Youth Arts

Application’s for the Red Bird Youth Collective 2024 are now open!

Founded in 2011, Red Bird is proudly youth-led, with participants taking the reins on projects from start to finish. Every week, members dive into free workshops, honing their skills across a spectrum of art forms— from graphic novels, visual art and film to architecture, fashion, digital art, and more.

As a Red Bird member, you don’t just create; you gain hands-on experience in event management, curation, administration, and artistic development. It’s a transformative journey into the world of contemporary visual art in Ireland, offering a real taste of life as a professional artist.

This year’s group of Red Bird’s will be working with established artists Paul McDonnell and Jojo Hynes. 

Paul McDonnell is a dedicated artist and educator with nearly three decades of experience in the film and animation industry. Specializing in stop-motion animation, Paul has contributed to various facets of production, including art direction, props, model-making, set creation, and puppetry. His work is characterised by his dedication to crafting emotionally resonant worlds that showcase Ireland’s rich animation talent.

Notable credits include the award-winning film Ape by Treasure Films and his role as Creative Director for the IFTA-nominated Nana Dee. He has also worked on significant projects such as Igam Ogam, Captain Morten and the Spider Queen, and Cliodhna – Queen of the Banshees for RTÉ. Most recently, Paul served as Art Director for RTÉ Toy Show’s Christmas Idents.

As a lecturer at IADT for over 22 years, Paul has mentored countless students, helping them excel in their craft. He also founded Stiúideo Fia in the West of Ireland, furthering his commitment to advancing the animation industry and specialised training in stop-motion animation.

Jojo Hynes is an accomplished artist, performer, and educator whose practice spans visual art, physical theatre, and digital arts. Her work delves into themes of power, place, myths, identity, and belonging, often linking art with social justice, politics, and alternative education. With over a decade of experience across England, Australia, and Ireland, Jojo is dedicated to fostering collaborative environments where participants can explore and express their voices through various artistic mediums.

Jojo holds an MA with Distinction in Fine Art from Kingston University, London, and has furthered her education with qualifications from Goldsmiths University, NCAD, and GMIT. She is also a Creative Associate with Creative Schools, a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme that nurtures the creative potential of every child.

In addition to her visual art practice, Jojo facilitates physical theatre workshops, drawing on her experience as a performer with Macnas and Earwig! Her multidisciplinary approach continues to inspire and engage communities.