Young People
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.
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.
‘Guerrilluinn’s’ is Uillinns Young People Committee. The group gives voice to ideas in relation to building and participating in our programmes for Young People at Uillinn and is facilitated by staff and artists working on the programme.
In 2022, the ‘Guerrilluinn’s’ devised a multimedia public art project called FREEDOM during one of several Studio Residencies the young people took part in. The project aimed to increase access to the arts for more young people in west cork, provide a platform to voice their thoughts and challenge perceptions of what art can be. In 2024, the collective devised and delivered a second project 'Shakespeare with a Twist'. For more on Guerriullinns and how to be apart of the collective go to..
YOUNG DANCERS
10 places, €50 Membership per term
12 Sessions
Monday's 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm
13 January to 7 April (ex. 3 & 17 Feb and 17 March) 2025
with Elaine McCague, Tara Brandel and guests.
This programme is ideal for young people with some movement or dance experience to attend both facilitated and peer to peer sessions and experiment with aerial and choreography in contemporary dance.
Attending sessions is a fantastic way for young dancers to broaden their experience, step outside their comfort zones, make connections, new friends and discover new ways to move and create.
RUSTY FROG YOUTH THEATRE
16 places, Membership Fee €50 per term
12 Sessions
Tuesday's 6:00pm to 7:30pm
14 January to 8 April (ex. 18 February) 2025
Age 13 to 18 (Second level students)
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.
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
8 places €50 membership per term
10 Sessions
Friday's 4:30pm to 6:00pm
17 January to 11 April (ex. 21 February) 2025
Ages 14 to 18 years
with Tomasz Madajczak, Sylwia Migdal & Guests
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 performing arts with artists Tomasz Madajczak, Sylwia Migdal and guests artists
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
About Arts Project Assitant at Uillinn - Sylwia Migdal
Sylwia Migdal, an artist and researcher from Poland, has been living and working in West Cork for nearly two decades. Her artistic practice is rooted in conceptual art, soundscapes, participatory and socially engaged practice, engaging regularility with young people in informal settings. For the past two years, she has played a significant role in delivering and developing the young people's programme at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre in her roles as Arts Project Assistant at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre. Sylwia's academic journey is marked by achievements, including a BA in Visual Arts and a Master's Degree in Art and Environment from Technological University Dublin, School of Creative Arts, with studies conducted on Sherkin Island and Dublin. She also holds a Youth Arts certification in the Youth Work context from Maynooth University, highlighting her dedication to nurturing young creative minds.
