merrion street

Saturday, October 5th 2013: Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, will open an exhibition of second level students' art work as part of the Creative Engagement initiative of the NAPD (The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals), at the Riding School, in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin.

The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals is the professional association for second level school leaders in Ireland. They promote an arts in education programme - Creative Engagement - which is funded by the Department of Education & Skills as well as the Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht since 2006. To date, over 300 projects across a wide range of disciplines have been completed. On average a total of 60 -70 school projects are successfully assessed annually with each school receiving €1,000 - €1,500.

Speaking at the event Minister Deenihan commented "Creative Engagement is an example of the type of initiative I want to encourage. Engagement with the arts is, of course, the cornerstone of the Arts in Education Charter which I launched with Minister Quinn at the beginning of this year. This Charter sets out an innovative way for Government Departments, agencies, cultural institutions and the education and arts system as a whole to work together to encourage children and young people in their artistic engagement and expression."

The Minister also acknowledged the role of the Arts Council noting that through its Artists in Schools Programme, Creative Engagement and the work of Arts Officers in each county schools get the opportunity to work in arts partnerships.

Concluding Minister Deenihan said "the arts must be a larger part of the life of children and young people. Over time, I hope we can help schools to become 'arts rich' as envisaged in the Arts in Education Charter."