Glenswilly National School was the setting today as Minister Joe McHugh formally launched the rollout of Scoileanna Ildánacha/Creative Schools in 150 schools nationwide.
Creative Schools is an initiative of the Government’s Creative Ireland Programme, which puts the arts and creativity at the heart of children and young people’s lives.
The Programme is led by the Arts Council in partnership with the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht with input and support from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
A full list of the Creative Associates who will work with the 150 Creative Schools nationwide is also being announced today.
Creative Schools aims to understand, develop and celebrate the arts, as a core aspect of school life, and to foster children and young people’s creativity and participation in the arts as an integral part of their education in Ireland.
The initiative is informed by research that shows that young people’s participation in the arts leads to a range of positive outcomes for children with regard to their cognitive development, socio-emotional wellbeing and attitudes to school.
Children who participate in the arts in school are more likely to participate outside of school, including reading for pleasure. (Arts Council/ESRI, 2016)
Speaking at the launch today Minister McHugh said; “Putting creativity and the arts at the heart of school life is something that I am passionate about. The arts challenge us to think differently and can change how you look at the world. The Creative Schools project is one that is so important for that reason and I am delighted that it is now being rolled out in 150 schools nationwide.
Minister for Education, Joe McHugh TD pictured with Joseph Gallinagh (Principal), Sarah Elliott, Sarah Murphy and Geraldine Galligan with pupils Layla Rose McCloskey and Liam McEldowney, at Glenswilly National when he visited to launch the Creative Schools Project. (North West Newspix)
“Officials in the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht in partnership with the Arts Council and Creative Ireland are working hard to make this programme a real success. This will inspire young people and help them to develop life-changing skills by getting them involved in the arts in their younger years. It’s an ambition that makes real sense and can make a big difference in how our young people grow and develop and achieve in their lives.”
Up to 150 schools across the country, will participate in the pilot and work with artists, creative practitioners and educators to develop their own unique programme of arts and creative work, connecting them to the full range of local and regional cultural resources and opportunities.
In addition, all schools will also receive a further range of supports including a once-off grant of €2,000 and training for teachers in the school.
For more information see http://www.artscouncil.ie/creative-schools/
Minister for Education, Joe McHugh TD gets a bit of a lecture from Glenswilly National School pupils Lucy Grant and Jamie Spratt when he visited the school to launch the Creative Schools Project. (North West Newspix)
Minister for Education, Joe McHugh TD at Glenswilly National when he visited to launch the Creative Schools Project. (North West Newspix)
Meabh Maguire and the Glenswilly school choir performing for Minister for Education, Joe McHugh TD at Glenswilly National when he visited to launch the Creative Schools Project. (North West Newspix)
