Fountain project amongst literacy DCAL supported schemes

A LITERACY partnership between the Fountain Youth Project and the Londonderry Playhouse that provided theatre training to 24 young people who had experienced issues linked to suicide was one of a number of projects Arts Minister Carol Ní Chuilín says her Department has used to encourage adult and child literacy.

She also cited a three year Arts & Literacy Project funded by the Department of Employment & Learning (DEL) and completed in March 2011 that targeted young people not in education or training and with literacy challenges, and prisoners aged over 19 in HMP Magilligan.

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) also provides annual funding, through NI Screen, for three Creative Learning Centres throughout Northern Ireland including the Nerve Centre in Londonderry.

“The Centres work closely with schools, teachers and the Education and Library Boards in providing support for the literacy agenda in schools. “This is achieved through the development of critical skills in digital storytelling, film-making and other creative digital technologies,” the Minister stated.

“This literacy support is complemented by film screenings and workshops offered to schools, young people and community groups as part of the annual Cinemagic Screen Festival for young people and the Foyle Film Festival Education Programme. Both Festivals are funded by DCAL through NI Screen.”