NETWORK FOR EXTRAORDINARY AUDIENCES
Theatre adventures for audiences of babies, early years and children with complex needs.
The Network for Extraordinary Audiences was formed in 2020. It is a network of eight Irish venues, including Roscommon Arts Centre who have come together with theatre maker Anna Newell to, develop and advocate for high quality arts experiences for underserved younger audiences, including babies, early years and children/young people with complex needs as a key part of their ongoing year-round programme.
The network aims also aims to support the development of work locally with mentored support from Anna that could have the potential to tour nationally, creating a coherent national network of emerging artists making work for these audiences. Such collaboration will ensure that this work is of the highest quality possible and will build both local and national connections with organisations that engage with those who live and work with these audiences to ensure that the work engages parents/caregivers who might not necessarily ordinarily access the arts.
We believe in the fundamental human right of every child to high quality arts experiences, however young or however profoundly disabled they might be perceived to be; and to arts experiences that connect with them in the unique ways in which they engage with the world.
Extraordinary audiences deserve extraordinary art. And, we believe, engaging with these unique audiences with rigour, curiosity and joy produces extraordinary art.
The Network Members are: Roscommon Arts Centre, Hawk’s Well Theatre Sligo, An Grianan Theatre Letterkenny, The Riverbank Arts Centre Newbridge, Draiocht Arts Centre Balnchardstwon, Civic Theatre Tallaght, The Mermaid Arts Centre Bray, Limetree Theatre Limerick and Anna Newell.
Supported by The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
