Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2016
140. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of artist residencies provided within colleges of education with reference to the arts in education charter; the location of these residencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17901/16]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government recognises the Arts in Education Charter as providing an unprecedented opportunity for children and young people to engage in a proactive and meaningful way with arts in education in Ireland and commits to its implementation. In the context of the Charter, a number of artist residencies have been supported at the Colleges of Education in Ireland. The residencies include:
- Dance artist Lisa Cahill at Froebel, Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education in NUI Maynooth;
- Coiscéim Dance Theatre at St. Patrick's College in Dublin City University;
- Fidelio Trio at St. Patrick's College in Dublin City University;
- Branar Téatar do Pháistí at Mary Immaculate College in the University of Limerick;
- Composer Anne Marie O'Farrell at Mary Immaculate College in the University of Limerick;
- A series of children's literature residencies at the Church of Ireland College of Education, Dublin.
The intention of the residencies, which are supported by the Arts Council, is to ensure that teachers have the opportunity to engage directly with the arts early in their careers, and to develop the skills and confidence to facilitate arts experiences for their students. Each residency was supported for a three year period. Fidelio Trio was the first to start and it came to the end of its third year in 2015. The other residencies are currently either in their final year, or about to enter their final year. The Arts Council intend to support a new set of residencies under the auspices of the Arts in Education Charter.
