New Visions is a 3 year programme generously funded by the Freeland’s Foundation, in which Cullybackey College, together with 5 other art departments across Northern Ireland are working with The MAC gallery in Belfast on a project designed to cultivate an exchange between teachers and artists to demonstrate the value of art education in schools.
The opportunity to engage with the Arts first hand can never be underestimated and our pupils have gained so much from this experience. We look forward to seeing how this project will grow and all opportunities it will bring with it.
MAC School’s in Residence: During the 2024-25 school year approximately 80 of our students across Y10, Y11, Y13 and Y14 visited The MAC to view the exhibition ‘I See His Blood Upon The Rose’, a first visit to the gallery for the majority of the group. In taking learning beyond the classroom, our pupils met with gallery staff, explored the exhibition and created a range of personal responses to record the day. The funding received provided students with free transport and a beautiful lunch, as well providing quality art materials to work with.
MAC Artist-Teacher Fellowship: As the Artist-Teacher, Mrs Andrews has continued to engage with professional development opportunities, enhancing her own creative practice as well as bringing new ideas back to school to be shared with both staff and pupils. Throughout this year she has attend a number of workshops and courses with a focus on drawing, painting and printmaking through a number of venues including Seacourt Print Workshop and The Crescent Arts Centre together availing of studio days at The MAC.
MAC School Satellites: Each school within the project has been assigned an artist who will visit throughout the year to work with our pupils. This aspect of the project will see more activity in years two and three and we look forward to giving our pupils the opportunity to work alongside an artist in the classroom. Y8 pupils engaged in an outdoor drawing workshop this term, working with an artist and bringing to life the working practices of the artist Monet who they were exploring within the classroom. In bringing learning beyond the confines of the classroom the pupils enjoyed the many therapeutic benefits of being outdoors and enjoying nature.
Symposium: On Saturday 1st March the MAC hosted a thought provoking symposium that brought together artists, teachers, educators and thinkers to explore the future of arts education in Northern Ireland. Mrs Andrews together with other 5 artist-teachers (Newry High School, Hazelwood Integrated College, St Conor’s College, St Benedict’s College and St Louise’s Comprehensive) formed the artist-teacher panel discussion chaired by Dr. Chrissie Tyler. Fellow Art Department staff, Mrs Slack and Miss Gallagher, attended the event and together we will review the outcomes of the day and take ideas from it to implement within our classroom practice.
