Creating Creatives – Ardavon

Arts & Health Cross-Border Project
Derry City & Strabane District Council | PEACEPLUS | Special EU Programmes Body

Creating Creatives – Ardavon was a six-month arts and health project delivered by CMAC for residents of Ardavon, supporting them while exploring creativity, storytelling and connection through a sustained programme of workshops and rehearsals.

The project was led with creative direction from Ciara McGeown, with choreography and on-stage creative support from Bethany Hughes (CMAC), and delivered in close collaboration with Fergal Hughes and John Francis Beattie. Together, the creative team supported residents to shape an original performance rooted in their own experiences, relationships and shared sense of belonging.

The project culminated in a celebratory performance of The Family We Choose at The Ebrington Hotel, presented as part of the wider Creating Creatives initiative. The performance reflected months of creative development and the strong sense of connection built within the group.

As a cross-border initiative, the programme also included rehearsal time at the Balor Theatre, Donegal, strengthening creative exchange and shared experiences across communities.

This project was managed by MayWe Events and supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Local Co-Designed Action Plan, funded through PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).