Belfast Children's Festival 2008 - Latest News

Give yourself a pat on the back!

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Young at Art has successfully run a Volunteers Programme in conjunction with their annual Belfast Children's Festival since 1998 and extended it to include young volunteers in 2007. In 2008 the festival became the first Northern Ireland-based arts organisation to be awarded an accreditation from "Investing in Volunteers", the UK quality standard for all organisations involving volunteers.

With a real commitment to volunteering, volunteer management policies and procedures that meet nationally recognised standards Young at Art shows how volunteering amongst young people has long proven to have a variety of positive outcomes for not only the individual but also their wider community. Young people can build the skills, experience and confidence which will benefit them throughout their lives and enable them to remain involved in the community.

In 2009 the Young Volunteer Programme was more successful than ever due to help from the Youth Justice Agency of Northern Ireland. A record number of volunteers were involved with the festival, 45 in total helped at a range of events during the Belfast Children's Festival 22 May - 31 May 2009.

We would like to take the time to thank ALL the volunteers who helped with the 2009 festival and hope to see you again in 2010!

Thank you for coming to this year's festival!

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Please take a few moments to tell us what you thought and be entered into a Prize Draw to win a Golden Ticket for the 2010 festival.

What did you see?
Did you enjoy it?
Were staff and volunteers helpful & friendly?
Do you think your festival visit was value for money?
What did we do well and what could we do better?

CLICK HERE to fill out our questionnaire and enter our free prize draw to win a Golden Ticket for the 2010 Belfast Children's Festival.

We greatly appreciate all your feedback!

Thank you for your time and Good Luck!

The Belfast Children’s Festival isn’t over yet! There’s still loads more to see….

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

WORLD PREMIER….Twinkle Twinkle

There was a crooked man, in a crooked house...

A world premiere based on the children’s nursery rhyme. Puppetry and live music combine to tell a charming story about a little crooked bass player who lives in a little crooked house and whose only friends in the world are the moon and the stars.

· Sat 30 May 11am, Sat 30 May 3pm, Sun 31 May 11am, Sun 31 May 3pm

· Age: 3 - 7 yrs

· Tickets: £7

· Family ticket: £24

· Family plus ticket: £34.50

Queen

A story about love, power and sound effects

The majestic story of the bitter fight for the English throne between Elizabeth 1 and Mary Stuart set in a radio studio. This humorous theatrical radio play reduces a complicated story to its essential elements and is told in a way everyone can understand, with galloping coconut-shells and a storm in a bucket. Of course at the end Mary loses her head. Or was it just an apple?

· Fri 29 May 10:15am, Fri 29 May 12pm, Sat 30 May 12:15pm, Sat 30 May 2:30pm, Sun 31 May 12:15pm, Sun 31 May 2:30pm

· Age: 10 yrs +

· Tickets: £7

· Family ticket: £24

· Family plus ticket: £34.50

AND THERE’S MORE award winning author Ann Bryant is putting on a free event in No Alibis on Saturday at 2pm and Ian Sansom (the Author of the truth about babies) is doing a special free reading of King Matt the First at the Waterfront on Saturday, 4pm.

AND EVEN MORE FREE FUN….

Listen to specially composed pieces by internationally renowned artists as you move through the award-winning Silver Sounds exhibition. Drawn from over 300 pieces in the Queen’s silver collection, many of these pieces have not been accessible to visitors for many years. Children will be able to explore and interact with the silver on display using a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), using technology developed by SARC and Fällt. Before or after the tour, experiment with your own non-precious silver. Create dragons, masks, even your own hallmark at a free drop in workshop with local artist Heather Wilson.

Under 4's spoilt for choice

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This year the Belfast Children’s Festival (22 May – 31 May), run by Young at Art, has an exciting international programme guaranteed to get dominos in motion and have even the tiniest tots toppling into the city for some festival fun. The under 4's - an often overlooked age-group, will be spoilt for choice at the Belfast Children’s Festival this May.

Baby Rave - Baby SKA

Dance to the toddler two-tone

The first Baby Rave in the world returns to its home with a new theme for 2009. From the two-tone beats of The Specials, it’s black and whites all the way as the DJ and dancers help you and your babies move and groove.

What a Wonderful World

Hop on the sleeper train & dream of a new world

Before anything new is made it must first be dreamed. Come on a magnificent journey through the world of dreams, explore the universe and get your hands on the stuff of creation. You'll get a big bang out of it! Following the success of Egg and Spoon, Lyngo Theatre Company returns.

