The Ark is a dedicated cultural centre for children. We create opportunities for children, along with their families and friends or with their school, to discover and love art. Through our work with leading Irish and international artists children can enjoy performances in our unique child-sized theatre, view engaging exhibitions or participate in creative workshops.
Ark illustration by Kate Brangan
We welcome Branar Téatar do Pháistí back to The Ark for the festive season with their gorgeous adaptation of Oliver Jeffers' best-selling picture book.
Are you an artist with an interest in creating work with or for children? We invite you to pop into The Ark for a welcoming cup of coffee or tea and meet with other like-minded artists.
Meet the King who has banned feelings and colours from his Kingdom in this fun and interactive workshop for 3 to 5 years olds and their grown-ups. In partnership with First Fortnight.
Come and join the circus with Clowns Without Borders and learn some new circus skills and tricks in this fun-filled free workshop.
Bringing the distinctive driving rhythms and speed of West Kerry trad to the stage, Pólca 4 will showcase their lively take on this unique regional style of Irish music with fun and energetic bilingual gigs for schools and families.
Our Early Years Artist in Residence, Lucy Hill explores handmade crafts in this engaging workshop for ages 2-4. Part of the TradFest Children's Hub 2019
Have a go at playing traditional music on one of a range of instruments at our popular drop-in sessions for beginners. Part of the TradFest Children's Hub 2019
Try your hand at a variety of fun crafts using different materials at this year’s Tradfest Children’s Crafts Club for Ages 4+. Part of the TradFest Children's Hub 2019.
If you’re aged 6+ and play an instrument, this is your chance to come and play in a real trad session! Part of the TradFest Children's Hub 2019
Everyone's a drummer in this fun musical workshop for families to enjoy together! Part of the TradFest Children's Hub 2019
Enjoy a musical trip through an ordinary day in this fun concert for Ages 5+.
Discover an unusual cello you can play without having taken any lessons! A fun new music installation by composer Jonathan Nangle.
Invent your own music and crazy sounds with the help of Dutch cello virtuoso Ernst Reijseger. This is a very special opportunity for children to experience the energy and imagination of Ernst while he visits Ireland for the Spike Cello Festival.
Find out more about composing for film - perfect for children aged 5-7 with an interest in music and film. Part of Fantastic Flix at The Ark.
Make your own Lego movie in this practical workshop with Brick Flicks. Part of Fantastic Flix at The Ark.
Join IFTA and Emmy award winning Director Dearbhla Walsh for a workshop for children with a keen interest in film and life behind the screen. Part of Fantastic Flix at The Ark.
The Ark presents the world premiere of a brand new theatre show for ages 8+ by Kate Heffernan. Directed by Tim Crouch.
Our Seedlings workshops offer opportunities to explore materials and the world around them through playful and engaging activities. Ideal for getting little ones (and their grown-up!) imagining and creating together.
This engaging workshop will provide you with an introduction to hands-on, simple creative technology tools that support cross-curricular learning through play for STEAM subjects at Primary level – particularly in Science, Technology, Arts and Maths.
Join artist Lucy Hill, our inaugural John Coolahan Early Years Artist in Residence, and her residency mentor Dr. Christina Macrae from Manchester Metropolitan University to celebrate, reflect on and discuss their experiences together as Lucy’s residency draws to an end.
Our Seedlings workshops offer opportunities to explore materials and the world around them through playful and engaging activities. Ideal for getting little ones (and their grown-up!) imagining and creating together.
In April 2019, we will present Ireland’s first ever annual international music festival for young audiences. You can look forward to lots of amazing music performances and exciting installations for children aged 2 to 12.
Throw the dice and enter a colourful and creative world of board games in this exhibition from the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, London.
People all around the world have been playing X’s and O’s (also known as noughts and crosses or Tic Tac Toe) for thousands of years. Now it’s your turn to add your own unique, creative spin on this well-known game.
From analogue to digital - explore the evolution of physical games with Make Create Innovate in this four day camp for Ages 9-12.
From fun to funky, make your own accessories with old game pieces in these craft workshops for ages 8-12.
Join award winning game designer and developer Brenda Romero and design your very own board game in this fun workshop for Ages 8-12.
Award-winning game designer and developer Brenda Romero has been inventing games since she was a child, landing her first job in game design at the age of 15.
Are you an artist with an interest in creating work with or for children? We invite you to pop into The Ark for a welcoming cup of coffee or tea and meet with other like-minded artists.
The Ark and Dublin Dance Festival present an engaging family show at the O'Reilly Theatre for ages 7+ that takes an amusing look at our relationship with others.
This fun dance workshop for ages 7-12 will incorporate hip hop and contemporary dance techniques.
A STEAM-based workshop on games and magnetism that can be tailored for Junior Infants to 6th Class.
We welcome International Literature Festival of Dublin back to The Ark again in 2019 with a day full of fun events featuring some of your favourite authors and books.
