The Programme for Children focuses on providing opportunities for children (3 – 13) from the West Cork region to have access to, and to engage with, a broad range of arts activities, processes and art forms including visual art, performance, music, dance and drama. The arts provide for sensory, emotional, intellectual and creative enrichment and contribute to the child’s holistic development. Arts education enables the child to explore alternative ways of communication with others and encourages ideas that are personal and inventive.
The Programme for Children emphasises the creative process, values artistic expression, encourages spontaneity and risk-taking and celebrates difference.
It includes the annual Choowawaa - Children's Arts Event and Exhibition which introduces children to a range of arts experiences, which are further developed throughout the year by WCAC’s Children’s Art and Drama Clubs, Children's Summer Programme , Alan Foley's Academy of Dance and Discovery Box, a Gallery resource for families.
Drama Club
Tuesday 3.30pm – 5.00pm, 1½hrs for 7yrs to 11yrs, (2nd to 6th Class, primary level)
12 sessions
Tuesday 22 January – Tuesday 30 April (excluding 12 February mid-term & Easter break)
min 10 max 16 places
€ 75
Information on concessions available on request.
This is a lively and enjoyable series of imaginative drama workshops. Using games and improvisation, children will work as a team exploring story development, scriptwork and characterisation and performance skills.
Drama Club is for children interested in exploring their imaginations and learning acting and theatre skills. They should have reasonable reading and group skills although no previous drama experience is needed.
The course will be delivered by Alison Glennie. WCAC Project Assistant will support her in the delivery of the programme.
Art Club
Thursday’s 3.30pm – 5.00pm, 1½ hrs for 6yrs to 9yrs (Sen. inf – 4th class)
17 January – 14 March (excluding 14 February mid-term)
min 8 max 14 places
8 sessions
€ 68
Information on concessions available on request.
Children are invited to join this challenging and enjoyable creative journey into visual art. Using the gallery as a resource for inspiration, children will develop individual portfolios filled with ideas and visual experiments. All materials are provided.
WCAC Project Assistant will support a number of guest artists including Caoimhe Pendred, who will begin the programme with a visit to the Mikala Dwyer exhibition.
Classroom-based Programme
The primary schools classroom based programme begins in the autumn term and includes: a preparatory teachers meeting; a class visit to WCAC for a day including a guided tour of the gallery and practical workshops; two follow up workshops in the classroom; an online guide to the exhibition designed for participating schools to access in the classroom; a personal project plan developed with each teacher to help integrate the programme to their own needs and interests whilst fulfilling the curriculum and an exhibition featuring artwork developed during the programme in the main gallery at WCAC at the end of the programme.
The programme aims to encourage an imaginative response, develop practical visual arts skills and enable confidence in appreciating art for both pupils and teachers. The artist will develop an individual project plan with each teacher to enable teachers to continue delivery of the project in the classroom and maximise opportunities for cross-curricular links relevant to the group.
The programme is aimed at all levels of primary inclusive of special needs groups. Special needs groups will be catered for with shorter more frequent sessions to accommodate shorter attention spans and the need for the facilitating artist to develop a relationship with the group.
This year’s programme is based on the exhibition The Essence of Taste by James L. Hayes and will be delivered by artists Alison Cronin and Tess Leak. An Education / Exhibition Guide for this year's Primary Schools' Classroom-based Project is available to view HERE
Past Education Guides are available to view here: Ed Guide Ellen Driscoll ; Cutters Education Guide and Amy Walsh Education Guide
This programme is delivered in partnership with the West Cork Education Centre.
