Carlow Creatives

Building Carlow’s Creative Businesses

Carlow County Council through its Local Enterprise Office and Arts Office are launching “Carlow Creatives” a business development programmes for artists and craft makers in Carlow. Designed to support people in their journey to develop profitable businesses in the creative sector, it will provide an opportunity for people with an existing art or craft business to enhance their business through focusing on brand development and on line sales.

Launching the programme, the Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council Cllr. Tom O'Neill said, “We at Carlow County Council are delighted to lead the way in working with our growing number of Creative entrepreneurs that call Carlow home; particularly in this new online landscape which has become more important as a result of the last year.”  He went on to say, “the Local Enterprise Office and the Arts office have teamed up to offer these businesses this fantastic opportunity for networking, learning and ultimately growth”

Speaking about the programme, Gabrielle Carroll, Business Advisor with Carlow Local Enterprise Office said “Working with businesses in the Creative sector, we have identified that building these types of businesses can be particularly difficult as usually the creator or maker is the sole person in the business.

Gabrielle went on to explain, “It is challenging to be the one person in the business where you literally do everything; from the creation of your product right through to the marketing and sales. We’ve developed this programme with a combination of online group workshops and one to one mentoring. In this way participants can gain insight from peer learning as well as availing of one to one specific business mentoring.

Sinead Dowling, Arts Officer with County Carlow Council said, “There are lots of developments and supports for the creative sector in Carlow and we are keen that as many as possible take up these opportunities.” She added “The Arts Office regularly works with individuals who have their own businesses and teaming up with the Local Enterprise Office we can now offer these creative businesses further support to develop their on line presence and grow their businesses.”

An online information session for all interested in the Carlow Creatives Programme is scheduled for Thursday 10th June at 11am, please book online online at https://www.localenterprise.ie/Carlow/ or call 059 9129783

Notes to Editor

Further information contact Gabrielle Carroll Business Advisor Carlow Local Enterprise Office at 059 9129788