Artists-in-Residence The Ark host climate change education workshop with DCU’s Institute of Education students

Students from DCU’s Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) course joined artists from The Ark in St Patrick’s Campus this semester for a practical workshop showing how art, drama, and music  can be integrated in lessons around climate change.

As part of the YPCE Artist-In-Residence scheme, The Ark Children’s Cultural Centre has been selected to deliver specific opportunities and bespoke programmes for DCU students studying education throughout the current academic year.

Una McCabe, Head of the School of Arts, Education and Movement, spoke about the impact of the residency:

This is an incredible opportunity to share resources, knowledge and experiences between artists, teacher educators and future teachers and progress our shared commitment to  advancing a child’s right to access art and culture as part of their learning and development.

Aideen Howard, Director of The Ark, said:

The Ark is delighted to work together with DCU's Institute of Education on this residency, supported by The Arts Council. The Ark's purpose is to realise children’s right to art and culture with ambition and joy. Teachers are key allies in delivering this right.  Working alongside Ark artists and the DCU Institute of Education Faculty,  the aim of this residency is to share our artistic resources, knowledge and enthusiasm with a new generation of students, enabling them to bring their own expertise to children in the classroom. It builds on The Ark’s long practice of teacher education in the arts, supported by the Department of Education. 

Josh Bannon, a Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) student, described the workshop as “much more enjoyable and hands-on than writing something on your laptop.”

Between the drama, the music and the art, it all comes together. Seeing them all combined gives me great ideas for when I’m in the classroom - my art lesson, my drama lesson and my music lesson can be all combined together. I thought that was a great thing to see.

Marcella Bannon, Cultural Arts Officer at DCU, explained the benefits of the artist-in-residence programme:

Through this artist-in-residence programme, we create an inspiring space where creativity and academia intersect. By working alongside artists, our students gain invaluable hands-on experience, while building the confidence and skills necessary to shape the future of the arts in education.

For more information on DCU's artist-in-residence programme, visit this webpage.