creative industries. Between them, Green Hat’s trainers have worked on projects and activities as diverse as sculpture trails, arts development, jazz festivals, multi-lingual mural project, theatre & arts centre management, advertising and arts planning & evaluation.
John Gleeson from iThink Technology attended the Marketing Yourself Workshop and stated: “The workshop was excellent and gave me lots of ideas on how to market the Company. Bryony ensured that the workshop was very interactive and enjoyable”.
June Murphy, Sligo LEADER Manager stated that the aim of the workshops is to help stimulate creativity and was delighted to see how successful they have been to date. All the participants really enjoyed the workshops and found them very useful. The Creative Industries sector can only benefit from the SOURCE training programme and she would encourage potential participants not to miss this valuable opportunity.
For information on all SOURCE training, please contact the team at the Source project office at 00 353 (0) 71 9646186 or email: source@ruralcreativity.com
Participants at the ‘Funky Business’ workshop held recently in Manorhamilton, with Jacinta Freeman, SOURCE Project Officer (standing) & Bryony Flanagan of Green Hat (centre)
