Belfast Children’s Festival arrives at the MAC

The Belfast Children’s Festival is curated by Young at Art, one of Northern Ireland's leading children's arts not-for-profit companies. Young at Art coordinates a wide variety of projects that encourage children and young people under 18 to enjoy the arts, believing passionately that every child should have the right to access exciting and original creative experiences, regardless of who they are or where they come from.

Join us at the MAC for a range of exciting shows in partnership with the festival this year.

We will be journeying to Neverland with a group of unwitting adults in Expedition Peter Pan, discovering how and why the wind blows in Loo, exploring war through the eyes of children in Oorlog (War), learning moves that are out of this world in The Alien's Guide to Dance Gone Wrong, and immersing little ones in sound and music in Baby Daddy.

We also have special offers in our Café Bar during the festival, offering 10% off for all delegates and a free Fruitshoot with every kids meal.

Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, states:

“The quality of the performances, such as ‘Oorlog’ (War) by Theater Artemis and ‘Removed’ by Prime Cut Productions, is extremely important, because for many young people the Belfast Children’s Festival is their first real encounter with international professional arts, and it leaves a lasting impression.

High-quality engagement with the arts at an early stage can have such a positive impact on a child’s learning and development, as it awakens lively, enquiring minds and encourages young people to see the world as full of wonder, diversity and possibility.

With the theme of ‘Our Place in the World’, this year’s festival will introduce young people to the stories of the lives of people from other countries and cultures, helping everyone to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a global citizen.

As principal funder, through our public and National Lottery funds, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support Young at Art and the Belfast Children’s Festival as it continues to create opportunities for children and young people of all abilities, from all backgrounds and circumstances, to access great art. This is an investment in our children’s creative potential and in their fundamental right, as children, to enjoy enriching creative lives.”

For more information on the 21st Belfast Children’s Festival, visit www.youngatart.co.uk