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Extraordinary Audiences Network

Riverbank Arts Centre is a partner of a new network founded by Anna Newell Theatre Adventures which aims to develop, promote and advance work for diverse audiences.The Network For Extraordinary Audiences is seven Irish venues coming together to commit strategically and in the long-term to programming and developing high quality arts experiences for underserved younger audiences, including babies, Early Years and children/young people with complex needs as a key part of their ongoing year-round programme.It is initially a formalisation of theatremaker Anna Newell’s relationships with these seven venues, all of whom have, variously programmed, supported, commissioned, developed and/or produced her work for these underserved audiences.

This commitment is not simply to programme this work as a network but to develop work locally that could have the potential to tour nationally. This would create a coherent national network of emerging artists making work for these audiences with strategic and ongoing bespoke mentoring in collaboration with Anna. Such collaboration will ensure that this work is of the highest quality possible and will build both local and national connections with organisations that engage with those who live and work with these audiences to ensure that the work engages parents/caregivers who might not necessarily ordinarily access the arts.

We believe in the fundamental human right of every child to high quality arts experiences, however young or however profoundly disabled they might be perceived to be; and to arts experiences that connect with them in the unique ways in which they engage with the world.

Extraordinary audiences deserve extraordinary art.

And, we believe, engaging with these unique audiences with rigour, curiosity and joy produces extraordinary art.

Members of the Network of Extraordinary Audiences include:

Anna Newell Theatre Adventures

Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Co. Dublin

Draíocht, Blanchardstown, Co. Dublin.

Hawkswell Theatre, Sligo

Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray

Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare

Roscommon Arts Centre