Creating Space was a long term creative intervention project with a cohort of school children and an artist, combining festival visits and creative workshops in the classroom. The project was several years in the making as its start was delayed by the global pandemic from 2020 to 2023.
I'm grateful to Lifes2Good Foundation's unwavering support as we negotiated the stop/start nature of that time. And I would like to acknowledge the Baboró and Merlin Woods Primary School teams who ensured its success, from fundraising via Lifes2Good Foundation and the Arts Council, to delivery.
When the project finally kicked off in 2023 it was expertly managed by Bryony Hussey who laid an excellent foundation for the design of the project, including the recruitment of multi-disciplinary artist Colm Ó Foghú, in collaboration with teacher Aoife de Paor. The careful, considered work at this stage was instrumental to the success of the programme.
The project continued to be carefully managed by Kirsty Warren and Andrew Ormsby. I am enormously grateful to Paula O'Connor, Principal and teachers Aoife, Amanda and Melissa for their openness to this creative intervention in their school. We all know how busy and resource poor schools are, yet they shared our vision to enhance their classrooms with sustained creative stimulus over two years and welcomed us with open arms. Thank you to Dr Rita Melia for her early evaluation work and Dr. Shirley-Anne Godfrey for her research and evaluative report. To the parents and guardians for supporting your children.
And last, but certainly not least, the wonderful students of Merlin Woods Primary School who brought their curiosity, brilliant imaginations, kindness and humour to this project. I hope that there will always be room for the arts in your lives.
Aislinn Ó hEocha
Executive Artistic Director
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children
