Hope & Ambition Phase 1

Aims and outcomes

The decision to be part of Hope & Ambition has been very positive for Rua Red. Mount Street Club Trust nurtures the relationships that they have with the organisations and projects that they support: the relationship is a meeting of equals. There is mutual exchange and learning and there is always room for considered supportive discussion which is never conducted from the top down. Viewpoints are treated with respect, there is time and space allowed for listening, and responses are considered from a human perspective. Trust is key to the relationship.

“Engaging with the Hope & Ambition project itself has been a massive learning curve for Rua Red. It has altered the organisation for the better and made us reflect inwardly with regards to the inherent preconditions that govern arts organisations that need to be examined and challenged to create a truly equal space that is open and welcoming to all.”

We have learned a lot from this experience, and it has generated an eagerness to do more. We will continue to build on the learning and engage with a broad range of Traveller voices. Engaging with the Hope & Ambition project itself has been a massive learning curve for Rua Red. It has altered the organisation for the better and made us reflect inwardly with regards to the inherent preconditions that govern arts organisations that need to be examined and challenged to create a truly equal space that is open and welcoming to all. We gained a valuable insight into the dynamics of participation when difference and inequality are part and parcel of the engagement. We are still learning and want to take these lessons forward in a constructive way that affects how we strategically plan for the organisation into the future. 

The project has reminded us of the importance of the process of collaboration and networking: good working relationships and positivity are what drive a project forward. Collaboration can be challenging and in the context of facilitating greater presence of Traveller voices, the intricacies of collaborating across systems, mindsets, historic prejudices and assumptions must be addressed. Progression takes time, it involves hard work, patience, clear communication, questioning, reflection and respect. 

Challenges, evolution and insights

The original plan for the TraVision Residency was to follow a two-stage approach over 12 months. This was extended to 23 months due to the covid-19 pandemic which necessitated a reworking of the schedule to adhere to covid guidelines and restrictions. Stage 1 was to take place over 12 weeks from June to August 2020. This period was extended as restrictions continued. This initial stage utilised remote learning and online meetings while access to the building was delayed. Regular online mentoring sessions in media production continued throughout the following 14 months from March 2020 to June 2021. Once restrictions began to lift, Stage 2  commenced and TraVision moved into a space at Rua Red.

As the project started alongside the first lockdown, we had to adapt. The residency was about capacity building, supporting and nurturing a step up, the development and honing of ideas, establishing new networks to build on, and creating a solid structure while learning new skills. The lockdown dampened some of the possibilities, but we persevered and moved the project online. This enabled a degree of flexibility but also highlighted the inadequacies of technology and the value of face-to-face meetings and encounters. While communication was kept up on a regular basis it went against the nature of the project which was to physically be in a studio/office space in an arts centre and engaging in a real way with the support system, onsite equipment and expertise in the building. Rua Red is deeply embedded in the community of Tallaght and South Dublin, and this was lacking during the first part of the project due to the pandemic restrictions. Yet, aside from the external challenges that covid-19 posed, the project was largely successful in adapting and a lot was achieved through the residency period. The holistic support of Mount Street Club Trust throughout was invaluable in enabling that. 

Holistic support

The CEO and Practitioners Clubs have supported the staff in a truly holistic manner.

“The CEO Club has given me support not only in my role as Director of Rua Red but also as a person. The role of Director is an incredibly lonely position and having the support and friendship of others who understand this felt really grounding, especially during covid.” Maolíosa Boyle, Executive Director, Rua Red

The facilitated sessions enabled us to be reflective professionally and personally and guide each other through difficult times. It enabled us to make connections across our different contexts and projects. A massive level of trust was built within the groups which allowed us to be open and honest. This was needed and welcome through lockdown when all of us were trying to find new ways to operate our respective roles. The CEO and Practitioners Clubs encouraged us to reflect on our own resilience and needs. They offered a safe and supportive space to discuss the everyday challenges inherent in the work and focus on our own wellbeing.