CurrentLee Arts Festival to host ambitious programme of events

2 Apr 2024

• One day festival at Cork Opera House to celebrate Cork’s vibrant arts and culture scene.
• Artists and culture creators will join forces to present work across all genres.
• The festival is produced by the students of the MA in Arts Management and Creative Producing students at the Department of Theatre (School of Film, Music & Theatre), UCC.

The programme has been announced for the CurrentLee Arts Festival, which takes place on Wednesday, 10 April at Cork Opera House. The festival celebrates the past, present and future of Cork across a programme of music, dance, comedy and theatre.

The interactive event is produced by the students of the MA in Arts Management and Creative Producing at the Department of Theatre at the School of Film, Music and Theatre, University College Cork. By producing a one-day festival at Cork Opera House, the festival curators aim to showcase the vibrant community of independent artists and champion artistic excellence across art forms.

The programme includes ‘Leeside Promenade’, a celebration of Cork’s arts scene through a showcase of music, dance and comedy; ‘See Memories Attached’, an immersive exhibition exploring the inter-generational lives of six people; and ‘Cork’s Corner’ comprises live music and open mic sessions celebrating community creativity.

The festival will close with ‘Conversations with Strangers’, a free once-off event where everyone is invited to respond to intriguing questions in open dialogue. Questions will cover a range of topics and ideas designed to spark curiosity and make connections with strangers in a fun, informal setting.

Eibhlín Gleeson, Cork Opera House CEO, said: “It's a pleasure to welcome UCC’s Arts Management and Creative Producing MA students back to Cork Opera House this year and we are very much looking forward to working with them on the CurrentLee Arts Festival. Cork Opera House is delighted to play its part in helping this cohort of incredible arts producers emerge into the industry, CurrentLee is full of fresh and innovative programming an ideal platform for these new producers. We look forward to hosting this festival and its audience at Cork Opera House.”

Daniel Cremin, MA in Arts Management and Creative Producing student, said: “It has been exciting to work as part of a group of international students from diverse artistic backgrounds and to host an event that celebrates our collective interests in creativity, connection and the essence of Cork here at the Cork Opera House.”

“In developing the concept for CurrentLee, we saw Cork city as our canvas and we wanted to create a space for shared moments of connection for people from all backgrounds that respond to the times we live in. The events appeal to all age ranges and we are offering a mix of free and ticketed events,” Amy O’Callaghan, MA in Arts Management and Creative Producing student, said.

Dr Marie Kelly, Programme Director of the MA in Arts Management and Creative Producing at UCC, said “The Department of Theatre is extremely proud of our student’s achievements in bring CurrentLee Festival to Cork Opera House this April. This Festival’s vibrant and inclusive programming is a true reflection of the MA programme’s ethos and the success of UCC’s collaborative partnership with Cork Opera House as a ‘Learning Theatre’.”

Tickets can now be booked for all events on www.corkoperahouse.ie or direct from the Box Office on (021) 427 0022.