Concertos para bebes (Concerts for babies)

A big party of sounds, music and colour

Sit on comfortable, colourful cushions surrounded by musicians and singers and listen to the wonderful mix of sounds in this special concert for babies. With lots of smiles, dancing and clapping of hands this is a light-hearted introduction to the world of classical music for the tiniest ears.

Twinkle Twinkle

There was a crooked man, in a crooked house...

We offer groups visiting the festival a special discount rate of £4 per ticket and for every 10 tickets bought you get 1 free;

· School/Group discounts – up to 40% off full price tickets available to all schools and groups with no minimum number required

· Friendship Fund – tickets as low as £1 for groups experiencing hardship

· Free teachers tickets – one free for every ten tickets purchased.

· Free Carers tickets – available only to group bookings with patrons with special needs. Maximum 5 per group.

The Belfast Children’s Festival runs from 22 May – 31 May. For further information and to book tickets go to the website www.belfastchildrensfestival.com or call Box Office on 028 9033 4455.

Champion of the Child exhibition and workshop

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Champion of the Child tells the moving and inspiring story of Janusz Korczak (1879-1942). A pioneer of children’s rights and a key influence on the 1979 UN Convention on Children’s Rights, Korczak devoted his life to the rights and wellbeing of children, regardless of nationality or religion. The exhibition shows how his teachings on the treatment of children continue to resonate around the world today and chart his efforts to protect children from the horrors of the Warsaw ghetto before his death in Treblinka concentration camp. The exhibition features drawings by Itzhak Belfer, now an Israeli artist of international renown and one of the children saved by Korczak.

To mark the 30^th anniversary of the UNCRC, a workshop aimed at children aged 10 – 13 yrs and led by staff from the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) will explore the UN Convention. The workshop is available for schools and groups visiting the exhibition and supports the school curriculum under Personal Development and Mutual Understanding and Local and Global citizenship strands.

If you are interested in one of the Workshops please go to the Schools section of the Young at Art website and download the booking form from the grey downloads box at the bottom of the page.

There is limited availability please contact Young at Art on 028 9023 0660 for further details.

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More of it than we think 3 winners announced

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Thanks to everyone who entered submissions to the Belfast Children’s Festival and University of Ulster “More of it than we think 3” exhibition. We are delighted to anounce the winners!

This is the third year of the programme and our first working in partnership with the University of Ulster. We were delighted to see the level of commitment, originality and skill evident in the work submitted. We were also delighted by the variety of topics, artforms and media used.

Drum roll please.....

And the winning groups are

Portrush Primary School
Linenhall Arts Centre
Positive Futures
National Deaf Children's Society
Wheelworks
St Mary's Primary School
Millennium Court Arts Centre

Well Done to everyone!

Are you interested in volunteering for the festival?

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Are you interested in the arts? Do you want to work with children and young people? Do you want to learn new skills and meet new people? Young at Art is recruiting volunteers for its annual Belfast Children's Festival, which runs from 22 May to 31 May 2009.

The volunteer team will play a vital part in helping families and schools as they attend events, and assisting artists backstage and in workshops. Young at Art has a range of challenging and fun opportunities to involve volunteers aged 14 and up.

No arts experience is necessary but an interest in enabling children and young people to explore their creativity is a must. All necessary training will be supplied. Events take place on weekdays and weekends, in mornings, afternoons and some evenings throughout the festival.

Young at Art is keen to hear from organised groups who would be interested in volunteering for the festival as a group activity. Please contact Young at Art if you would like to discuss how your group can get involved.

To apply to be a volunteer, you must complete and return an application pack.

How to Apply

Download a volunteer application pack here. Click the link & then click the Grey downloads box at the bottom of our Getting Involved section of the website.

Or request a pack from Young at Art on tel: 028 9023 0660 or email: admin@youngatart.co.uk

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORMS

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Volunteering opportunities available:

Front of House volunteers
Workshop volunteers
Backstage volunteers
Baby Rave dancers
MCs at performances
Box Office support
Promotional assistants

To apply to be a volunteer, you must complete and return an application pack by 30 APRIL 2009.

How to Apply

Download a volunteer application pack here. Click the link & then click the Grey downloads box at the bottom of our Getting Involved section of the website.

Or request a pack from Young at Art on tel: 028 9023 0660 or email: admin@youngatart.co.uk

Making Space 2: The Sound and the Feel

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Chaired by Doctor Tom Maguire, this companion seminar will examine how sound, music and objects can be brought into live music and theatre events to enhance the experience of young audiences, and particularly early years. It will include contributions from Theatr Sgaramusch, Musicalmente and Lyngo Theatre Company.

Making Space (formerly Open Space) is an annual discussion forum set up by Young at Art in 2001. It brings together individuals, artists and practitioners with an interest in youth arts to discuss common issues and explore new developments.

