Opportunities for children to access and engage with a range of cross artform arts activities and artist encounters in visual art, dance, music, literature, and theatre. Our programmes for children provide space for curiosity, experimentation and support individual thinking and investigation. Artists who deliver the programme place emphasis on the creative process, valuing artistic expression and celebrating difference.

We also run many events throughout the year, including workshops with our Artists in Residence, Cruinniú na nÓg, host children’s theatre, puppet and dance performances. 

Look out on our social media platforms, events page and our home page for upcoming opportunities for children to participate.

ART CLUB 6 to 9 years
with Siobhán McGibbon
Thursdays 3.30 to 4.30
16 January to 10 April (ex. 20 February) 2025
Fee: €120 for 12 sessions
8 places. Pre booking and payment in advance essential

ART CLUB 9 to 12 years
with Siobhán McGibbon
Thursdays 4.45 to 6.00
16 January to 10 April (ex. 20 February) 2025
Fee: €120 for 12 sessions
10 Places. Pre booking and payment in advance essential.

Art Club is a series of adventurous and experimental workshops for children with a sense of wonder and an interest in exploring visual art. Children are encouraged to experiment, discover self expression, build their skill base and use their imaginations. Each block of six weeks focuses on a theme to explore and investigate.

The workshops are facilitated by professional practicing artists with expertise in work with children.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Siobhan McGibbon is an Irish visual artist interested in trans disciplinary practice, particularly the intersections between art and medical science. She works conceptually with sculpture, installation, drawing, animation and biomaterials.Dr Siobhan McGibbon is a Visual Artist & world-builder based in West-Cork. Her expression mutates, merging sculpture, animation, drawing & participatory installations. McGibbon has spent 5 years developing the world of Xenophon to query the possibilities of a good Anthropocene, as part of her practice-based, research- led PhD.   McGibbon originally trained in sculpture in the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology where she completed her degree, receiving a first class honors and Sculpture Student of the Year. In 2014 McGibbon was awarded a Limerick Capital of Culture scholarship to undertake a practice based research masters in the ACADEMY research center at Limerick School of Art and Design.

Listen to the Art Club podcast below, created by Gavin Buckley, who interviewed the children and artists who take part in art club. 

RUSTY FROG JUNIORS (DRAMA CLUB)
Tuesday's 4.30pm to 5.30pm
14 January to 8 April (ex. 18 February) 2025
Fee: €80 for 12 Sessions
For children aged 8 to 12 (1st to 6th class). No previous experience is required. 
This will operate an application process with limited numbers. 

These lively drama workshops focus on improvisation, promoting creative thinking, enhancing self-esteem and building confidence. Drama Club is a great way to meet new friends.

Each week we will begin with warm ups and games and followed by playful drama explorations into character and story development in the creation of an imaginary island, its life, heritage and cultures.

Rusty Frog Juniors share their drama experiences with family and friends at the end of each term. Intended to be fun and inclusive these exclusive events take place in the studio at Uillinn.

 

See this short video created by Alison Glennie, drama club facilitator (1999 to 2019), which shows just some of the activities enjoyed by Rusty Frog Junior participants.

 

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. 

Annual performances, featuring professional dancers in The Everyman in Cork are an integral part of the programme. This term we welcome Alan Foley back to deliver the programme at Uillinn, bringing his high level of expertise choreography and musicality to engage the children and explore ways of learning the discipline of Ballet and Modern dance. 

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. The Company has worked in partnership with West Cork Arts Centre for over 31 years, developing programmes for children which offer continuous academic development and engagement with professional dancers. 

TERM 2: 18 Jan - 24 May (15 feb, 19 & 26 Apr) ( rehearsal on 25 May + performance on 31 May)  2025 - 32 sessions in total for both terms

Pre-primary (3-4) - 10:30 to 11:00.
Primary Ballet/Modern (4-6) - 11:00 to 11:45.
Junior Ballet/Modern (7-10) - 11:45 to 12:45.
30 Minute Break
Senior Ballet (11 upwards) - 1:15 to 2:30.
Senior Jazz (11 upwards) - 2:30 to 3:30.

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 info HERE

 

 

Images above: Art Club photograph by Sharon Dipity. Art Club video by Siobhan McGibbon,  Alan Foley Academy of Dance, photograph by Emma Jervis Photographer.