Project title
Description of initiative
Music Network was established by the Arts Council in 1986 to develop music on a nationwide basis. The organisation is committed to making music accessible to all
people in Ireland, regardless of circumstance or location.
Various healthcare centres around the country participated in the initial Concerts in Healthcare Environments project, including residential centres for older people, day
centres for older people, central remedial clinics, residential centres for adults with learning difficulties, educational training centres for young people with physical and/or
learning disabilities and one general hospital. In this initial project, 22 concerts were held in 22 centres. Nine musicians were involved in the concerts, which drew an estimated audience of 900 people.
Further information on the initiative
Themes: Culture and...
Keywords
Target group
Cultural field
Timeframe
Results, benefits, impact and lessons learnt
People living in healthcare environments and people with disabilities often have restricted access to live performances of music. The Music Network concerts exposed
some of the audience members to live performances of classical music for the first time in their lives.
The social impact of these performances was remarkable. The level of interaction offered by the musicians gave a context for the experience, but it also encouraged
communication between group members, both during and after the concerts. It was also noted that in centres where participants were exposed to other arts activities, the audience members were more vocal in expressing their preferences and in asking for repeat performances. This suggests that expectations are lower among groups who are less aesthetically engaged.
It was also noted that in centres where participants were exposed to other arts activities, the audience members were more vocal in expressing their preferences and in
asking for repeat performances. This suggests that expectations are lower among groups who are less aesthetically engaged.