Waterford
is the largest city in southeast Ireland. It's a dynamic cultural
and economic centre with a long and varied history. The population
of the City is 50,000, and it has a large catchment area. For
more information about Waterford, click here.
Waterford
Youth Arts (formerly known as Waterford Youth Drama) is a youth
and community arts resource which enables young people to participate
in creative activity as a means of self-expression and development
in a safe, professional and enjoyable environment.
WYA
is recognised nationally as one of the country's leading youth
arts organisations, and each week over 400 young people take
part in its activities.
Established
in August 1985 as WYD, WYA has grown from the voluntary efforts
of two individuals and 25 young people to a fully-structured
youth arts organisation with a paid staff.
Waterford
Youth Arts provides a comprehensive quality response to the
creative aspirations and developmental needs of young people
in the Southeast.
INFORMATION
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
To
the general public, the most visible aspect of WYA is its drama,
dance and film productions. But WYA is primarily an educational
organisation, and its main activity is operating its Workshops.
WYA
runs drama, dance, film and creative writing Workshops throughout
the year for young people. These Workshops take place every
week and are run by professional tutors.
Waterford
Youth Arts provides an outlet for artistic expression among
young people. Youth arts activity is a proven method of personal
development and education. Through youth arts, WYA aims to:
enable
young people to articulate their needs clearly in a safe group
enable
young people to develop interpersonal skills, such as confidence,
social interaction, responsibility sharing, planning, decision
making, and problem sharing
introduce
young people to new and innovative elements of the arts
provide
training and education in creative skills
WYA
is always interested in finding new potential adult leaders.
We offer in-service training and huge challenges. Are you interested?
If so, ring WYA at 051-879377. (WYA operates a screening process
to ensure safety within the organisation.) Click here
to go to the Volunteer page.
VIDEO
In
1997 WYA (then Waterford Youth Drama) was a finalist in the
AIB Better Ireland Awards. Here's a contemporary RTE feature...
WYA:
A COMMUNITY ASSET
Waterford
Youth Arts is clearly committed to communities, in particular
communities experiencing disadvantage. At the very core of the
work of WYA is the Outreach Drama Workshop Programme. Outreaching
into four communities in Waterford, weekly workshops in drama
are led by experienced drama tutors. The workshop programme
is very strong, with groups over-subscribed in some areas.
WYA
is grant aided by The Arts Council - An Chomhairle Eireann,
FAS, Waterford City Council, City of Waterford VEC Waterford
Youth Committee, The Ireland Funds.
WYA
also has a Corporate Friend and Patron Scheme to encourage Companies
and individual business people to support the work of creative
young people.
If
you'd like to advertise in the programme of the next WYA production,
or help WYA in some other way, ring Cathy Hanrahan (Administrator).
Click here for contact information.
MORE
ABOUT WYA
Waterford
Youth Arts promotes access for all young people to the creative
arts, in particular young people from disadvantaged areas. WYA
delivers community-focused programmes in areas of Waterford
which in general are lacking an arts tradition, e.g. inner city
areas and urban housing estates. We positively encourage the
involvement of young people with special needs.
WYA
is founded on the principles of youth work and has strong working
links with other youth and community groups in Waterford.
'Waterford
Youth Drama is a valued and respected part of Waterford life'
- Vivien Hewington, Cambridge Arts Theatre
'Youth
Drama is alive and kicking in Waterford' - The Examiner
'A
regional resource for younger audiences'- The Arts Council
/ An Chomhairle Ealaion
'I
was particularly impressed by the level of professionalism in
the company' - B.T. National Connections Assessor
22
years a growing...
Then...
"Claire Hayes said to Ted O’ Regan
'Ted, wouldn’t it be great to have a drama group for young
people now that Ciotóg is finished?' (Ciotóg was
the first Theatre In Education Company in the southeast).
"Ted
said 'T'wud'.
"A
group of young people came together at Garter Lane Arts Centre
in 1985 for drama under the leadership of Claire Hayes and Ollie
Breslin, to become known subsequently as Waterford Youth Drama."
(from a piece
written by Claire Hayes)
And
Now...
Waterford Youth Arts is recognised
nationally and internationally as one of the largest and longest-established
youth arts organisations in Ireland. WYA‘s Outreach Drama
Workshop Programme is one of the largest of its kind in the
country for young people.
Over the last 22 years, Waterford
Youth Arts has managed to reach out to over 5,000 young people,
encouraging and facilitating them to explore their creativity
and collaborate with professional artists and practitioners.
Waterford Youth Arts incorporates
three departments working in different art forms; Waterford
Youth Drama, WYD-Eye Film Unit and WYDMoves Contemporary Youth
Dance.
In December 2005, Waterford
Youth Arts took possession of the anchor tenancy of The Arch,
Barrack Street, a milestone development for the organisation's
21st anniversary year. Waterford Youth Arts has a ‘home’
and lovely studio/rehearsal space in which to work with young
people. The Arch is also made available to the community.
Click to enlarge
Waterford Youth Arts continues
to produce youth theatre, commission new writing, collaborate
with professional artists, produce award winning short films,
create innovative contemporary youth dance productions, co-produce
works with others, participate in international youth arts projects,
is a regional arts resource to youth and community work and
supports people with special needs to become theatre-makers.
All of this is enabled through
the efforts and support of Waterford Youth Arts’ funders,
volunteers, voluntary management committee members, helpers,
parents, the staff team and the benefit in kind extended by
those in the business community and our colleagues in the arts
sector locally.
Many
have put their shoulder to the wheel over the last 21 years.
You know who you are; we thank you.
INTRODUCTION
