Our programmes provide a unique space for young people to develop a critical attitude towards society and to question and celebrate through making and participating. They provide artform choice in visual arts, dance, theatre and access for young people to engage with artists on residence and cross platform exploration.
We have been working to expand our access to the arts for Young People influenced and steered by our Young Peoples Committee, ‘Guerrilluinn’s’. The group gives voice to ideas in relation to building and participating in our programmes at Uillinn and is facilitated by staff and artists working on the programme.
In a brainstorming session back in the spring of 2022, the ‘Guerrilluinn’s’ devised a project with the aim of increasing access to the arts for more young people in west cork and voicing their thoughts and ideas through exciting and ambitious multimedia public art project that challenges perceptions of what art can be.
Beginning in September 2022 the ‘Guerrilluinn’s’ took action on these ideas and created a multi-disciplinary project to build artform bridges, increase access, upskill and explore industry links to create a joint temporary public artwork in Skibbereen. The project called FREEDOM was led by Guerrilluinn’s who were in studio residency from 7 November 2022 to 28 January 2023.
Our programme is delivered in three artform based strands: Young Dancers, Rusty Frog Youth Theatre (RFYT) and Draw Mind Matters coordinated through the Guerrilluinns. All spaces are inclusive, welcome young people from diverse backgrounds and be LGBTQ+ and ally default. Additional opportunities take place throughout each year to enrich the young peoples experience of the arts including exhibitions, once off events and outings, In addition opportunities are also presented through Cork’s key youth arts support LCYP Local Creative Youth Partnership and RFYT proud membership of Youth Theatre Ireland.
FREE OPEN DAYS ANNOUNCED TO CHECK IT OUT FOR YOUR SELF ....8 May - Young Dancers, 12 May - Draw Mind Matters and celebrating 10 June for Rusty Forg Youth Theatre
YOUNG DANCERS
8 places, €20 Membership
14 Sessions (9 facilitated sessions and regular peer to peer sharing sessions)
Open Session Monday 8 May, no booking necessary, just turn up and try it out!
30 January to 29 May (ex. 6 & 13 Feb and 3 & 10 April)
Danae Wollen - 30 January & 27 February, Imna Pavon - 20 February & 6 March, Tara Brandel 13 March, Haj Murphy 20 March, Philippa Donnelan 27 March, Ali Clark 17 April & Elaine McCague 24 April & 8 May Bea Bidault 29 May
For young people with some movement or dance experience to attend both facilitated and peer to peer sharing sessions and experiment with Aerial and Choreography in contemporary dance. The young dancers are working towards a self choreographed performance, keep your eye open for details!
RUSTY FROG YOUTH THEATRE
With facilitator Maxine Acton
Once off session for anyone wishing to have a go for Cruinniú na nÓg Saturday on 10 June, 10:30am to 1:00pm- free!
Maxine Acton will facilitate a two hour Introduction to Youth Theatre session. This workshop will cover ice-breaker exercises, drama games and a gentle introduction to improvisation and stage-craft
Before the Youth Theatre session, our young peoples committee the 'Guerriullunn's' invite you on a tour of Uillinn and the exhition of work by Draw Mind Matters, see the artwork, meet our artists in Residence and explore the building.
Tuesday 17 January to 28 March (ex. 14 February)
Tuesdays 6:00pm to 7:30pm with a view to running until 8pm later in the term
Age 13 to 18 (Second level students)
Membership Fee €60 per term (first session is free) for 10 Sessions
14 places
Rusty Frog is WCAC's Youth Theatre for teenagers which produces original, high-quality and exciting theatre. The programme includes: weekly training workshops in acting, improvisation, stagecraft, voice, script work, street theatre, puppetry, physical theatre, clowning, dance, percussion, devising, writing, directing and technical skills. It also includes an annual theatre production, theatre trips and participation in the national Youth Theatre Festival. Youth Theatre is a unique blend of youth work with a professional theatre approach - it builds confidence, creativity and communication skills. The YT programme focuses on the development and empowerment of its members as well as developing their theatre skills.
No experience is necessary, just commitment.
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR
Maxine is a graduate of UCC’s Drama and Theatre Studies degree programme and currently undertaking a research masters in adapting contemporary writing for Irish theatre. She has worked with UCC Youth Theatre and with Youth Theatre Ireland. She is also an actress and singer and has performed in many venues from the CAT Club to The National Concert Hall. She believes youth theatre is a hugely important amenity for young people, especially in the more rural areas and is very excited to be joining Rusty Frog Youth Theatre and Rusty Frog Juniors.
Rusty Frog Youth Theatre Facebook page
Rusty Frog Youth Theatre Instagram
Here is what some of our members have to say:
"Personally I love youth theatre. It offers me a chance to make new friends and I know I can express myself without getting judged"
"I really really enjoyed it, Its a safe space for acting and just expression in general"
"Its very fun and rewarding. I can be myself"
"I loved Youth Theatre. I felt it was a really great space to be in."
Rusty Frog Youth Theatre is supported by the Arts Council and Cork County Council.
DRAW MIND MATTERS
with Tomasz Madajczak & Sylwia Migdal
15 Sessions (9 facilitated sessions and remaining peer to peer sharing sessions)
Fridays 20 January to 26 May 2023 (ex. 17 February and 7 April)
4.30 pm to 6.30 pm
Ages 14 to 18 years
Fee: €20 membership
Draw Mind Matters is an innovative art project which invites young people to express their experience of life in Ireland today through drawing, painting, photography, and street art working towards a multidisciplinary collective project with artist Tomasz Madajczak and Sylwia Migdal. Guest artist Will Bock explores Sound Art on 31 March.
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR
Artist Tomasz Madajczak has worked with art and education for 15 years, facilitating art workshops for children, teenagers and adults. The combination of art and education plays a crucial role in developing deep interest and curiosity in young people, to enable them to explore and widen their life perspectives. Recent projects for children are: Art in Action and Inside Out, both at Uillinn: West Cork Art Centre, 2020; Sztuka Stuka, MOOS Municipal Art Gallery, Gorzów, Wlkp. Poland, 2019; and artists collaboration Mapping The Divide performance at Uillinn, 2019. Tomasz studied Photography at the Fine Arts Academy in Poznań 1998-2003 completing an MAFA in the Intermedia Department. Tomasz emigrated to Ireland in 2003 where he has been a practicing artist since.
ALAN FOLEY ACADEMY OF DANCE (AFAD) promotes dance as a vibrant and enjoyable art form through classes, workshops and performances in ballet, jazz and modern dance for 3 to 18 year olds. AFAD is part of Cork City Ballet (CCB) which embraces a policy of engaging dancers from international companies as well as Ireland's finest classical and contemporary dancers, to perform to audiences all over Ireland.
Founded in 1991, the Alan Foley Academy of Dance has branches in Skibbereen, Bantry, Clonakilty and Carrigaline. Under the direction of Alan Foley, the School offers a complete range of classes for young children and teens who wish to pursue recreational dance instruction in a supportive and encouraging setting.
More details here on booking, times and fees. Alan Foley Academy of Dance (Ballet, Modern and Jazz)
Images: Draw Mind Matters at the FREEDOM Event in December2022. Image by Tomasz Madajczak. Young Dancers Perform at the FREEDOM event in December 2022. Video created by Draw Mind Matters participants in 2022 with artist Tomasz Madajczak. Alan Foley Academy of Dance, Senior Modern Class students perform at Ballet Gala 2022 at Uillinn