Minister for Education and Skills Jan O’Sullivan T.D. and the Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys T.D. officially launch Ireland’s Arts in Education Portal on 19 May 2015 at the Printworks in Dublin Castle.
Speaking at the launch, Minister O’Sullivan said, “The Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht became co-signatories of the “Arts in Education Charter” in December 2012. The Charter plays a pivotal role in promoting both Arts Education and Arts in Education among children and young people through the alignment of a joined up, integrated and collaborative approach across Government Departments, education agencies and arts organisations. Arts in Education practice enriches the lives of all those involved, from children and young people to artists and teachers. The arts are particularly powerful in nurturing and developing the minds and imaginations of our children and young people.
Speaking also, Minister Heather Humphreys said that “The newly launched Arts in Education Portal will be the key national digital resource for arts and education practice in Ireland. Underpinning the development of the Portal is a strong and implicit shared belief amongst all stakeholders of the intrinsic value of the arts in the lives of children. The Portal – through the content that it shares – will have a critical role in advocating this value. The Portal will reflect best current practice that is taking place in Ireland. Its vision is to establish a structure through which the arts and education community can be developed, and as such, the launch of the Portal represents just a beginning.
Supported by the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Portal will provide a platform through which good collaborative practice in the arts-in-education and arts education will be supported, developed and enhanced. Submissions for the Portal will be invited on an ongoing basis. A communications strategy is planned which will outline ways for the Portal Editor to maintain ongoing dialogue and communication with the arts/education community. The Portal will provide an unprecedented opportunity for all stakeholders and young people to engage productively with the arts in education in Ireland.
Speaking at the launch, Professor John Coolahan, Chairperson of the Charter Implementation Group, said "The Charter is a landmark attempt at co-operative policy endeavour for the arts-in-education. The Portal demonstrates the key principles of good collaborative practice and provides an unprecedented opportunity for young people throughout the country to engage productively with arts-in-education."
Approximately 500 people attended today’s launch, comprising current and former Ministers, policy makers, school managers and leaders, teachers, artists, arts organisations, local authority arts officers, curriculum specialists and academics.
Portal Website: www.artsineducation.ie
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