The Ark's DCU CYPA Residency RoundUp

As part of the CYPA Artist-In-Residence scheme, The Ark were selected to deliver specific opportunities and bespoke programmes for DCU students studying education throughout the academic year. This term marked the final term of our residency and saw a myriad of events and opportunities for cultural and creative expression for the student teachers and children from the local area and national schools. Take a look below to see what we got up to!

Inspired by our recent production The Last Moth, visual artist Duffy-Mooney Sheppard led student teachers in a hugely creative workshop which weaved making moth crowns with creative movement, storytelling and shadow work. As an artist, Duffy explores curiosity, fantasy, and nature. This approach to visual arts in the classroom opened the floor to collaboration and learning with the student teachers on how to elevate their classroom activities to inspire their students to stay curious and imaginative in their learning.

Visits to galleries, theatres and concert halls are a great opportunity for children to experience the arts but such visits are not always possible for the entire school. With this is mind, The Ark put together a special touring exhibition entitled ‘Going Places’. This exhibition welcomed many student teachers, children from nearby schools and passersby as it took residence in St.Patricks Campus. This exhibition invited children and teachers to engage with these artworks in a space of playful exploration, approaching them with no set objectives or pre-determined outcomes.

Inspired by our recent production The Last Moth, artist Luke Casserly led a workshop with student teachers to inspire the use of creative movement, imagination and role play in the classroom. Creating space for collaboration and learning in this way allows the students to let go of their inhibitions and embrace parts of the curriculum in different ways.

We brought the much loved music show Tracks in the Snow by The Henry Girls to St. Patricks Campus Auditorium where student teachers and students from local national schools could experience high quality music performance from the comfort of their local area. Bríd Ní Ghruagáin also provided a touch tour for audience members at the end of the performance. Touch tours are for children with visual impairment or those with additional sensory needs or access requirements who would benefit from a more supported, relaxed experience. This allowed the children to engage with the instruments and performance in a way that is meaningful for them.

The Ark were Children and Young People’s Arts (CYPA) Artists in Residence at Dublin City University from 2024-2026, funded by The Arts Council.

Photos by Gemma Bovenizer