The 2009 forum will be curated by the University of Ulster and will combine performances and discussion in an intensive full-day programme. Spaces will be limited and early booking is advised. Delegate packages will include tickets to performances.

If you are interested in attending one of the Making Space forums please go to the Getting Involved section of the Young at Art website and download your application form from the grey downloads box at the bottom of the page.

Making Space 1: The Look

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Chaired by Professor Carole-Anne Upton, this one-day programme will discuss the importance of visual literacy in children’s theatre and where design enters the development process in creating theatre for young audiences. It will include contributions from Carte Blanche, Compagnio Rodissio and Cahoots NI.

Making Space (formerly Open Space) is an annual discussion forum set up by Young at Art in 2001. It brings together individuals, artists and practitioners with an interest in youth arts to discuss common issues and explore new developments.

The 2009 forum will be curated by the University of Ulster and will combine performances and discussion in an intensive full-day programme. Spaces will be limited and early booking is advised. Delegate packages will include tickets to performances.

FRONT OF HOUSE Application Forms

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Work for the Belfast Children's Festival 2009. Do you Want to be a Front of House Manager? Are you motivated? Can you work as part of a team?

Front of House Managers will play a key role during the annual Belfast Children’s Festival, presenting the public face of the festival and ensuring the Front of House operates in a friendly, smooth and efficient manner.

This is a unique opportunity for motivated team players with previous customer care experience and excellent organisational skills to work in the field of arts for children and young people.

All Front of house staff recieve training and support and get to attend events for free.

So if you're interested in working for the 2009 Belfast Children's Festival, please download the Front of House Application Pack below.

To apply to be a volunteer, you must complete and return an application pack by TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2009.

How to Apply

Download a Front of House application packhere. Click the link & then click the Grey downloads box at the bottom of our Getting Involved section of the website.

Or request a pack from Young at Art on tel: 028 9023 0660 or email: admin@youngatart.co.uk

MORE OF IT THAN WE THINK 3 - Call for submissions

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Have you been working with children and young people through the arts? Do you have exciting and original work that you think the rest of the world should see?

Following the success of its exhibition programme in 2007 and 2008, the Belfast Children's Festival is once again inviting submissions from schools, groups, after-schools clubs and individual artists. With the support of its special partners in 2009, University of Ulster, all work selected will be displayed in venues throughout the Belfast Children's Festival from 22 May-31 May 2009 and participating groups will receive support to attend the festival and see their work on display.

APPLICATION DOWNLOAD

To download application forms click the link below & then click the Grey downloads box at the bottom of our Schools / Youth & Community section of the website:

MORE OF IT THAN WE THINK 3 Application Pack

Baby Rave goes to the Ulster Hall

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Due to popular demand Baby Rave is back!

As part of the reopening celebrations for Belfast's Ulster Hall a Family Open Day will be taking place on 15 March 2009.

Parents and children are invited to take part in guided tours, workshops and boogie at the Baby Rave. Baby Rave is a sensational interactive dance and music event for parents and children from 0-4 years. Complete with DJ, lighting, dance facilitators and projections tiny dancing feet will shake the foundations of the Ulster Hall.

Don't miss out! Come and help inject some new energy back into old floorboards at Belfast's newly refurbished Ulster Hall.

Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment. Call Box Office on 028 9033 4455

Venue: Ulster Hall

Date: 15th March 2009

Time: 11am, 1pm & 3pm

Age: 0-4 years

Ticket Prices: Ticket £4, Family Ticket £12 (admits 4)

Box Office Number: 028 9033 4455

We Hope to see you there.

Baby Rave 21 June, Lurgan Park. Tickets on sale now

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It's gone global, travelling to Australia and back again! Don't miss out on the chance to enjoy the child-sized rave on home ground this month.

Baby Rave at Lurgan Park
A Midsummer's Dream Festival event www.lurganpark.com
Saturday 21 June 2008 from 11am
4 sessions ( 1 hour duration)
£5 per person/ Family ticket £15

Buy tickets from:

Millennium Court Arts Centre 028 3839 4415
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205

Visit www.myspace.com/belfastbabyrave Sign up as a friend and be kept informed of any future Baby Rave events!

Tell us what you thought of the 2008 festival & you could win a golden ticket for next year.

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It is really important for us to know what you thought about the 2008 Belfast Children's Festival. What did you like best? Is there something that you did not like? What could we do better? We value your opinions.

For the chance to win a golden ticket for the 2009 festival, please take afew moments to give us your feedback. We have devised a short and simple questionnaire click here

Thank you!