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

This exhibition and collaboration 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 paintings were produced over six months in the art room in Oberstown and each young person selected a work from the IMMA Collection that 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.

IMMA has been working with groups such as Black and Irish, Black Queer Book Club, Dublin City University’s MELLIE Programme, Helium Arts Youth Advisory Group, and New Communities Partnership, to develop citizen curation and share perspectives through selecting and interpreting works of art.

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.

Discussion:  Exploring Youth Voice in Art and Culture
Thur 5 May, 6.30 – 7.30pm, The People’s Pavilion, In-person, Booking essential
A discussion reflecting on the value of youth arts within art, culture and society 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, and John Smith, Oberstown Children Detention Centre. 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.