Six schools selected for Your Gallery at School programme at National Gallery of Ireland

The National Gallery of Ireland is delighted to announce that six schools in Wexford, Tipperary, Waterford, Louth, Galway and Cork respectively have been selected to participate in Your Gallery at School 2022. Following a successful programme in 2021, the Gallery will bring art to classrooms across the country once again this year, thanks to continued support from global aircraft leasing company SMBC Aviation Capital.

The schools taking part in this year’s programme are Enniscorthy Community College, Co. Wexford, St. Colmcille's Primary School, Templemore (Co. Tipperary), Mount Sion CBS Secondary School, (Waterford City), St. Brigid's and St Patrick's National School, Drogheda (Co. Louth), Scoil Náisiúnta Leitir Mealláin, (Co. Galway) and St Paul's Special School, (Cork). 

This year, the Gallery will pair the six schools with lead artists to plan a package of workshops appropriate to students’ age and level, emphasising the importance of art education, creativity and innovation. Round 2 applications will be accepted 29 August–15 September 2022 (workshops take place November 2022–June 2023).

Sean Rainbird, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, commented: “We’re thrilled that Your Gallery at School will return this year. Without the renewed support of SMBC Aviation Capital, this wonderful project would not be possible. Our hope is that this opportunity to learn through art will encourage creativity and curiosity amongst our participants in the future.”

Your Gallery at School began in January 2021, running workshops, sensory sessions and a Creative Careers programme, where students had the opportunity to learn about a variety of arts careers. These workshops ran in primary schools in Dublin, Sligo and Donegal and post-primary schools in Limerick, Clare and Kildare.

Media contacts:

• Ciara Mooney, National Gallery of Ireland, E: [email protected]
• Conor Irwin, SMBC Aviation Capital, Mobile: +353 87 3816106

Notes to Editor:

• Images are available on request. 
• Catherine O’Donnell (Education Officer, National Gallery of Ireland) is available for interview. 

About the National Gallery of Ireland:

The National Gallery of Ireland is one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions housing the nation’s collection of European and Irish art from about 1300 to the present day, and an extensive Library & Archive. Entry to the collection is free for all to enjoy, learn and be inspired. Find out more at www.nationalgallery.ie

About SMBC Aviation Capital:

Based in the IFSC in Dublin, Ireland, SMBC Aviation Capital is one of the world’s leading aircraft operating lease companies. In operation since 2001, SMBC Aviation Capital has an owned and managed fleet, comprising 720 owned, managed and committed aircraft.  Established in 2001, the company was acquired in 2012 by a consortium comprising of two of Japan’s biggest companies SMFG and Sumitomo Corporation. SMBC Aviation Capital has a dedicated Corporate Social and Responsibility programme.  For further information go to https://www.smbc.aero/