Four Donegal schools are set to have increased access to creative activities as part of the Creative Schools and Creative Clusters initiatives.
Carndonagh Community School, Sn Cholmcille, Baile Na Finne (Fintown), Keadue National School, and Rathdonnell National School were all selected to participate in the Creative Schools programme for 2019-20.
The expansion of these initiatives, as part of the Creative Ireland Programme, places arts and creativity at the centre of school life for over 100,000 students across the country.
Welcoming the announcement, Donegal TD and Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh, said: “We want all children and young people in Ireland to have access to learning in creative arts, as part of a full and rounded education.
“Today’s announcement represents a significant increase in our investment in Creative Schools, Creative Clusters and the Local Creative Youth Partnerships.
“It will enable us to deliver more fully on our ambition to support and nurture the creative potential of our young people within our school communities.
“It is fantastic that the talent of our young people is now being fostered through this range of creative programmes,” he added.
“We want to nurture creative potential, help our young people develop an appetite for discovery and encourage them to acquire the skills they need to achieve their ambitions.
“I look forward to seeing some of the results of these collaborations and initiatives in action in the first Creative Schools National Celebration in November.”
A national celebration of the arts and creativity in schools participating in Scoileanna Ildánacha/Creative Schools will take place from 4-8 November at schools and venues across the country.
Children and young people will have the opportunity to showcase their experiences of the arts and creative learning through their involvement in the initiative.