Milburn PS pupils receive first Arts Award Certificates in Northern Ireland

There are several levels of the nationally recognised award which is Arts Council approved and fifty seven young people in Milburn P4 have just completed Discover, the first Arts Award level, with flying colours. They were given their certificates at a special ceremony, with local arts organisation Oyster Press on hand to give them all a cheer. Oyster Press is one of only three recognised centres qualified to deliver the prestigious Arts Award Scheme in Northern Ireland and the young people of Milburn are the first ever children in Northern Ireland to take part in the Discover Art programme.

Oyster Press, a community arts company based in Portstewart, worked with the young people at the school, to get them through the Discover level.  “The arts and creative industries are important to our economy in the 21st Century,” explained P4 teacher, Karen Birch. “That’s why Milburn School have employed Oyster Press to deliver Arts Award, to give our young people a chance to have a really bright future.

“Arts Award inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents. The children have learned that art involves so much more than drawing a picture and they are keen to go on to the next level of Arts Award when they are a bit older.”

A spokesperson for Oyster Press said: “The Discover level of Arts Award is perfect for children in P4 and P5 and teaches them problem solving skills as well as opening their eyes to forms of art they may not have thought of before, such as architecture or graphic design. All the children who took part have created their own original art for an exhibition at the school and we are delighted to have been able to work with them on this exciting programme.”

 To find out more Arts Award go to www.artsaward.org.uk Oyster Press may be contacted on 0777 551 3582.