A second phase of Being & Belonging, an arts project that places 4 artists in 4 parent & toddler groups in the border counties of Ireland, began this spring. This project is delivered in partnership with Early Childhood Ireland and Early Years – the organisation for young children, Northern Ireland, and is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Reconciliation Fund.

Artists Maree Hensey and Naomi Draper  are working with parent and toddler  groups in Castlefinn, Co. Donegal and Beleek, Co. Fermanagh; Kate Wilson and Jess Reed with parent and toddler groups in Cavan Town & Derrylinn, Co. Fermanagh.

Through a creative and exploratory process, the project aims to celebrate creativity, diversity, inclusion and family learning. Being & Belonging also aims to build a north-south interagency framework that will support a culture of mutual respect and understanding, both within family homes and within the wider community.

Artist Kate Wilson has been documenting the project through her practice.ie artist’s page. To create an inclusive environment, Kate and Jess have been involving parents in arts activities such as creating shapes on the theme of spring that will later be sewn onto a play mat.

The project will culminate in an early years publication for parents & children, to be launched in summer 2014.

The first phase of Being & Belonging resulted in the publication of Opening the Door, a research and process document, sharing learning and outcomes of the project, which was supported by additional funding from the Arts Council of Ireland. This book is available to buy from the Kids’ Own Online Bookshop.