41st Annual Schools’ Arts Competition
June 21, 2024
ISLAND Arts Centre celebrates a very successful 41st Annual Schools’ Arts Competition
The creative talent of local school pupils from across the Lisburn and Castlereagh area has been recognised at the 41st Annual Schools’ Arts Competition on Thursday 20 June at Lagan Valley Island.
Since September of 2023, schools within the Lisburn and Castlereagh council area have been busy submitting entries into this year’s competition.
An abundance of impressive work to has been received across the categories of Poetry, Short Story, Drama Performance, Musical Performance and Visual Art.
The ISLAND Arts Centre received hundreds of entries. The standard was extremely high across the entire competition and those placed first, second and third across all categories, were honoured at a Gala Awards Ceremony at the council headquarters.
Young people from a variety of Lisburn and Castlereagh schools attended the celebratory ceremony to accept their awards and it was a very joyous afternoon full of pride from all those who attended. There were some very special performances on the day from winners of the Short Story, Poetry and Musical Performances categories.
The Gala Awards Ceremony was one of the first events attended by new Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Kurtis Dickson and the new Vice-Chair of Communities and Wellbeing, Alderman Hazel Legge who both presented the winners’ award certificates.
Speaking of the event, Mayor Dickson said, “The Annual Schools’ Arts Competition is a longstanding and important feature of our Arts Service. It gives local schoolchildren the opportunity to explore and showcase their many creative talents. The quality of every submission across the categories was incredible and I would like to thank every single person who entered the competition. From all of today’s performances and the exhibition on display in the ISLAND Community Arts Walkways, the amount of artistic ability from our schools is clear to see. Well done to all involved!”
Alderman Legge added “It is clear from another brilliant year of the Annual Schools’ Arts Competition, that there will be a bright and creative future ahead for many of our local young people. Their talent is inspiring and I am delighted our Arts Service is able to host and nurture this. It is the perfect start to a creative summer at ISLAND Arts Centre, just ahead of the ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ Summer Arts Festival from 29th July to 16th August. There are still a few spaces remaining on week 3 so I recommend securing a place for your young person quickly! I cannot wait to see the creativity of local residents continue over the summer months.”
The Schools’ Arts Competition exhibition of winning entries will be on display in the Community Arts Walkway at ISLAND Arts Centre from Thursday 20th June until 25th July.