The Art of Connection
VISUAL
The Art of Connection
Conversations, collaborations and international perspectives
Saturday 11 July | 10am to 1pm
Event Details
Times & Dates:
Saturday 11 July | 10am to 1pm
Event Categories:
Workshop Talk
Admission:
FREE – Booking Essential
Age Suitability:
18+
Venue:
The Model, The Mall, Sligo
Are you an artist, producer, or working in the arts in any capacity? Would you like to spend a morning connecting with peers, sharing ideas, and exploring how meaningful relationships can open up new creative opportunities?
Promenade and Cairde invite you to join us for The Art of Connection.
Featuring guest speakers from Ireland and abroad, the event will examine the role of collaboration, partnership and international exchange in developing artistic practice and building sustainable careers. Through panel discussions, case studies and informal networking opportunities, participants will gain insight into how creative connections are formed, how projects evolve across borders, and how artists and organisations can work together to create ambitious and impactful work.
Whether you are an emerging artist looking to expand your network, an established practitioner seeking new collaborators, or a producer interested in international perspectives, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, make connections and explore the possibilities that emerge when artists and organisations come together.
The participation of our international guest speakers is supported by Culture Ireland & Promenade.
Guest Speakers
Lucy Medlycott Director ISACS (Irish Street Arts, Circus, Spectacle Network)
Boomer Stacy Interim Managing Director, PuSh Festival, Canada
Zoe Munn Cultural Programmer, Green Man, Wales
David Berga International Arts Producer
MC
Ciara O’Mahony Promenade
Schedule
10.00 - 10.15 Arrival / Registration
10:15 – 10.30 Welcome and Intro to Event
10.30 – 11.30 Panel talk on theme followed by Q + A
11.30 – 11.40 Short comfort break
11.45 - 12.15 2 x mini Presentations (ca. 10 mins each)
12.15 – 1 Light Lunch & informal networking
1 to 2 Mini Mentoring Sessions
Mini Mentoring Sessions with Promenade & associates
Need advice on your next creative step? Book a free 15-minute mentoring session with the Promenade team and associates. Bring one specific question and leave with practical guidance, an objective outlook and useful next steps.
To book a session email contact@promenade.ie and use the subject line: Mentoring Session Cairde
Panel Biographies
Ciara O'Mahony
Ciara O'Mahony is an arts consultant, producer, and accessibility specialist. She has extensive experience working across festivals, venues, local authorities, and cultural organisations in Ireland and internationally. Her work focuses on improving accessibility, audience development, participation, and inclusion within the arts. Ciara is widely recognised for her expertise in developing practical access strategies and supporting organisations to embed inclusive practices across programming, communications, and operations. Through Promenade, she has advised numerous festivals and arts organisations, helping them create more equitable and welcoming experiences for artists, participants, and audiences.
Zoë Munn
Zoë Munn is a senior producer and cultural programmer associated with Green Man Festival, one of the UK's most respected independent arts and music festivals. Her work spans live performance, outdoor arts, artist development, and interdisciplinary programming. At Green Man, she has played a key role in developing opportunities for emerging and established artists across music, theatre, literature, visual arts, and participatory projects. Zoë is particularly interested in creating meaningful connections between artists, audiences, and place, and is recognised for supporting innovative work that combines artistic excellence with strong community engagement and environmental awareness.
Boomer Stacy
Boomer Stacey (he/him) is a mixed-blood settler/immigrant with roots extending to Cornwall (England), Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University, with a focus on photography, painting and drawing. Prior to joining PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, Boomer has served as the Executive Director of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) as well as an Artistic Advisor at the New Victory Theatre in New York City. He has also provided leadership for the International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) in Philadelphia, PA, as Executive Artistic Director, and for the Milk International Children’s Festival of the Arts at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto as Artistic Director. Boomer exhibits nomadic tendencies, is a social introvert, loves to cook, excels at gazing into campfires, loves a good IPA or single malt, and lives to explore the coastlines of the world.
David Berga
David Berga is an independent tour booker and agent based in Catalonia, with more than two decades of experience in the field of performing arts in public space. He works with artists, companies, and festivals across Europe and other regions, developing touring opportunities and artistic exchanges. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with creators from many countries, including Ireland.
He also provides tailored advice to performing arts companies seeking to strengthen their presence and visibility in international markets. He regularly attends festivals, arts markets, showcases, and professional gatherings, where he exchanges ideas and experiences with artists and presenters from different cultural contexts.
More information about his work can be found at www.davidberga.cat.
Lucy Medlycott
Lucy Medlycott is Chief Executive of ISACS, Ireland's leading advocate for outdoor arts, circus, spectacle, and public-space performance. She has over two decades of experience working nationally and internationally in festival development, cultural policy, artist support, and sector advocacy. Under her leadership, ISACS has become a key organisation supporting artists and producers through training, networking, international partnerships, and professional development opportunities. Lucy is a passionate advocate for the role of outdoor arts in creating vibrant public spaces and fostering cultural participation across diverse communities.
PROMENADE
Founded in 2021 by Kath Gorman, Promenade brings extensive experience in producing and supporting multi-disciplinary works in different settings, strategic development, fundraising, partnership development, mentoring and training.
Through consultancy, training, research, and project delivery, Promenade works with festivals, venues, local authorities, and arts organisations to create more welcoming and equitable cultural experiences. The organisation has become a leading voice in Ireland on access and participation, supporting partners to embed accessibility into artistic planning, production, communications, and audience engagement. Promenade also collaborates on national and international initiatives that explore how arts and culture can be more inclusive, representative, and responsive to diverse communities.