Twelve Limerick schools have been awarded a combined €52,000 to put arts and creativity at the heart of students’ learning.
The funding comes under the Arts Council’s Creative Schools programme, which will see 156 schools and Youthreach centres across Ireland share €664,000 to develop creative activities tailored to their students.
The Children’s Ark Limerick Mid-Western has secured the largest award locally, receiving €8,000, while 11 other Limerick schools and centres have each been granted €4,000.
Those receiving €4,000 are Bulgaden National School, Castletroy College, Coláiste Nano Nagle, Youthreach Education Centre, Murroe National School, Our Lady’s Abbey Girls’ School, Scoil Naomh Iósaf, Shanagolden National School, Shountrade National School, St John the Baptist Boys’ National School and St Nicholas’ National School.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan congratulated the successful applicants, saying more than 1,400 schools had now participated in Creative Schools since its launch in 2018.
“Creative Schools is one of the many State initiatives which aims to centre arts and creativity in the lives of young people across the country,” he said.
Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton said creativity was an important part of children’s development, both academically and personally.
“Creativity plays a vital role in every child and young person’s education, helping them to build confidence, express themselves, develop critical thinking skills and strengthen their connection with their school and community,” she said.
She added that the programme gave students “a real voice in shaping creative projects that reflect their interests, talents and experiences”.
The latest round of awards includes 16 special schools, 45 DEIS schools, nine Irish-language medium schools and six Youthreach centres nationwide.
The programme prioritises applications from DEIS schools, rural schools and special schools, with 10 schools in hospital settings also joining this year.
These schools will receive additional funding and support to help ensure children and young people can access creative opportunities.
Chair of the Arts Council Maura McGrath said the initiative was an important part of its work to encourage young people’s engagement with the arts.
“Creative Schools is an integral part of the Arts Council’s ongoing work to support development and engagement in children and young people’s arts,” she said.
“It is a fantastic programme which has been shown to enhance young people’s well-being, their self-esteem and their connection to their school.”
Creative Schools is led by the Arts Council in partnership with the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Creative Ireland.