Let’s Stay Together: Anne Cradden

 In this week’s 'Let’s Stay Together' stream Fingal Arts talks with artist Anne Cradden about a well-established and innovative project titled, ‘Room 13 Inquiry’.

Room 13 Inquiry is a collaborative art education project that assists schools in Fingal investigate the potential of hosting an art studio for their students. During this inquiry participants are provided with opportunities to increase their natural capacity for self-expression, philosophical inquiry and art making. Visits to art exhibitions and artists’ studios provide essential experiences for connecting with the contemporary art world and ignite dialogue back in the school studio. Each studio operates as a space where people can share ideas, expertise, facilities, responsibilities and make art.

In 2014 Fingal Arts partnered with two artists and two schools in Fingal to initiate the very first Room 13 studios in Ireland. Room 13 is an international network of school based studios. Anne Cradden became artist-in-residence in Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School and the project is going from strength to strength.

Covid-19 safety measures have resulted in the temporary closure of the studio at Tyrrelstown and Anne has been testing new ways to create connections with the children from a distance. Today she reflects on Room 13 Inquiry and the impact of Covid-19 with Fingal’s Youth & Education Officer Julie Clarke, highlighting the importance of agency, communication, independent thinking, responsibility and creativity in childhood.

Watch this week's stream here: vimeo.com/430346450