The National Disability Authority has extended the deadline for entries to its 'Someone Like Me' primary schools' art competition to Friday December 18, allowing pupils an additional two weeks to put the finishing touches to their creative projects celebrating the things that unite children of all abilities.
The prestigious national art competition, which is now in its fifth year, is organised by the National Disability Authority as a way of fostering more positive attitudes towards people with disabilities by highlighting the similarities that exist between all people.
This year’s competition invites Ireland’s more than 500,000 pupils attending some 3,000 mainstream and special primary schools to take part in what has become a national creative celebration of the things that unite children of all abilities. It offers a range of prizes up to the value of €750 for one junior and one senior category winner in every county and is open to all primary school pupils from junior infants to sixth class.
Winners will also be invited to attend a virtual national prize giving ceremony which will be streamed on the Someone Like Me website, www.someonelikemecompetition.ie, in January 2021.
Encouraging pupils to take part, Minister of State with special responsibility for disability, Anne Rabbitte, said entries are welcome from individual pupils, a class pod, or even a whole school as a socially-distanced combined effort.
“This is an important opportunity to learn about disability by focusing on ability, nurturing positive attitudes at a very early age, helping to ensure that everyone feels a valued member of society now and for generations to come,” Minister Rabbitte said.
“Entries can come in all shapes and sizes and can be anything from a poster or collage to a papier-mâché or mixed-media sculpture. We have already received an exceptional number of incredibly creative entries from pupils who have worked on their projects both in the classroom and at home.
“I would like to wish everyone who is entering this year’s competition the very best of luck and I look forward to announcing the county winners and overall winner in due course.”
There will be a junior and senior category winner in every county, along with an overall national winner. The extended deadline for entries is Friday December 18.
More information is available at www.someonelikemecompetition.ie
