Certificate in Youth Arts Frequently Asked Questions

How much is this course? How does that cost break down?

The course costs €1250. This is payable in two installments. €200 is paid upon acceptance of place. The balance to be paid before the start of term. The course covers registration with NUI Maynooth, and the cost of tuition, venue, etc over the course of the year. Because this is a specialist course, it is specifically put together for the participants (tutors, specialist lectures and workshops etc) in host venues. NYCI subsidises the course through administration, expert and staff support and are therefore able to keep the costs as low as possible.

Is there funding available for me to undertake this course?

Some county councils offer bursaries for participation in the certificate, you should check with your local arts office for possible funding streams. You should also check with your local VEC youth office and also check if FAS funding is applicable to your situation.

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is suitable for anyone working with young people, partially or entirely through the arts, in the non-formal education sector, who has two years full time or four years part time experience working with young people and has participated in or overseen at least two youth arts projects in a co-ordination or management capacity in that time. (A project is defined for these purposes as at least a 3 session activity with an arts focus).

What background experience should I have?

Please see the information above, but broadly, if you are working with young people, through arts, in the non formal education sector, then you could be a youth worker, community development worker, a youth arts practitioner or be from one of many other professions. 

We prefer to look at what all these professions have in common rather than concentrate on the differences between them. 

You will have an interest in and some experience of youth arts practice and have participated in some youth arts projects, you will use youth arts as part of your youth work practice.

*Application is competitive and we cannot guarantee that those who meet the minimum requirements will gain admission.  

What will the application process be?

• We will begin accepting applications on Monday 24 May 2010. The closing date for applications is 4pm, Wednesday 7 July 2010.
• You will receive email confirmation upon receipt of your application.
• NYCI arts staff will assess all applications according to minimum entry criteria. 
• All those who do not meet minumum criteria will receive a letter explaining that they have not been successful. 
• All those meeting minimum criteria will be invited to a group workshop on Wednesday 21 July 2010. (You must be available to attend this workshop if you are applying).
• The group workshop will include group discussion and activities intended to explore in more detail applicant’s background and experience, expectations of the course etc. We will also explore how people perform in a group and how well people participate. It will be led by a panel comprising the arts team at NYCI, the course tutors and an independent facilitator. Ideally a group will represent a variety of working backgrounds and art forms so that participants can learn from each other aswell as from tutors.
• From the group workshop 20 people will be offered places within five days of the workshop.
• These participants will be asked to accept or decline their place by Wednesday 11 August 2010.
• The course begins on Friday 15 October 2010.

What happens to applicants who are unsuccessful?

We are always keen to support and help anyone in the nonformal education sector who is interested in using more arts in their practice. Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to contact us for feedback on their application. They are also welcome to participate in NYCI’s short term arts training programme during the year and to avail of advice and support in introducing more youth arts into their work. Applicants are welcome to apply again and it is always possible that their experience, skill set and project portfolio will be more developed the following year.
 

When would I know if I’ve gotten a place?

If you are unsuccessful you will receive notification of this after the closing date in July.

If you are invited to group workshop, you will receive notification of this after the closing date in July.

Whether you are successful or unsuccessful at group workshop, you will receive notification by late July (five days after the workshop)

What are the dates for 2010/11?

What can I expect to learn?

You can expect to:

• Explore and develop a range of skills (organisational, planning, creative and imaginative) required for best practice across all areas of youth arts (and youth work more broadly).
• Examine, critique and apply models of good practice in youth arts.
• Examine the role and contribution of youth arts to youth work both as a methodology and powerful means of self expression for young people.
• Develop the skills and knowledge to design, plan, deliver and evaluate youth arts projects at a co-ordination level in their own work setting (including accessing funding, making grant applications, project planning and delivery, crisis management, promotion, documenting and evaluation processes).
• Develop a network of youth arts practitioners, organisations, supports and contacts to aid you in your future work.
• Have an effective understanding of contemporary youth arts practice in Ireland.
• Analyse the value (as well as the challenges) of working collaboratively on youth arts projects.

In addition you will have:

• Explored case studies from small scale, limited resource projects through to cutting edge large scale projects across a range of artforms – drama, dance, visual arts, digital film etc.
• Engaged with and learned from a variety of youth arts specialists and organisations working in Ireland today.
• Explored and enhanced your own delivery and facilitation of youth arts projects.
• Acquired through workshop participation, a repository of games, exercises and “ways in” to youth arts practice within a youth work setting.

You can expect to have further developed the following personal and professional skills:

• Group facilitation, negotiation.
• Leadership.
• Project Management.
• Evaluation Processes.
• Self reflective practice.
• Negotiating and embracing change as a means of creative regeneration both on a personal level and in terms of individual youth arts projects.

