“All ages can engage with the work at different levels and the rug is not being pulled from under anyone. Nobody is forgiving the work because ‘it’s only for children’. “
About this publication: Title: Practice
Muireann Ahern
Practice publication team: Editor: Orla Kenny Copy-editing & proofreading: Jo Holmwood Design & Layout: Shane Finan ISSN: 2009-2563 © writers, artists and Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership, 2011. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced copied or transmitted in any form or by means without permission of the publisher. Kids’ Own accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of material submitted for publication. The views expressed in Practice are not necessarily those of the Editor.
Published by: Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership Carrigeens Ballinful Co. Sligo www.kidsown.ie www.practice.ie info@kidsown.ie 071-91-24945
For additional copies contact Kids’ Own. If you are interested in receiving future editions of Practice, register your interest and contact info@kidsown.ie Price €5.00/£4.50
Cover Photograph copyright Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership
Contents 1 Welcome Commentary Youth-led practice within youth arts: 2
Toward an understanding of the terms and conditions by Victoria Durrer
6 8
‘Nothing if not critical’: Red Square and the Butler Gallery by Jean Tormey
Project Focus OPERA: Access all areas: Developing youth participation at Wexford Opera House by Sheila Creevy
10
CRAFT: CRAFTed: The Crafts Council’s Primary Schools Programme by Polly Minett
12 14 16 18 20
EARLY YEARS: Rannta na nDéise by Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership
Practitioner Focus THEATRE: Muireann Ahern: Fully present, connected and engaged VISUAL ARTS: Orla Kelly: Turning the lights on EARLY YEARS: Ruth Churchill: Scaffolding young children’s learning EARLY YEARS: Hannah Lefeuvre: Go with the flow
“In early years settings, a really good early years practitioner knows that the starting point is the child’s ideas and interests, or their needs within the whole context of the setting.“ Ruth Churchill 22 24 26 28 29
Documentation Focus Helen Manchester: Visible listening Christina MacRae: An artefactual process Christina MacRae: How do artists document their work?
Young Makers Future development: 2012 and beyond
“Working with professional artists gives to the children a chance to extend their thinking and nurtures their natural curiosity and creativity.” Hannah Lefeuvre