Chelsea unveils new mural at University Hospital Limerick
Helium Arts’ Limerick artist, Chelsea Canavan, unveiled a brand new mural this week in the nurses’ station of the paediatric outpatients department in University Hospital Limerick. The mural was painted as part of our hospital outpatients programme – ‘Create While You Wait’, much to the delight of families, patients and hospital staff. ‘Create While You […]
My Place to Be
We’re delighted that our project, My Place to Be, has been commissioned as part of ART:2023, a Decade of Centenaries collaboration from the Arts Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. My Place to Be will be a collaboration between Helium Arts and That’s Life Galway, an arts and personal […]
Helium Arts Launches Strategic Plan 2023-2027
We are delighted to share with you Helium Arts’ Strategic Plan for 2023 – 2027. This strategy sets out our vision, our values and our ambitious goals for the next five years. We are also delighted to share our updated Policy Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as part of this strategy. This policy underpins […]
Good Funding News
Exciting funding news will allow Helium Arts to reach more children and young people in Ireland living with the challenges of lifelong physical health conditions. Here at Helium Arts, as we prepare for our upcoming summer camps this July, we are thrilled to announce a number of recent funding achievements:
Helium Arts on TV!
Did you see it? Helium Arts featured on two RTE programmes on Wednesday 10th May 2023. Make sure to catch up here if you missed it! RTÉ News2Day RTÉ Nationwide RTÉ Nationwide followed Cian and the Murphy family, from Limerick to one of our February workshops which took place in the Southside Child and Family […]
A Fun and Creative February Mid Term Break
In February, we held our first camps of 2023 in 5 different locations – Limerick, Cork, Clare, Mayo and Galway. Here’s how it all went down! We met over 40 children living with lifelong physical health conditions. There were a lot of new faces at the camps, which was fantastic to see. Our artists enjoyed […]
Easter Art Camps 2023
FREE creative art workshops to support children, aged 8-12, with lifelong physical health conditions in living life to the full. Drawing, painting, puppetry, sculpture, film-making, clay modelling and more with a professional artist! Make new friends, learn new skills and have fun during the Easter school holidays! Join our 3 day art camps taking place […]
What’s On – February 2023 with Helium Arts
FREE creative art workshops to support children, aged 8-12, with lifelong physical health conditions in living life to the full. Drawing, Painting, Puppetry, Sculpture, Film-making, Clay Modelling and more with a professional artist! Make new friends, learn new skills and have fun this school mid-term break! Join our 2 day art camps taking place in […]
Fun, shared experiences with friends at our Autumn Camps
At the beginning of November, we held our three day Autumn Camps in five different venues. Alongside Clare, Mayo and Galway we were delighted to introduce two new venues in Roscommon and Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. 27 children in total signed up for the camps. From shadow puppetry to printing presses to stop motion video making, […]
Helium Arts is now a ‘Triple Locked’ Charity
We are delighted to announce that Helium Arts has been awarded ‘Triple Lock’ status by the Charities Institute Ireland (CII). Triple Lock status is awarded to charities that uphold the highest standards in transparent reporting, ethical fundraising and strong governance structures. We are one of only 100 charities in Ireland that are ‘Triple Locked’. In […]
Adventures in Dreamland – 2022 Summer Showcase of Artworks – Galway
This past July 2022, we were delighted to hold an exhibition of children’s art made with artist Sarah Fuller, from the Helium Arts Spring workshops 2022 in the Westside Library, Galway. The exhibition was named ‘Adventures in Dreamland’. Dreamland was imagined and created by the children themselves. The exhibition featured animated films, drawings and photographs […]
Creative Journeys – 2022 Summer Showcase of Artworks Cork
This past June 2022, as part of Cruinniú na nÓg, we were delighted to hold an exhibition of children’s art made with artist Ashleigh Ellis, from the Helium Arts Spring workshops 2022 in the Tory Top Library in Cork. The exhibition was named ‘Creative Journeys’. The exhibition included a hunt for hidden images in the […]
Objects of Wonder – 2022 Summer Showcase of Children’s Artworks – Limerick
This past June 2022, we were delighted to hold an exhibition of children’s art made with artist Chelsea Canavan, from the Helium Arts Spring workshops 2022 in the Limerick City Gallery of Art. The exhibition was named ‘Objects of Wonder’. The exhibition included cubby holes with sculptures, images of creative making, and animations of chaos, […]
“It’s being given its moment!” – An Opinion Piece on the Helium Community Engagement Programme Showcases