I don’t have a degree. Can I still apply?

Yes. This course is a certificate course (a step under a diploma) and therefore you don’t need a previous degree to be eligible. Again, please note that eligibility does not guarantee a place on the course.
 

I haven’t been in education in a long time. What supports will you offer me?

A workshop session designed to support your return to education and offer help and advice on research, note taking, participation and essay writing etc will be offered at the beginning of the course. In addition you will be assigned a tutor who can offer support when needed. Also, the NYCI arts team are always available to support you where possible. It is also encouraged that participants seek support from within their own organisations i.e. from a supervisor or senior colleague.

What other costs can I expect to incur?

Depending on where you are based in the country, you should factor in your travel costs (train/bus, car costs, parking costs in Dublin and meals.)

Again, depending on where you travel from you may need to factor in overnight accomodation where the course runs two days in a row.

You may need to buy some books and study supplies (the amount of folders, pens etc that people require varies!)

You will from time to time be asked to attend performances or events as part of your course also. NYCI will always work to negotiate discounts for the group on your behalf.

You should also think about other costs outside of those above when quantifying what the course will cost you personally. Will you require childcare? If you are freelance, will you have to turn down work on course days? All these things help you to quantify what the course will cost you personally. 

What time commitment besides course days can I expect to make?

The course itself requires 14 course days. In addition you should factor in:

• Your travel time to and from each course day.
• Three essays.
• The design, delivery and writing up of a youth arts project (to be completed over the summer).
• The writing up of your notes and personal learning after course days.
• Any required research, site visits etc.

The time commitment on something like this is very personal. Some people need more time to complete an essay than other people!

What have previous participants said about the course?

Please see the testimonials page

How do they use their learning?

Please see the testimonials page

What award will I achieve?

You will be awarded a Certificate in Youth Arts by NUI Maynooth
 

Why isn’t this course delivered outside Dublin?

As a national programme we are committed to working in as many areas of the country as possible and do this whenever we have the opportunity. However, our research suggests that while it is frustrating for those who live outside Dublin to always be required to travel to Dublin, transport links and access to Dublin from all parts of the country is in general good quality and efficient from most other parts of the country.

Is it possible to upgrade this certificate?

We are exploring the possibility of a pathway for people to upgrade to a youth arts diploma. We hope to have more information on this in the coming months.
 

Does my youth arts experience from outside Ireland count?

Yes of course. It will need to be demonstrated on the application form and references supplied which will also be the case for experience gained in Ireland.

Are certificate students able to avail of the services/ facilities at NUI Maynooth?

As the course is generally delivered in Dublin city, students are not often (if at all) present at the campus in Maynooth. 

All certificate students who are in receipt of an NUI Maynooth student card are entitled to full undergraduate library privileges. This includes access to the library, borrowing of books, use of library equipment including laptops and access to a wide range of electronic books and journals both on campus and from remote locations. Students who wish to avail of full borrowing rights at the NUIM library must attend registration on campus to be issued with an NUIM student card.

Where can students access additional relevant reading/ study material?

Students of the Certificate in Youth Arts can avail of a reduced one year membership of €20 to the Youth Arts Library, located at the Irish Youth Work Centre (IYWC), an initiative of Youth Work Ireland, 20 Lower Dominick Street, Dublin 1. The Centre provides an information, library and training supports service to youth and community workers throughout the country. It acts as a one-stop research and documentation centre developed to respond to the varied information, research and training support needs of those who work in the field and is the leading information and resource centre for youth related issues in Ireland. The Youth Arts Library is a collection of reports, publications and periodicals compiled by NYCI’s Arts Programme over the years as a means of supporting professional development in arts practice with young people. The Youth Arts Library publications are included in the searchable database and online catalogue available on the Youth Work Centre website at www.iywc.com allowing members and others to check what is available before visiting or contacting the centre. For further information about the Youth Arts Library please contact Gina Halpin at Tel: 01 8729933  ghalpin@youthworkireland.ie

Is this a youth work qualification?

No. This is a piece of professional development in the area of youth arts applied to non- formal educational contexts.

What FETAC level does the Certificate correspond to?

This certificate is a university level programme and therefore not part of the FETAC system.

Is the course open to senior young people?

The course is open to all people over the age of 18 in possession of the experience and background outlined above.

Can I pay the course fee in instalments?

Please see the information above on payment of fees.

We can discuss arrangements for extenuating circumstances on a case by case basis.

Graduation cannot be guaranteed where fees are outstanding.

Will I receive a refund if I drop out of the course?

Unfortunately, the booking deposit and/or fee are not refundable.

Where can I access more information on the course?

You can download our brochure from this website,

Call us on 01 4784122; or email anneog@nyci.ie