Encountering the Arts in Ireland - 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Benson Report
The 40th anniversary celebration of the Benson report took place evening in the Seamus Heaney Lecture Theatre, DCU’s St Patrick’s Campus.
Organised by Encountering the Arts in Ireland (ETAI), in association with the Arts Council of Ireland and DCU Institute of Education, the event featured an opening address from President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and commemorated the work and achievements of Professor John Coolahan.
In introducing Professor Ciarán Benson’s lecture entitled ‘Time, Vocabulary and Art’s Thoughtful Uses of Feeling’ President Michael D. Higgins said:
“The Benson Report, as you all know, was a radical foundation document which examined the position of the arts in Irish education. It revealed what little sense of the role and function of arts and culture, within society or within education existed and it made over one hundred recommendations as to what steps should be taken to give the arts a proper role in the education of the Irish people.”
Professor Benson’s lecture was followed by a panel discussion chaired by Dr Mary Shine Thompson and included contributions from Professor Áine Hyland, Prof Emeritus UCC; Seóna Ní Bhriain, Head of Young People Children & Education, the Arts Council; Martin Drury, independent curator, director and strategic advisor.
Pictured: Professor Ciarán Benson; Professor Brian MacCraith; Orlaith McBride, director, Arts Council Ireland; Sabina Higgins; President Michael D. Higgins; Dr Jane O’Hanlon, Chair, ETAI