Immersive Encounters: Arts Council Residency takes root at DCU Institute of Education
The year-long residency, embedded within the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) programme, will explore ways to bridge theoretical arts education with its vital practical application in early years settings. The residency began with a series of performances of The Silver Tree for children aged 0–3 as part of DCU Culture Night in September.
The residency, led by Noonan, is built around a framework of immersive artistic “Encounters” designed to engage students, IoE staff, early years educators, and the wider community. This focus on embedding sustained creative practice is a strategic priority for the University.
Marcella Bannon, DCU Cultural Arts Officer, said:
“This residency is a positive step, deeply rooted in the strong tradition DCU has established over recent years to nurture creative practice within our programmes for future teachers and early childhood specialists. By welcoming Cliodhna Noonan, we are building on that legacy, ensuring our BECE students are equipped with professional, arts-integrated skills that transform learning outcomes. This is collaboration in action.”
Encounters explores how creativity can enrich early childhood education across multiple dimensions. Encounters with Space transform university settings into immersive artistic environments, showing how minimal resources can spark rich creative experiences. Encounters with Students provide hands-on workshops that empower BECE students to integrate arts-based learning into coursework, focusing on wellbeing, communication, and belonging.
Through Encounters with Staff, IoE lecturers and tutors participate in creative professional development workshops, exploring artistic practices that enhance teaching and wellbeing. Encounters with Early Years Settings bring interactive performances—such as Noonan’s The Silver Tree and Dreamtrain—directly to children aged 0–6 and their educators, highlighting the transformative role of the arts in early learning. Finally, Encounters with Inclusion ensure accessibility by tailoring arts experiences in partnership with community groups, particularly for autistic children and those with additional needs.
Artist Cliodhna Noonan expressed her enthusiasm for the residency:
“I'm thrilled to embark on this residency. My goal is to transform familiar spaces into ‘immersive encounters,’ reminding us how powerful and accessible creative exploration can be. We're building a bridge between the university, the students, and the children themselves, ensuring every participant—from a staff member to a toddler—has a chance to rediscover the joy and creative potential of the arts.”
This residency aligns closely with the BECE programme’s commitment to high-quality early years experiences. Dr. Marlene McCormack, Programme Chair at the School of Early Childhood Education, emphasised its academic significance:
“Creativity is a critical component in quality early childhood education that brings joy and endless possibilities to adults and children alike, but it must be valued and nurtured. This residency, led by an artist of Cliodhna’s calibre, will support our students in re-finding and re-feeling the power of creativity within themselves so that it can be woven through their engagement and practice with young children. The Encounters model will give our BECE students confidence and essential, hands-on experiences, preparing them as art-embodied educators to inspire and impact on children’s learning and development.”
About the Programmes
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) at Dublin City University (DCU) prepares students for professional careers in early childhood settings. Its curriculum combines academic theory with practical learning, including mandatory work placements and applied skills training essential for the sector.
The Arts Council of Ireland’s Children and Young People’s Arts (CYPA) Residencies support artists and arts organisations to spend an academic year in higher education institutions focused on teacher education or early childhood care. These residencies foster collaboration between artists and educators, building skills and experience in arts education while enriching the practice of both artists and teaching staff.