Minister Bruton and Minister Madigan today launched Creative Schools, a central initiative of the Government’s Creative Ireland Programme, which puts the arts and creativity at the heart of children and young people’s lives. They encouraged schools right across the State to apply to be part of the initiative.
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.
“Every place is different, and every school is different, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how each of the 150 schools will design their own, unique programme,” she added.
Minister Bruton said: “Creativity and flexibility are vital skills for any young person to have in a modern society. The arts challenge a person to think differently and be inventive in finding solutions to problems. That is why participation in the arts is ideal for equipping young people with the ability to be inventive, critical and adaptable.
She stressed that the pilot would include schools that are at different stages in their own journey with the arts and creativity.
“The most important thing is for schools to confirm their interest in developing the arts and creativity at their school, to show that the school leadership is on board, and that children and young people will be facilitated to have a central role in planning for creativity in their school. Wherever your school is at, this is a really exciting opportunity,” Ms McBride said.
Applications open on the 20th of February and participating schools will be announced in May 2018. Work will begin in schools in September 2018.