Freelands Foundation funding and partnership with NI secondary schools announced
We are pleased to announce its new partnership with six secondary schools from across Northern Ireland, that aims to cultivate an exchange between teachers, artists and the MAC to demonstrate the value of art education in schools. This initiative has been made possible through a significant grant awarded to the MAC as part of the prestigious Freelands Foundation Autumn 2023 Fund, designed to develop new approaches which reimagine art education.
The schools taking part in this innovative partnership, are Newry High School, Cullybackey High School, Hazelwood Integrated College Newtownabbey, St Louise Comprehensive College Belfast, St Benedict’s College Randalstown and St Conors College, Portglenone.
As part of this three year long project, Artist Teachers will undertake Fellowships based at the MAC; Classroom time will move to the MAC where teachers and students have full access to our resources, galleries and team; and the MAC artistic team will become residents in school exploring curating and artmaking. Socially engaged artists will be co-commissioned to collaborate with each Artist Teacher and their students.
Mark James-Matthews, Grants Manager from Freelands Foundation said: “Freelands Foundation are delighted to be supporting The MAC to collaborate with local secondary schools through the Autumn 2023 Fund. The MAC’s provision of space, time, and resource for professional and artistic development represents a radical investment in Northern Irish teachers, but also provides important opportunities for wider discussions on the value of art education in schools and communities of Northern Ireland.”
Lisa McGinley, Interim Director at the MAC expressed her enthusiasm about the project, stating: “This funding from Freelands Foundation will enable us to bring to life an ambitious co-designed project with these secondary schools here in Northern Ireland. The funding will also make it possible for us to support Artist Teachers in a meaningful way to critically develop their practice as artist/teachers.
"Since the MAC was established, a key priority of our work has been enabling children and young people to grow with us. Over the next three years we will champion Artist Teachers and inspire students, shifting the perception of arts education in schools and reinstating the value of art within the education system so students are encouraged to undertake careers in the creative industries and impact on wider society.”
Joanne Fitzpatrick, Head of Art & Design, Hazelwood Integrated College shared: “We are delighted that our application with the MAC has been successful. Throughout this project we hope to embark on an exciting journey to elevate the role of art in education.
We hope to encourage improved creativity, innovation and enjoyment of art and design for our students, teachers, and the wider community. This project will allow us to empower young minds beyond the confines of traditional learning within the classroom and experience experimental approaches to art education."
The MAC’s partnership with these schools aligns perfectly with the goals of the Freelands Foundation, which seeks to empower education through art, ensuring that more students have access to high-quality artistic experiences. This project will begin in September and continue until 2027.
