INTRODUCTION / HISTORY / PEOPLE / TCA BOARD
TALLAGHT COMMUNITY ARTS is a pro-active arts development organisation working with local communities, schools and youth groups to activate arts programmes in line with the needs of the wider Tallaght community: geographically, culturally and socially.
TCA’s work focuses on participatory arts, encouraging people of all ages to be involved in the making of art. Our work embraces gallery-based art, site-specific performance, open-air events and collaborative arts commissions.
Founded in July 1996, over the last decade, and in more than one location, the organisation has worked with countless artists as well as involving hundreds of individuals and community groups in Tallaght in the creation of artistic work.
TCA’s aim is to work in partnership with local and national agencies in a cross-sector approach to sustainable community development, which puts people and culture at the centre.
Tallaght Community Arts is approved under Section 484 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 for tax-deductible donations. Company Registration Number: 251538. Registered Charity Number: CHY 11678.
Tallaght Community Arts Centre opened to the public in July 1996, located in Virginia House, a restored 1837 farmhouse, near The Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght. In 2003, the Virginia House site was sold in order to generate funds for the development of a purpose built arts centre for South Dublin County, located near the Luas at Tallaght Cross, in which the organisation would be based.
Over the last 12 years, TCA has cultivated and supported the arts and artists in Tallaght. Since 1996, the organisation has developed meaningful working relationships with a number of community initiatives and has been active in the areas of intercultural action and activities, Traveller projects, drug rehabilitation, youth at risk, lone parents, young probationer and children with learning difficulties.
Outreach and Learning Programmes for both children and adults have focused on using the arts as a tool for personal development, education and fun. TCA has a long working relationship with a number of national and secondary schools in South Dublin County and has teamed with a range of professional artists, writers and actors to facilitate quality arts projects within schools.
TCA has developed a strong partnership with IMMA’s ( Irish Museum of Modern Art) - National Programme, and together both organisations deliver a programme in Tallaght on an annual basis that promotes excellence, inclusiveness and accessibility to contemporary art at a national and international level.
In July 2003, we moved to a temporary site in Tallaght Village. The move offered many new opportunities for the public to engage in the arts, but inhibited the continued development of the artist-in-residence programme, which we anticipate will continue in the new venue.
We have continued to deliver an active arts programme from the Village Square venue, and our temporary home has facilitated a lively, multi-disciplinary arts and exhibitions programme, encompassing literature, music, visual arts, and performance. In addition, members of the community have actively participated in arts workshops and specific arts projects in a range of disciplines and areas of interest.
TCA has actively contributed to the development plans of the new South Dublin County Arts Centre and we look forward to the opportunities that the organisation’s move to its new custom-built home in late 2008 will bring.
TCA DIRECTOR
Tony Fegan, theatre director and arts learning practitioner, took up his position as Director of Tallaght Community Arts in August 2007. Previously he was Director of Learning at Lift (London International Festival of Theatre) for 15 years where he established an international and intercultural learning programme with a major focus on participatory arts work with children and young people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds across London.
Tallaght Community Arts Board
Avril Bailey
Clare Creely
Brian Lawlor
Janice Fleming is a Director of Creely Fleming & Co, Registered Auditors and Management Consultants, established in 1996 and based in Tallaght.
John Hannon
John Conroy
Paul Kelly