Schools
Branar sa Scoil
Branar is delighted to have been commissioned by Galway Culture Company to create two new arts engagement offerings for schools in Galway city and county spanning music, theatre, and visual arts. The first of these offerings is a multifaceted creative arts programme in four Galway DEIS schools, across a range of artforms. The participating schools were choosen from an open call in 2023.
This project is taking place throughout 2024 in Scoil Croí Íosa, Letterfrack National School, Gort National School, and Castlegar National School.
For the second element of Branar sa Scoil, Branar will provide copies of Rockin’ the Classroom, a music education programme in Irish and English for children in Junior and Senior infants, 1st and 2nd class free of charge to every school in Galway. This is a multi-platform education pack which includes videos a CD and workbook, that brings the music from Branar’s show Rockin’s Rhymes directly into the classroom. Schools can expect to receive their copy by post in early 2024.
The Digital Arts Flag
What is the Digital Arts flag?
This is a whole school initiative to promote and reward arts engagement in schools. Schools are chosen each year to engage in the initiative through a series of workshops presented online. Branar is proud to be partnering with Acorn Life Group to make this happen each year.
The Digital Arts Flag is now finished for the 2023/2024 school year, please keep an eye out for applications opening soon.
Digital Arts Flag
The Digital 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.
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
Steps to The Digital Arts Flag
Step 1. - Fill out the application form as a staff
Step 2. - Submit the form
Step 3 - Your application is reviewed by the Branar Team
Step 4 - If you are successful you will be given an access code that is specific to your school. You will have a two month window to view and complete the workshops.
Step 5 - Complete your chosen artistic response as a school to the artist’s workshops
Step 6 - Submit video, images or invite us to see the work on site
Step 7 - You will be awarded the digital flag to fly on your school website
Flag Program
This is a program of 10 workshops in 5 different art forms. There are senior and junior levels of each workshop.
The theme of this program is looking and seeing.
Explore music with Miquel Barceló
Explore visual arts with Maeve Clancy
Explore drama with Catherine Sheridan
Explore creative map making with Marc Mac Lochlainn
Explore making shoe box worlds with Sorcha Ní Chróinín
We invite you to use these beautifully made workshops films in the classroom and let the artist lead the work with your class. The artist’s have built in instructions on when to pause and what materials are needed, so the teachers are free to be active participants in the art making also.
Goals of the Digital Arts Flag
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
Apply for the Digital Arts Flag
Applications are now closed but keep an eye on our social media for future updates.
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.