The Ark is where children come to discover and love art. More than a cultural centre, The Ark makes and shares great art by, for and about children, knowing the impact access to art and culture has on their personal, academic and social development. It is also a place where children express themselves creatively and have their say, as is their right. Since 1995 The Ark in Temple Bar has empowered children as equal citizens through meaningful participation in the arts. Our programme spans all artforms, from theatre and dance to music, visual arts, literature and more. We programme performances, exhibitions, hands-on workshops and in-depth projects for children aged 2-12. We treasure the live experience of theatre, music, dance and visual arts and know that children do too. However, recent years have seen us develop a wide-reaching digital programme of filmed performances, live online workshops and downloadable resources. Through these, The Ark now reaches hundreds of thousands of children across Ireland. Since 2020, over 350,000 children have engaged with The Ark! ‘I think that I grew my own talents in the arts by watching, taking part, and asking questions at The Ark. I developed my confidence in voicing my opinions. Being part of such a beautiful place felt magical to me. It’s a place where children are in charge, where our imaginations are free, and it feels like a second home.’ – Ava, age 11
