Arts Minister launches a new Lyric Education programme

Arts Minister Gregory Campbell today launched the Lyric Theatre’s new Off-site Education Programme to encourage young people’s participation in the arts.

The new programme comprises of four pilot projects covering primary, secondary and tertiary level institutions which will provide the basis for the implementation of a comprehensive education programme regionally.

Speaking at the launch in the Linenhall Library the Minister said: “The Lyric Theatre is one of Northern Ireland’s most important cultural assets. The launch of the four projects today starts the expansion of the Lyric’s outreach programme into the wider community. Young people will now have the opportunity to put on their own productions, step onto the stage for the first time and to realise their own skills and talents within their own communities.

“The four projects will provide many young people from primary school level through to tertiary level participating in this programme with the chance to experience the colourful world of the arts through theatre.

“I believe that the arts play an important role in all our lives, helping people to explore and challenge issues in different ways and these projects will do just that. I am very hopeful this programme can add to and develop the rich heritage we have in performance arts in Northern Ireland.”

Commenting on the creative industries the Minister continued: “This investment in the arts will also contribute to the economic and social regeneration of Northern Ireland. The creative industries as a whole, whether in theatre, film, craft, design, are an increasingly important sector for our economy.

“The Northern Ireland Executive has recognised this and last Friday I launched the Creative Industries Innovation Fund, a £5million fund, which will help Northern Ireland become a world class hub for the creative industries.”

Concluding the Minister said: “I hope that the Creative Industries Innovation Fund, and those who will benefit from this fund, will inspire the young taking part in this Off-site Education Programme to become future creative producers and providers of tomorrow.”

Adding her support, Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s said: “As the principal funder of the Lyric Theatre for decades, the Arts Council is pleased to allocate an additional £50,000 to this new and exciting education programme. It is great to see that the Lyric is moving forward, through touring productions and education, particularly since the theatre building is currently closed.

“We all recognise the importance of promoting creativity and cultural understanding through schools and by engaging with young people in non-formal settings. This programme will not only help the arts become a valued part of cultural development for those involved, but also expand the range of opportunities for young people to participate in and enjoy the arts.”

Mark Carruthers, Chairman, Lyric Theatre, commented: “Education is at the heart of the Lyric Theatre’s work and will form a key element of our new theatre’s operations. We are passionate about developing performance arts with young people and as the only producing theatre we are very excited to be bringing these initiatives to schools and colleges across Northern Ireland.

“The Lyric has a very large part to play in enriching young people’s knowledge and understanding through the experience of live theatre and we very much look forward to receiving feedback from all those participating in the projects.”

Notes to Editors:

The Four Projects

1. The projects include a new play, The Boat Factory, written by the talented actor and writer Dan Gordon. Fittingly, Dan is one of the Lyric’s alumni having graduated from the Lyric Drama Studio. Through this project young people will have an opportunity to learn about the various elements of theatre production. This will provide a very stimulating framework through which participating schools can deliver aspects of the curriculum.
2. The further Project, The Home Place, will provide an opportunity for post primary school students to examine Brian Friel’s latest play, which will be co-produced by the Lyric Theatre and An Grianan (Greenen) Theatre, Letterkenny, in February 2009. This project will enable students to bridge the gap between drama in schools and the world of professional theatre.
3. A third Project will re-launch the Lyric Drama Studio. It involves local and visiting theatre talent, an intense rehearsal period at Easter 2009 culminating in a final public performance. 15 successful participants will be equipped with the skills required to fulfil their ambitions.
4. Be My Baby, is the fourth element of the programme and will see the Lyric Theatre tour to secondary schools around Northern Ireland next January .
5. My Department has provided funding of £9.23million towards the rebuilding of the new Lyric Theatre and the Arts Council has provided £2.25million.
6. The Creative Industries Innovation Fund will assist creative sectors including advertising, architecture and design consultancies; film and television companies, computer and video games development, music labels and book and magazine publishers; theatre, opera and dance companies and live music promoters; and craft-makers, visual artists and designer-makers.
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