Problem addressed
Miriam Spollen, the founder had identified that there was a big gap in the provision of Arts, Lifestyle, and Community Education programmes that promote inclusion, bridge educational gaps, and counteract devaluation for people with disabilities. She set up three distinct but also interconnected programs to counteract this.
Innovative solution
Firstly there is The Connecting Artists Collective is a national community of artists from across Ireland, who are neurodivergent or have an intellectual disabilities. We provide a platform for collaboration, skill-sharing, and creative growth, supporting artists to develop their practice and showcase their work. Through exhibitions, mentorship, and networking opportunities, the Collective fosters inclusivity in the arts and empowers members to reach new audiences. Creative TY Connections (CTYC) is a multi-modular, innovative, community education programme that brings together adults with disabilities and transition year students for a mutual learning and development. It integrates financial, digital and interpersonal skills training while developing connections and friendships. TY students participate in CTYC to support the 1:1 learning needs of individuals with disabilities, ensuring an inclusive and collaborative learning environment. Their role is to facilitate engagement, foster connections, and enhance accessibility within the programme. This programme counters the isolation and disconnection adults with disabilities face when they leave secondary education. It builds confidence and a sense of belonging, empowering individuals with disabilities through creative engagement and acts as a pathway to community education by creating community ties and by supporting the development of practical skills, elevating the potential for socioeconomic engagement. Thirdly, there is Connections Arts Centre works collaboratively with individual organisations, designing bespoke programmes to suit the participants’ needs. Each programme starts with direct engagement with the participants to identify which particular skills they wish to develop. And now Connections Arts Centre has developed practical programmes educate organisations in how to make their in-house and public-facing communications more accessible, increasing awareness of the needs of people living with disabilities, and assisting in creating a working environment that is more inclusive of people with disabilities.
Key results and benefits
Connections Arts Centre empowers adults with disabilities through inclusive arts and training, both online and in-person. Since launching, it has:
Engaged 1,000+ participants across Ireland
Delivered 200+ creative and wellbeing sessions
Built a vibrant, accessible online learning platform
Enabled participants to gain confidence, skills, and social connection
Partnered with national bodies to promote disability inclusion through the arts
The Centre demonstrates a scalable, impactful model for creative inclusion and social enterprise.
Potential for mainstreaming
Firstly CAC aligns with all key EU policies and strategies, for example, EU Disability Strategy 2021–2030 supports inclusive, community-based approaches. UNCRPD (ratified by all EU states) calls for full participation of persons with disabilities in cultural life and the European Pillar of Social Rights emphasizes inclusion and equal opportunities. Secondly, it is a Scalable Model: Blended delivery (online & in-person) makes it adaptable to urban and rural contexts, Training & mentoring can be replicated with local facilitators, Creative arts are universally relevant, flexible across cultures. There is potential as it aligns with growing EU support for social entrepreneurship and impact investing. It could be integrated with existing EU-funded programs (e.g. Erasmus+, Creative Europe, ESF+). Its digital options match the demand for inclusive online services and the Connections Arts Centres online presence makes it ready for a European model. Finally, If outcomes (empowerment, confidence, skills, community integration) are measurable, they can support funding bids and replication cases across Europe, it has demonstrated success in Ireland can build trust in new markets.
