The Ark beams into Broadband Connection Points nationwide this summer
This summer with support from the Department of Rural and Community Development, The Ark is looking forward to sharing our work with children around the country via Broadband Connection Points.
Following the success of The Ark's digital programmes throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond, we are now excited to expand our offering to children and their grown-ups in areas with limited internet access via their local Broadband Connection Points.
An an initiative of the Government of Ireland in partnership with Vodafone, the Broadband Connection Points (BCP) programme is enabled by National Broadband Ireland, which will connect circa. 300 centres and locations across rural Ireland to give them access to high-speed broadband services. The aim is to unlock the potential of communities across the country through best in class broadband connectivity, transforming how people all over Ireland live, work, learn and play.
The Ark's summer programme for BCPS follows an initial pilot project undertaken in 2021, when we delivered online visual art workshops led by artist Duffy Mooney-Sheppard to children in remote locations in Limerick, Monaghan, Galway, Wexford, Achill Island and Clare Island.
"We would happily do more workshops as the children had a great time!" - Patrick and Edel in Croom Enterprise Centre
Now in summer 2023, Broadband Connection points have the opportunity to sign up for online visual art workshops with artist Jane Groves, or to stream our recent dance production The Race by Marc Brew in their centres. Details of these events can be found below along with confirmed screening and workshop times.
There is still time for your local Broadband Connection Point to sign up to stream The Race or host a workshop so if you would like to see them do so, please contact your local Broadband Officer (contact information is available online here).
Visual Art Workshop: Tide Lines
For children aged 5–12 and their grown-ups
Our beautiful island teems with wildlife and its waters are full of dancing seaweeds, dolphins and basking sharks. The sea is also home to the mythical creatures of Irish folklore like the Selki, Brendan’s giant whale or Cú Chulainn’s chariot pulling horses who are waiting at the ready under the Atlantic.
Join The Ark and artist Jane Groves to make a layered paper creation looking at our natural world from both above and below.
BCPs can sign up for one workshop each on selected dates between 31 July and 28 August at either 10.15am or 12.15pm (duration 1 hour). Workshops are free to attend, limited to 20 children (some centres may wish to accommodate less), plus their parents/guardians. A range of materials and basic tools will be supplied, but workshop participants should bring their own pencil!
Confirmed workshops:
Boher BCP, Co. Tipperary – Mon 14 Aug @ 12.15pm
Aglish BCP, Co. Tipperary - Mon 31 Jul @ 10.15am
Killeenagh (Inch) BCP, Co. Kerry - Tue 22 August @ 12:15pm
The Race by Marc Brew
Presented by The Ark, Dublin Dance Festival and Arts & Disability Ireland, you can now watch this exciting new dance piece for children aged 4+ streaming in participating Broadband Connection Points in summer 2023.
From acclaimed international choreographer, Marc Brew, The Race entwines three of Aesop's Fables to create a fun, interactive and colourful world of animals, puppets, theatre and movement.
Cheer with our cast of animals as the Tortoise and the Hare set off for the finish line, join the Grasshopper in gazing with fascination as the Ants collect food for the winter ahead, and root for the little Mouse as she faces down the mighty Lion! Watch as their journeys unfold through beautiful dance and share in the lessons they learn along the way.
The Race made its World Premiere in The Ark in May as part of Dublin Dance Festival 2023. Created by acclaimed international choreographer, Marc Brew, and presented by a cast of disabled and non-disabled dance artists, the show features integrated ISL (Irish Sign Language) and options are available for captioning and audio description.
The Race has been filmed with support from the Department of Education, the Department of Rural & Community Development and Rethink Ireland and is available totally free of charge to screen in Broadband Connection Points from 3 July to 27 August.
Confirmed BCP screenings of The Race:
Boher BCP, Co. Tipperary – Wed 26 Jul @ 7pm
Milltown Community Hub, Co. Westmeath – Fri 28 Jul @ 3pm
Tullycorbet Community Centre, Co. Monaghan – Fri 28 Jul @ 6.30pm
Terryclass BCP, Co. Tipperary – Thu 24 Aug @ 7.30pm
G-Teic Chuigéal, Co. Galway – Sun 27 Aug @ 11.30am