News

On a bi-monthly basis the guest editor will profile projects, share conversations with other professionals through on line interviews and contribute their thoughts through essays or blogs.

About Maire Davey:

Originally from Co. Wexford, Máire lives and works in Dublin. Máire holds a degree in Fine Art, a h Dip in Community Arts Education and is undertaking an Mlitt in Arts Education at present. Currently employed as Education and Community Co-ordinator for dlr Arts Office, she was Community Arts Officer for Droichead Arts Centre in Drogheda prior to this. Having worked as a freelance artist in various community, educational (formal and informal) and cultural settings for ten years both at home and abroad she is interested in the development of the arts within these sectors that is grounded in practice. She has also compiled research on participatory arts practice in Ireland.

dlr Arts Office: dlrcoco.ie/arts

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An interesting paper from Emily Pringle

Frances Browne Schools Commission

Donegal County Council Public Art Programme aims to commission an 
interactive, participatory, performance or time-based arts event for 
children, based upon the themes of Frances Browne, the 'blind poetess of Stranorlar' and her work 'Granny's Wonderful Chair'. The 
project will include a 10 week residency commencing Spring 2010 basd in four National Schools in Ballybofey/Stranorlar with one class of school-children aged 10-11 from each school included in the project. Artists and arts companies from a range of disciplines (from chil
dren's theatre, to community arts, carnival, literature, film, anima
tion etc) who work with children are invited to make a project propo
sal.

For the Commission Brief, please contact:

Email:

declan.sheehan@donegalcoco.ie

Website:

 www.donegalpublicart.ie

Deadline:

11 February 2010

On Thursday 22nd of October in the Oval room at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, The Practice Journal was launched by Helen O'Donoghue of IMMA to an intimate gathering of supporters and contributors. Helen spoke about the intention of Practice.ie as a space to support artists and one that builds on experience rather than trying to re-invent the wheel.  Helen linked the artists' practice together and referred to the values underpinning each artists work. Helen also made reference to the membership of practice and how "Its very existence is contingent on people being active with in it."

Practice.ie and now this Practice Journal aims to be a relevant and cruial space responding to contemporary arts practice with children.

Quotes from Helen O'Donoghue's speech

"What I would like to say about the whole project and process is that it is inherently contemporary... it's about a virtual world embracing some sort of future that we can’t imagine at the moment and for me the important aspects are communication and expression and twinning those... but the important thing is that it is rooted in the earthiness of childhood and I don’t see that as a sentimental thing... referring back to two artists that said two very interesting things that best sum it up, Ruby Wallis refers to her practice as learning to 'slow down'; that is really important in the type of world we live in- competitive and fast and moving forward all the time.  Cathal Roche says  about his practice that it is 'improvisation at the core'.  And I think that best sums up what this process is, about improvisation and collective improvisation and journeys."

This event provided another opportunity to celebrate and promote artists engagment with children and young people. We will continue to promote this work and make this site and Journal visible for all to see. The Practice Journal is available buy here we hope you enjoy it!