We believe in equality of opportunity for children and young people. We believe in the uniqueness, dignity and equal worth of young people and in their right to access opportunities that enhance their lives. Young people should be treated equally.

We believe in challenging and making a long-term commitment to transforming unjust social conditions through a pragmatic interface with the real politics of change. We are committed to social justice around questions of access to education.

We believe in the transformative power of art and creativity as a way of working with young people. We have a long tradition and a strong commitment to arts and cultural practice as a means of creative expression across a range of forms including the visual arts, theatre, music dance and street performance.

Themes drawn from history, nature and events in the children’s lives are worked out in 2/3 week blocks, allowing children to develop an idea, work on a piece over a longer period and come back to their original idea. Development of Basic skills introduced in ArtSparks, Introduction to range of materials and techniques.

Introduction to looking at artists’ work through planned gallery visits. Trying out observational drawing in a fun way through visits to the Zoo & Botanic Gardens. Tradition of regular showcases established including studio and neighbourhood exhibitions aimed at family, friends and local schools, providing important platforms for building family and school support for children’s continued involvement.

Young person’s interest in visual art maintained, Progression to the next stage of the Visual Arts Programme, Development of confidence in visual arts skill set, Broadening of the young person’s visual references, Development of openness and an explorative approach to the visual arts.

Exploration of artists and styles, Introduction to Art History & Contemporary Art, Studio, Gallery and Museum visits, Exploration of personal preferences, materials and techniques, Themed 6-week cycles, Methods: Perspective, Vanishing Points, Landscape & Colour Fields, Mono & Lino Printing, Portrait Painting, Scale Differentiation, 3D Work and Puppet Making.

An integral part of the On the Road programme is systematic exposure to the arts world and to a wide variety of artists work. This is achieved through visits to art galleries and museums, in situ workshops and by introducing the young people to the exhibited work of the older teenagers.

Identification of a focus / interest in a variety of visual forms, Acquisition of basic creative skills across a range of visual forms, Experience of visual work in a range of studio-based and hosting visual arts institutions, Confidence in creative visual expression, Engaging with artists about their ideas and work, Development of an identification with visually creative self.

Further Encourage & Develop interest in Art History & Contemporary Art, Exploring Visual Arts & Social Justice, Self-Expression and Challenging Social Injustice, Pathways into Cultural Industries, Pathways to Third Level, One-to-One tutorials.

Encounter: Visits & workshops with key cultural institutions including: National College of Art and Design, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin Print Studio, Hugh Lane Gallery & the National Print Museum, Work with international artists in residence, Showcase: Participation in NCAD exhibition, Organisation of local exhibitions, Residency: Studio 468.

Enhanced skills in chosen visual arts forms, Enhanced visual expression, Identification with visually expressive self, National / International visual arts platform for study visits, Leadership model for participation in community visual arts, Studio intercultural, human rights & social justice initiatives, Greater awareness among young people to explore option of third level art education.