In June 2022, Jo Holmwood – Writer, Editor, Cultural producer and Chief Executive Officer (Creative Director) of Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership – was invited to produce a short opinion piece in response to Helium’s Community Engagement Programme showcases. To this end, she engaged in a series of conversations with the three artists leading the programme […]
A Summer of Sun, Fun and Friendships with Helium Arts
Wow this Summer went by so fast! As we get back to school this week we are looking back at a summer of sun, fun and friendships with Helium Arts. SUMMER ART CAMPS (ages 6-12) We were delighted to return to our Spring venues in Limerick, Cork, Mallow and Galway for our Summer Art Camps. […]
Register Now for Autumn Art Camps in Roscommon
Free creative art workshops to help children, aged 6-12, with lifelong physical health conditions live life to the full Is your child living with a lifelong physical health condition? We know it can be lonely. That’s why we want to help you discover life ‘beyond the diagnosis’ and give your child the chance to shine. […]
Register Now for Autumn Art Camps in Tipperary
Free creative art workshops to help children, aged 6-12, with lifelong physical health conditions live life to the full Is your child living with a lifelong physical health condition? We know it can be lonely. That’s why we want to help you discover life ‘beyond the diagnosis’ and give your child the chance to shine. […]
Join the Helium Arts Youth Advisory Group
Are you between 13 and 25 years of age? Are you living with a lifelong physical health condition? Do you want to make new friends and use your voice and creativity to make a difference? Then, we want to hear from you. We are currently recruiting for new members to join the Helium Arts Youth […]
Back ‘Live and In-Person’! Review of the Helium Arts Spring Workshops 2022
During March and April 2022, we ran our 6-week Spring art workshops for children ages 6-12 in 4 different venues across Cork, Limerick and Galway. It was the first time since the pandemic that we got a chance to complete a full series of workshops ‘in-person’. There was great excitement. The workshops took place every […]
Summer 2022 Display of Artworks Created by Helium Arts Participants
Artworks created by children who participated in our recent Spring Programme will go on display in a series of exhibitions across Ireland this summer. Each exhibition will showcase collaborations between our professional artists and young participants. This is a brilliant opportunity for anyone with an interest in Helium Arts to come along to the Family […]
What’s On – Autumn / Winter 2022 with Helium Arts
Free creative art workshops to help children, aged 6-12, with lifelong physical health conditions live life to the full Wondering what’s on this Autumn / Winter 2022 with Helium Arts? Sign up to one of our community workshops today! Our workshops will give your child the space to be themselves, have fun, make new friends, […]
Proceeds from Deliveroo’s ‘Roomantic’ Pizza Boxes by Fuchsia MacAree Support Helium Arts
The takeaway experts at Deliveroo know that the 6th love language is, in fact, Pizza. With that in mind, they have collaborated with Irish Illustrator Fuschia MacAree to turn humble pizza boxes into Valentine’s Day cards like no other. To make this Valentine’s treat even more heartwarming, Deliveroo will be donating €5 to Helium Arts […]
Become One of Helium’s Corporate Heroes By Sponsoring a Child this Christmas
With your organisation’s support, Helium Arts can help transform the lives of children living with long-term health conditions in Ireland. The ESRI states that 13,000 children in Ireland are living with a long-term health condition which seriously hampers their daily lives, leading to social and emotional challenges. A child’s years should be about fun, connection and looking towards […]
Helium Artist Profile: Chelsea Canavan
As part of our new series of Artist Profiles, we’ll be getting to know some of the artists who are part of the Helium team. Up first is Chelsea Canavan. Chelsea is Helium’s Children’s Creative Health Programme artist in Limerick. Chelsea is a visual artist interested in understanding narratives and shared experiences. She often collaborates with other artists, […]
Launch of our Social Return on Investment Study
We’re delighted to launch the results of our recent Social Return on Investment study carried out by S3 Solutions. The research found that the social value of our work is worth almost twice as much as the funding it receives based on the outcomes achieved for stakeholders. This finding highlights the social value of Helium Arts and […]
Helium’s Youth Advisory Group: Making Young People’s Voices Heard
Throughout the past year, Helium artists Ciara Harrison and Rachel Tynan have had the pleasure of working with the seven young people who make up our new Youth Advisory Group. Last summer, we put out a call for young people, aged 15-23, with long-term health conditions to join our Youth Advisory Group. The group was […]
A Little Story for Christmas
On behalf of all of us here at Helium Arts, we’d like to wish you a Happy Christmas. We thought this was the perfect opportunity to share one of our favourite stories from our Creative Health Hub community programme, made possible through the kindness of supporters like you.
