Two local artists receive special bursaries from the Arts Council

18/10/2007

Angela Ginn from South Belfast and Justine Glasgow from Holywood have each been awarded a special bursary from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to attend the acclaimed National University of Ireland, Certificate in Youth Arts .

This certificate is the first of its kind in Ireland and is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills they need to work with youth within the arts sector.

Angela is currently a freelance visual artist and has participated in a number of art residencies in schools, hospitals and communities across Northern Ireland. Justine has a vast amount of experience in youth arts through founding the Young Artist Group in 2003 and her ongoing project work with the Creative Youth Partnership.

Angela expresses what the bursary means to her, “I am delighted to be awarded this bursary. I have experience of delivering youth-based activities but the course will allow me to enhance and gain new skills in the principles and practical approaches to the youth arts sector. As a result, this will enrich my work in the community and other areas.”

Justine explains how this unique opportunity will help her to develop her career in the field of youth arts, “The Youth Arts certificate offers a diverse range of teaching techniques and I have no doubt that the course will compliment the creativity produced at my Young Artists Group classes. As a result, I expect to develop even more confidence in my long-term professional ability to inspire and stimulate my student’s imagination”.

Gavin O’Connor, Arts Development Officer for Youth Arts at the Arts Council comments on the benefits of gaining this valuable qualification, “The Arts Council offers committed support for the professional development of artists working in all areas of the arts. The awarded bursaries will allow both artists to achieve a recognised certificate in youth arts which will make an important and positive impact on their future careers”.