Kids’ Own is delivering an Arts in Early Learning and Care project through the Traveller Wellbeing Through Creativity Programme, in partnership with Leitrim Traveller Project.

The project, taking place at Shannonside Childcare, Carrick-on-Shannon, brings together artists, young children, families and educators in a collaborative visual arts programme that explores creativity, visual culture and wellbeing. Working with ECCE-aged children over ten weeks, artists Francesca Hutchinson and Maree Hensey will facilitate a series of artist-led workshops that place children’s creative thinking, experimentation and expression at the centre of the process.

The project will conclude with an intergenerational family sharing day, providing an opportunity for children and their families to celebrate the creative work developed throughout the residency and to reflect on the experiences and relationships formed through the project.

Alongside the children’s programme, the project includes a professional development strand for an Early Career Visual Artist from the Traveller Community. Through a supported mentoring programme, the selected artist will work alongside Francesca Hutchinson and Maree Hensey, gaining experience of collaborative visual arts practice in an early learning and care setting while developing their own practice with children and young people.

About the Programme

The Traveller Wellbeing Through Creativity Programme supports creative projects that contribute to the health and wellbeing of Traveller communities across Ireland. The programme is a partnership between the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Arts Council, Creative Ireland, and Healthy Ireland, under the governance of the National Creative Arts and Health Steering Group.

Through collaborative, community-based arts practice, the programme recognises creativity as an important contributor to wellbeing, participation and cultural expression.

Project Launch

In May 2026, representatives from Kids’ Own attended the national launch of the Traveller Wellbeing Through Creativity Programme at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

Hosted by Pavee Point, the event brought together organisations from across Ireland whose projects had received funding through the programme. The launch provided an opportunity to hear about the breadth of work taking place nationally, meet fellow project partners and discuss shared aspirations and challenges in delivering creative projects with Traveller communities.

The event marked the beginning of the programme, with the Kids’ Own project commencing in September 2026.

Current Update

As part of the project’s commitment to artist development, Kids’ Own has launched an Open Call for an Early Career Visual Artist from the Traveller Community to participate in the mentoring strand of the programme.

Further information about the opportunity, including eligibility criteria and application details, is available on the Open Call page.

The project will continue to be updated as it progresses, with documentation, reflections and outcomes shared here throughout the programme.