It is 40 years this week since the Writers in Schools Programme was launched in the Convent of Mercy School, Limerick by the Arts Council.
Since its inception in 1977 almost a million young people have enjoyed a visit by an artist to their classroom. There have been over 8,000 visits by hundreds of artists to more than 4,000 primary, secondary and special schools throughout the island of Ireland with the aim of inspiring young people to read and to write creatively.
Each year the programme offers a broad range of artists for schools to choose from, both in English and Irish: poets, novelists, children’s writers, dramatists, storytellers and screenwriters.
All artists joining the scheme must meet artistic criteria and undergo thorough training and participate in a mentoring programme, guaranteeing a unique high-quality experience for every school.
Arts Council Director Orlaith McBride said they were enormously proud of the success of the programme over the past 40 years.
“From its humble beginnings in the Convent of Mercy in Limerick in 1977 it has had a powerful four decades of achievement. There is a strong correlation between participation in arts and cultural activities and a child’s wellbeing. Increased exposure to the arts makes for better attitudes towards learning, while at the same time schools which actively promote the arts are nurturing broader interest in the arts among students which helps to boost higher levels of academic attainment,” she explained.
Not only does the programme bring students and artists together to learn and be inspired but it also gives students an insight into what a future career in the arts might look like.
Past members of the Writers in Schools scheme have included Seamus Heaney, Eavan Boland and Paul Durcan. Amongst the writers currently on the scheme are Marita Conlon McKenna, Sarah Webb, Ireland Professor of Poetry Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Billy Roche and Oisin McGann, to name just some.”
Poetry Ireland Director Maureen Kennelly said the experience of working closely with a writer is both enjoyable and memorable, and the creative energy triggered by such encounters can lead to an appreciation of the emotional and intellectual power of language, often lasting a lifetime.”
The Writers in Schools Programme is funded by The Arts Council in partnership with Poetry Ireland.
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