VISUAL Collective

VISUAL Collective is a new transition year work experience programme. There will be 2 sessions of VISUAL Collective each year, running from October - January for 10 weeks and from February - May for 10 weeks. Each session culminates in a public event run by the young people.

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at an arts centre? Would you like to find out more about how galleries and theatres work, to decide if a career in the arts is for you? Would you like to develop your own public event at VISUAL with a group of peers?

Students will be brought behind the scenes at VISUAL, meet with artists, theatre makers, performers, technicians and more. They will get tickets to live events at VISUAL and become familiar with everything that goes on when doors are open to the public and when we’re closed.

Our invited guest artists, performers, theatre makers, technicians, writers (the list goes on) will talk about how they developed their careers and their work in the arts.

They will try out lots of different processes, for example exhibition curation, photography and zine making, theatre programming, technical installation of exhibitions and they will also play around with sculpture, painting and performance. Each session will culminate in a public event planned by participants: this could be a performance, an exhibition, a film night, or a public discussion. The event will showcase work made throughout the programme.

Visual Collective Participant

"I never would have thought it was an option to do a programme like this. It's been so much fun expressing myself in an environment with like-minded people. Everyone is willing to listen and adapt/cater to other people's ideas and interests. I really enjoyed getting to meet new people in the arts and taking part... this has really been a safe and open space which I really appreciated. I am not good with social interaction but I thought I could really say what I was feeling and express myself."

How to Apply:

Applications for the Autumn/ Winter series open in September.
Applications for the Spring/ Summer series open in January.

For more information contact Learning Curator Clare Breen

learning@visualcarlow.ie

Carlow County Youth Theatre

County Carlow Youth Theatre are currently resident in VISUAL and hold workshops for young people on Monday evenings.

County Carlow Youth Theatre is designed to promote the artistic creativity of young people through the theatrical form, workshops are held weekly and offer a constructive space for YT members to develop skills in the areas of acting, directing, stagecraft and scripting. County Carlow Youth Theatre endeavours to bring young people through a process that sees them engaging in the creative arts in a constructive, fun and safe manner, while exploring their potential as young theatre makers.

Funded entirely by the Arts Office of Carlow County Council in partnership with the Arts Council, fees are kept deliberately low to maximise access to the Youth Theatre.

VISUAL Carlow are delighted to be a key supporter of County Carlow Youth Theatre, supplying office, rehearsal and performance space plus access to technical advice and support.

Artistic Statement

To maintain an ensemble of young theatre makers creating high quality innovative theatre that engages the entire community. This is achieved through active recruitment, regular weekly workshops, projects and productions that adhere to best practice in youth theatre and child welfare.

Mission Statement

County Carlow Youth Theatre is a safe dedicated place where young people (aged 11-19) come together to express themselves creatively through theatre and drama. CCYT does not recognise any barrier financial or otherwise that would impede a young person accessing training in and exposure to the arts through the medium of theatre.

Contact

County Carlow Youth Theatre is facilitated by highly qualified and experienced leaders/tutors Síle Penkert and Eimear Cheasty both of whom have in-depth knowledge of the theatre making, production and scripting process.

If you’d like to get involved with Carlow Youth Theatre, or would like more information on any of their activities, you can contact Síle or Eimear.