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What does Arts in Education practice look like? Read about the processes and partnerships behind current projects happening around Ireland.


Creative Generations – O’Connell CBS P.S. with artist Maria McKinney


Tell us the story of your project – What was the impetus? What was it about? Who was involved? How did you begin?

Jean Mann, Creative Generations Education Curator

We were looking for a primary school in the area local to programme sponsors Central Bank of Ireland and were delighted to find O’Connell School. It is a really interesting school with a rich history, and a very supportive learning environment, which was fantastic to work with. Artist Maria McKinney was a natural choice for working on this project. Her practice is often focused around ecology and I thought this would be a good fit for the primary school age range. Maria brought with her a wealth of experience in working collaboratively with diverse fields of inquiry and a sensibility to materials which made her very suitable for this residency.

Maria McKinney, Artist

I was aware of the Temple Bar Gallery & Studios education programme from seeing some of the previous projects on social media and speaking to the artists that took part. I was very happy when Jean then approached me to do their autumn 2017 session in O’Connell School. I had only recently moved into my studio in Temple Bar and was excited to be involved in their programme so early on.

One of the first things I was told about O’Connell School, in addition to it being a boys’ primary school, was that is was directly below Croke Park. The seating of the stadium almost hangs right over the school. This in itself made it very unique. Then I remembered seeing a news article about birds of prey that are put to work in Croke Park to keep away other animals such as rats and pigeons who might eat the freshly sown grass seeds on the pitch. I wondered whether the boys at the school knew that these very special birds existed right next door to them. I also realised this would be a good opportunity for the boys to learn a little about ecology and habitats of birds and nature in general. I was cognisant of this being an urban school, and wanted to open up a space for the boys to think about other animals.

Around this time I was also involved in an artist-in-school project in Maynooth with Kildare Arts Office and Art School. I decided I would use both opportunities to make work in relation to Birds of Prey. I think this made for a richer project overall as it developed over a longer period of time.

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Spotlight

Artist(s)

Maria McKinney

Jean Mann (Curator)

Teacher(s)

Mr. Gavin

Ms. Coyle


Artforms

Multi-art form

School Level

Primary

School/
Participant Group

O’Connell CBS Primary School


No. Participants

29


Region

Dublin City

Age/Class

fourth class pupils


Dates

October - December 2017


Weblinks


Leading Agency

Temple Bar Gallery & Studios


Other Partners and/or Funders

Central Bank of Ireland

Key themes/ lines of enquiry

Creating a platform for artists to bring contemporary art practice into a classroom environment. Supporting students to explore a variety of artforms and their urban environment.


Curriculum Strands

Visual Art education, Science and Ecology



Maria began an enquiry into birds of prey with the children, through various exercises in drawing, origami, movement/performance and inhabiting the psyche of the bird.

Jean Mann, Creative Generations Education Curator




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