Summer Stars online creative project for teenagers with CF
Are you a teenager with CF? Would you like to take part in a creative project with other young people?
Training for Longford/Westmeath Community Mothers
Helium delivered training workshops for Community Mothers in Longford and Westmeath in early spring. Participants learned new, accessible, creative and imaginative play techniques which they could apply to their home visits with parents and babies. Using everyday materials, the Community Mothers made simple performance props like twinkle twinkle hand puppets and ‘peepo’ toys which they […]
Donate your unwanted goods for a great cause!
Brian’s Treasure Chest, a local charity shop in Castle Street, Mullingar, is donating the proceeds of all sales to Helium between May 7th-12th. If you have any pre-loved items you would like to recycle, please drop them into the shop from the 1st of May, & be sure to mention Helium. Books, clothing, toys, small […]
Two Suitcases Project: A creative voice for teenagers living with chronic illness
The Two Suitcases Project is a film & technology project which supports the creativity of teenagers living with chronic illnesses through the development of filmmaking skills. Teenagers have the opportunity to film their own stories or take on acting/production roles in the films of their peers. In February, Ben Murnane filmed his story, Two Suitcases, […]
Creative Connections: Seminar and workshop exploring arts, health, and early years
Helium Arts, in association with Westmeath County Council Arts Office, presents a continuous professional development opportunity for professionals across the arts, health, and early years sectors interested in investigating the role of the arts in supporting very young children, 0-3 years, and their parents. Seminar: Fri, March 30, 1:30pm-4:30pm With Ruth Churchill Dower, Director Earlyarts […]
Two Suitcases: A film and advocacy project raising awareness of young people living with chronic illness
Are you between 16-19 years old and living with a chronic illness or have you spent long periods of time in hospital? Maybe someone close to you has? Are you keen to learn about and try out some filming, acting, editing, or animating? Would you like an opportunity to have your story heard? If you […]
Artist Mentoring Programme in Kildare in partnership with Kildare County Council Arts Services, Barretstown and Helium
Kildare County Council Arts Service invites applications from artists across artforms with an interest in working with children to participate in a new Artist Mentoring Programme. Facilitated in partnership with Barretstown and Helium, this programme offers artists a unique opportunity to receive training, experience the recreational activity model, develop their facilitation skills and reflect on […]
Participatory arts and technology project with teenagers in hospital
Helium’s Artist in Residence programme is moving into a new phase in 2012, with an arts and technology project aimed specifically at teenagers in hospitals with chronic illnesses who are in isolation or who are otherwise unable to have normal interactions with their peers in hospital. Helium is currently working on the preliminary research phase […]
Arts and Early Years Seminar and Workshop in the Midlands
In March 2012, Helium will host a 2-day professional development programme in the area of arts and early years (arts for babies/toddlers and their parents), a very exciting and growing area of work in Ireland. On the Friday, Helium will host a morning of workshops for parents and very young children. These workshops will be […]
Help fund Helium’s latest project for children in hospital and be in with a chance to win Mary Black concert tickets!
HELIUM LAUNCHES “THE STORYTELLERS’ NEW GAMBIT” – A Fund it CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN IN HOSPITAL The Storytellers’ New Gambit is a storytelling and technology performance project led by Helium in collaboration with artists Eléonore Nicolas and Fiona Dowling that we hope, with your help, to bring to the paediatric department of a Dublin hospital this […]
Documentation from ‘Where Are We Now?’ – A symposium examining arts for children in hospital within the context of the Puppet Portal Project
‘Where are we now?’ – A symposium examining arts for children in hospital within the context of the Puppet Portal Project, was hosted by Helium, in collaboration with Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership, at The Ark, Dublin, on October 28th 2011. Perspectives on the Puppet Portal Project were given by Helene Hugel of Helium; Paula Hicks […]
Helium seeks Volunteer Fundraising Assistant
Helium is seeking a volunteer fundraising assistant to work closely with the artistic director in researching and collating information on corporate sponsorship/partnership opportunities to support the company’s programmes. Location Flexible. Helium is based in Westmeath but the successful applicant will also work from their own home and the hours required will be 1-2 days per […]
‘Where are we now?’ – Symposium Speakers and Panel
‘Where are we now?’ – A symposium examining arts for children in hospital within the context of the Puppet Portal Project Friday, October 28th @ The Ark, Dublin SPEAKERS Project Overview Helene Hugel is a puppeteer, performer, and arts and health practitioner, with a qualification in hospital play specialism. She is also artistic director of […]