ABSTRACT
The Ark is Ireland’s only dedicated cultural centre for children and the first of its kind in Europe. Opening in 1995 as part of a city centre cultural regeneration project for the Temple Bar area, The Ark embodies a vision for children’s right to art as equal citizens. The choice by The Ark to set up an Early Years Residency as a year-long opportunity came about in recognition of the growth of both interest and understanding of the importance of beginning a child’s relationship with art from the earliest stages. Through its Early Years work since 2007 The Ark has come to understand that art and artistic provision in the Early Years in particular remains a developing area of professional arts practice with and for children. For the Bealtaine festival at The Ark, an annual national festival celebrating ageing through the arts, workshops were programmed for children accompanied by an older family member, potentially a grandparent.
