Minister Roderic O’Gorman launches exhibition at IMMA made by young people in Oberstown Children Detention Campus that highlights the positive value of engagement in the arts

An exhibition of work made by young people in Oberstown Children Detention Campus who are participating in Gaisce – The President’s Award, was launched today (Tuesday 26 April 2022) by Roderic O’Gorman, TD, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, at IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art). The exhibition titled, The Ride Away from the Storm, aims to create a platform to highlight the positive value of engagement in the arts and shared creative processes for young people and to give voice to their experiences.

 “The reason why I’m making this art is to show the world to look forward” – young person involved in the exhibition.

The exhibition is the result of a dialogue between artworks in IMMA’s Collection and the young people. The paintings were produced over six months in the art room in Oberstown and each young person selected a work from the IMMA Collection that speaks to or connects with their own work. In preparation for the exhibition, the young people worked with their art teachers on a citizen curation programme which is part of IMMA’s contribution to SPICE, a European research project. They used SPICE tools and methods of citizen curation to enable them to articulate and share their perspectives on art through IMMA’s Collection. Citizen curation aims to support communities who lack access to the museum to share their perspectives through selecting and interpreting works of art.

Speaking at the launch, Minister O’Gorman, said “I am delighted to be here today at the launch of this fantastic exhibition showcasing the wonderful work of young people from Oberstown here at the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The beautiful artwork on display here today illustrates the importance of the self-development programmes in place on campus at Oberstown. Despite often coming from difficult backgrounds young people can achieve so much when they are provided with a safe and secure environment and the supports to flourish. The aim of Gaisce is to support young people in fulfilling their potential and that reflects the Oberstown commitment to help young people to return to their communities and make a positive contribution.”

Damien Hernon, Director, Oberstown Children Detention Campus said “We are so proud of the young people and the art they have created and delighted to see it exhibited in the prestigious surroundings of the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Engaging with programmes in Oberstown helps young people develop skills and work towards maximising their potential so they can move on with their lives in a positive way after they leave the Campus. Young people in Oberstown can, and want to, contribute to the wider community by availing of the opportunities on offer, through programmes such as Gaisce. We are thrilled for the young people and the recognition of their great work.”

Yvonne McKenna, CEO, Gaisce – The President’s Award said “Gaisce – The President’s Award is delighted to be part of this unique and ground-breaking collaboration showcasing artworks which give voice to young people through self-discovery and creativity. Gaisce is committed to supporting young people to reach their full potential regardless of their social or personal circumstances and celebrating the vital role creativity can play in youth development.”

A discussion reflecting on the value of youth arts within art, culture and society, titled Exploring Youth Voice in Art and Culture, will take place at IMMA on 5 May 2022. Guests include Anne O’Gorman, Consultant and former Senior Project Officer for Youth Arts in NYCI; Jim Lawlor, Rialto Youth Project; Avril Ryan, Gaisce – The President’s Award; John Smith, Oberstown Children Detention Centre, and will be Chaired by Helen O’Donoghue, Head of Engagement and Learning, IMMA. The guests will offer a range of perspectives on youth facilitation work and discuss the guiding principles of best practice of incorporating active engagement across sectors of museums, culture, community and contemporary art practices.

This exhibition is the outcome of a partnership between the Engagement and Learning Programme at IMMA, Gaisce – The President’s Award and Oberstown Children Detention Campus. This partnership illustrates the vital role of building relationships and making connections with wider society and stakeholders and is a public demonstration of the positive value of the Gaisce Awards in terms of supporting the personal development of young people.

26 April 2022

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Contact : For further information and images please contact Monica Cullinane E: [email protected] Patrice Molloy E: [email protected]

Additional Notes for Editors

Exhibition Details
Title: The Ride Away from the Storm: An exhibition by young people highlighting the transformative power of art
Dates: 26 April – 8 May 2022
Admission Free
Open: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10am – 5.30pm. Wednesday: 11.30am – 5.30pm. Sunday: 12noon – 5.30pm. Bank Holiday Monday 2 May: 12noon – 5.30pm.

Discussion:  Exploring Youth Voice in Art and Culture
Thur 5 May 2022, 6.30pm – 7.30pm, The People’s Pavilion, IMMA

About the Partners

Oberstown Children Detention Campus
Oberstown Children Detention Campus (Oberstown) is a national service that provides a safe and secure environment for young people remanded in custody or sentenced by the Courts for a period of detention. Website visit here.

Gaisce – The President’s Award
Gaisce – The President’s Award is a self-development programme for young people under 26 in Ireland which has been proven to enhance confidence and wellbeing through participation in personal, physical and community challenges. Gaisce Awards are a direct challenge by President Michael D. Higgins for young people to ‘dream big and realise their potential’. Website visit here

IMMA
IMMA connects audiences and art, providing an extraordinary space where contemporary life and contemporary art connect, challenge and inspire one another. We share, develop and conserve the Irish National Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art for now and for the future.

SPICE Project
SPICE is an EU H2020 funded project dedicated to citizen curation of cultural heritage. The aim of the project is to foster diverse participation in the heritage domain through a process of citizen curation. Citizen Curation aims to support communities who lack access to the museum to share their perspectives through selecting and interpreting works of art. Website

visit here