The Arts Council announced today that offers have been made to 141 schools and centres across Ireland to be part of the Creative Schools initiative.
The Creative Schools initiative gives opportunities for children and young people to build their artistic and creative skills. Each of the 141 schools taking part will receive a grant and work with a professional Creative Associate, who will support them to develop and implement their own bespoke Creative School Plan over a two-year period.
Ten of the invited schools /youth centres are from Cork - Ballinagree National School, Ballintotas National School, Ballinagree National School, Dromina National School, Fermoy Educate Together National School, Kilcoe National School, Scoil Niocláis, St Marks Boys National School, Sunday's Well Boy’s National School, Togher Girls School and Vicarstown National School.
The 141 new Creative Schools comprise 97 primary schools, 25 post-primary schools, 4 special schools and 10 Youthreach centres. Joining the programme this year are five schools in Alternative Settings who cater for young people with severe emotional and behavioural challenges including St Kevin’s School, Cork to receive enhanced supports.
Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council, said: “We extend a warm welcome to the 141 new schools joining Creative Schools. The demand nationwide is a testament to the programme's impact, and we're excited even more schools in Ireland are now part of this creative journey. Collaborating with our partners in the Department of Education, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, as well as Creative Ireland, we anticipate another school year filled with creativity, consultation, and exploration."
