Schools
Activities for Schools
Branar exists to create wonderful arts experiences for children so that they and their imaginations may thrive. Branar is committed to reaching its audience, wherever they are. This means that we are committed to offering high-quality arts and theatre experiences within the school setting in addition to our venue productions and digital work.
The Arts Flag
What is the arts flag?
This is a whole school initiative to promote and reward arts engagement in schools. Six schools are chosen each year to engage in the initiative which sees an artist-in-residence work with the students of the school for one full week. Branar is proud to be partnering with Acorn Life Group to make this happen each year.
Flag programme
The Arts Flag is intended to be a statement of achievement and intent with regard to the prominence and status of the arts in the school. It will be a visible beacon that indicates a commitment to the importance of participation in the arts for the students of the school, both within and outside their classrooms.
Reward existing excellence in arts activity in schools
Promote, foster and develop an appreciation of the place and role of the arts in schools, both within and beyond the curriculum
Generate and encourage mutually beneficial working relationships between schools and local artists
Help schools engage with arts organisations and venues in their locality
Expand and deepen the understanding of what arts activity might represent in schools
Enable the flag to be a motivational emblem that will encourage other schools and communities to participate in the flag scheme and in the arts in general
Steps to The Arts Flag
Step 1: Discuss arts flag proposal with teaching staff
Are your entire staff committed to partaking in the programme?
Do the dates work with your school calendar?
Step 2: Fill in Application
Take time to fill in the form. Don’t forget question 6 is a separate page!
Submissions can be sent via post or email.
Deadline for receipt of submissions is 5th April 16:00.
Step 3: Results
All schools will be notified by Friday 12th April via email.
Successful schools will be given their start date.
Step 4: Artistic Residency
Your assigned artist will spend one week in your school.
The schedule of the week will be confirmed with the school in advance.
Step 5: School Responses
Over 3 weeks the school will respond creatively to the work the artist has developed with your school.
In the past, students have responded by writing poetry in response to working with a visual artist. Others have developed a play through creative writing, following from themes explored through drama workshops.
Step 6: Exhibition and documentation of Responses
This could be an art exhibition, a short video…the possibilities are endless!
Step 7: The Presentation Day
Branar and Acorn representatives will visit your school to present you with an Arts Flag.
Students will discuss their projects and creative learning.
Download the application form
Download the brochure
The Digital Arts Flag
In response to the Covid-19 Pandemic Branar and Acorn Insurance have partnered to adapt The Arts Flag into a digital arts experience for classrooms across Ireland.
10 Bespoke workshops have been created by Branar Artists for junior and senior classes to do the comfort of their classrooms.
Each class will receive:
A link to the video workshops (5 for junior classes, 5 for senior classes)
An Educational Resource Pack to accompany each workshop
A printable Arts Flag to hang in your classroom.
Contact the team at Branar for more information and booking
Rockin’ the Classroom
Let’s Rock
In the absence of the opportunity for school children to experience live performances Branar, The Linenhall Arts Centre and The Lime Tree Theatre joined forces to deliver an exciting new music project for children in Junior & Senior Infants, 1st & 2nd Class. Rockin’ the Classroom is a multiplatform initiative that brings the music from Branar’s show Rockin’ Rhymes into classes.
Each class will recieve:
CD album
Dedicated education pack for teachers
Exclusive access to Rockin’ the Classroom videos
A Rockin’ Rhymes Poster
How to Rock
Rockin’ the Classroom offers children and teachers the opportunity to enjoy and explore the songs, discover the world of music and learn about music-making. The project hopes to inspire children to create their own rocking rhymes.
Thanks to the kind support of The Linenhall Arts Centre, The Lime Tree Theatre, Galway City Arts Office, Galway County Arts Office and the Arts Council of Ireland, each class pack is made available for free however payment of €7.50 per pack is required for P&P.We recommend one pack per class. Delivery time on orders is up to 7 working days.
Racáil sa Rang
Racáil sa Rang is a project which brings the music of Branar’s show Rockin’ Rhymes to life in classrooms across the country. We have added lively music and original beats to some of the best loved nursery rhymes performed by a brilliant 5-piece band.
We have added a new spin to some of the tunes and the words but not to worry you’ll recognise them.
Racáil sa Rang offers children and teachers the opportunity to enjoy and explore the songs, discover the world of music and learn about music-making. The project hopes to inspire children to create their own rock music and other creative projects inspired by this album.
Branar Drámaíóchta CGl is the sole rights owner of this music. Racáil sa Rang is commissioned by An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta.
Rácail sa Rang can be accessed free of charge below.
Contact
Shows & Workshops
Book a visit from Branar
Branar is committed to reaching its audience, wherever they are. This means that we are committed to offering high-quality arts and theatre experiences within the school setting, this includes shows and workshops.
Each year, Branar tours a current production to schools, transforming their school hall into another world and ensuring that schools in a wide range of areas and students of varied ages have access to our work. We provide school staff with educational resources packs, specifically designed to correspond with the national primary curriculum, as both a pre and post the school visit activity.
Branar has a number of workshops available both online and in-person, these workshops are suitable for a range of different ages and class abilities.
Contact us if you would like us to visit your school with a show or a workshop.