In 2016, the Artist in Residence Programme became one of the pillars of the Public Engagement Programme. The ‘School of Alternative Possibilities’ , which is led by socially engaged artist, Joanna McGlynn, became the artist in residence. This residency culminated in a public participatory event on Galway’s Culture Night, which was kindly supported by wild food expert, forager and culinary director, JP McMahon.
The ‘School of Alternative Possibilities’ advocates a space for agency through cross disciplinary collaboration, co-participation and collective action. Established in 2015, SOAP is a component of Joanna McGlynn's socially engaged arts practice which merges pedagogical methodologies with artistic strategies and topics of sociopolitical concern.
Joanna McGlynn is a visual artist and arts educator. She has 15 years experience developing and producing creative programmes in community and educational contexts. She develops context-specific projects in response to the immediate physical environment, with a sensitivity to communities of people, place and interest. They are realised through processes of participation, co-creation and collaboration.
Joanna holds a Masters in Social Practice and the Creative Environment from Limerick School of Art and Design and a Degree in Fine and Applied Art from the University of Ulster, Belfast. Awards include 2019 Galway County Council Artist in Schools with Carnaun National School, Athenry, Co. Galway and 2016 CÚRAM Artist in Residence Award at National University of Ireland, Galway. She held the position of Education Coordinator with TULCA Festival of Visual Arts 2013 - 2018. She was Programme Coordinator for Galway County Council Cruinniú na nÓg 2018 and 2019. She is currently engaged as a Creative Associate with the Arts Council Creative Schools Programme.
