Youth Arts is an area that have been identified as important enough to remain operation under even Level 4 Lockdowns, and so the importance of recognising their role for communities must be acknowledged in the Development Plan. Youth Arts is an area that has been comparatively under-supported in Limerick, and the new plan is an opportunity to redress that.
Youth Arts has been shown to support the development of a more healthy and culturally engaged city elsewhere in the world. My recent experience setting up a Youth Arts organisation has further highlighted the demand for such organisations.
As for the development of a Culture of Film, the advent of Troy has created an opportunity that Limerick needs to embrace. Limerick has had a mixed history with filmmaking, from being home to one of the first ever talkies to being comparatively under-repressed on the national film stage. Troy has changed the way the city is perceived, and perceives itself, in relation to film, and this is an opportunity to support the development of a rich local, professional scene. Companies like Odyssey Studios already point to success stories.
Limerick is poised to be a great home for Young Filmmakers, with Fresh serving as a conduit to national and international opportunities. ELF has responded to that need, but I can only look upwards and see the possibilities that are in the region to nurture emerging talent and to support the creatives who will position Limerick on a global stage.