Carlow student hand the reins of Arts Council's Instagram account for World Children's Day

The Arts Council, in celebration of World Children’s Day on 20th November, showcased how high-quality arts experiences positively impact the health and wellbeing of young people in Ireland.

The Arts Council Instagram account was taken over by two young members of the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, as they talk about what participation in the arts means to them.

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Teenagers Rajiv Das from Waterford and Gabriela Kapusta from Carlow took followers through their day, as they talked about why music and being part of an artistic community is so important to them. The takeover will streamed from early morning on Wednesday, November 20th on Instagram @artscouncilireland.

The Arts Council’s other social media platforms (X, Facebook and LinkedIn) showcased additional child-led content. Director of the Arts Council Maureen Kennelly was interviewed by Joanne Hession and Jasper Quinlan, two young members of the youth panel of Baboró, the International Arts Festival for Children, while a further video offers a glimpse of the variety and scope of projects that have taken place this year with Arts Council support.

The Arts Council consistently works to ensure that the right of all children and young people to participate and express themselves freely in the arts and to have their say in the development of the arts is upheld. Research shows that this participation positively affects all aspects of children's lives, including education and personal wellbeing.

The Arts Council invests in the development of youth arts practices for young age-groups through funding and partnerships, continuing to support and encourage arts participation for the young people of Ireland.

Ag Fás Leis Na hEalaíona (Growing with the Arts), the Arts Council’s policy for children and young people, underlines both the importance of protecting the rights of the child to engage with the arts, and the necessity to provide a safe space to create.

The Creative Schools programme is now in one in every four schools in the country and in one in three special schools, with 187 new schools and Youthreach centres nationwide currently participating in the programme. This programme provides children with the opportunities to explore artistic skills and creative thinking; to communicate, collaborate, stimulate imaginations; to be inventive and harness curiosity.

Speaking ahead of World Children’s Day, Director of the Arts Council, Maureen Kennelly said: “At the Arts Council we are committed to ensuring the rights of children to access and participation in the arts are met. It is an essential part of childhood and it’s why on World Children’s Day we celebrate the voices of Ireland’s youth and the powerful role that artistic expression plays in enriching the lives of children across the country. A key strategic aim of ours is to ensure that funding is dedicated to schools and organisations throughout the country. They provide a safe and inviting space for children and young people, where they feel happy, confident and included, and where they can be creative as they develop their ideas and skills, inspired by new experiences and possibilities.”