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This exciting book and DVD documents a broad cross-section of work and people at KCAT Art & Study Centre over the past ten years. It is a wonderful reflection of the vibrancy and inclusiveness of KCAT as an arts community, emphasising the working process.

A must read for anyone working in the area of the arts, inclusion, education, arts practice, special needs, this book includes essays from leading experts in these fields setting a context for texts from KCAT facilitators, tutors, mentors, artists and students, documenting this progressive model of practice

KCAT is the leading Irish organisation in the field of Art and Inclusion and Outsider Art. As a case study, this book records the work of KCAT Art & Study Centre, reflecting the vibrancy and inclusiveness of KCAT as an arts community, emphasising process and evaluating its programmes and outcomes. The methodology is wholly inclusive in every facet of the final product, reflecting the nature of the practice.

KCAT (Kilkenny Collective for Arts Talent) Art & Study Centre is an open access Arts and Life Long Learning initiative, based in Callan, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. Founded in 1999, following on from a pilot phase under the EU Horizon Programme, KCAT first began operating from a disused sausage factory. It has now progressed to a new purpose-built centre on the original site delivering inclusive full and part time art and theatre courses, alongside a professional Studio and Theatre Company programme that combine artists with learning disabilities and other disadvantages with professional arts practitioners.

From the humble beginning of a small group of eight participants, KCAT has grown to over one hundred participants and nine employees. The course element of KCAT’s programme is part-funded through the Vocational Education Committee structure and offers FETAC accreditation to participants. The Studio and Theatre Company are part-funded by The Arts Council. The centre has developed interactive partnerships with comparable projects in many countries in Europe, Japan and Australia.

Recognised as a unique model of practice nationally and strongly engaged in the arts community locally, nationally and internationally, KCAT challenges the “Insider/Outsider Arts” debate. Rather than integrating one group with another, the centre aims to create a new situation in which artists and participants, with and without special needs, can create as equals and in which life long learning is an option for all. An inclusive environment doesn't ask "how does this person have to change in order to fit into the system?" but rather, "how do we have to change to offer full membership to this person”. An inclusive environment is participant centred rather than curriculum centred. Its participant cohort is a more realistic reflection of the community as a whole.

KCAT has extended the boundaries of working process and arts practice and provides a context for deepening the understanding of inclusive arts practice.

Art & Inclusion – The Story of KCAT 183 pages full colour Accompanying DVD included in back cover. ISBN 0-9548559-3-0

This publication has been part funded by Kilkenny LEADER Partnership under the LEADER Rural Development Programme and NRDP Programmes. Camphill Communities of Ireland have supported this book through the Camphill Research College.

For futher information, contact Barbara at KCAT Art & Study Centre, Mill Lane, Callan, Co. Kilkenny. Tel: 056-7755115 www.kcat.ie Email: Barbara@kcat.ie