Kilkenny County Council Arts Office is committed to ensuring that all children have access to high-quality arts experiences as part of their education. In support of this, the Arts Office offers a School Bus Subsidy to assist primary schools in attending professional theatre productions by Barnstorm Theatre Company. This initiative helps reduce the financial burden on schools and families, particularly those in rural areas, by contributing towards transport costs. A subsidy is provided on a per-child basis for schools that book to attend Barnstorm’s annual production, staged in venues such as the Watergate Theatre. These productions are carefully created for young audiences, addressing themes and ideas that resonate with children while encouraging imagination, empathy and engagement with the arts.
By supporting both access for schools and the work of Barnstorm Theatre Company, this scheme reflects a commitment to nurturing young audiences and recognising the importance of theatre in a child’s creative and educational development. It also highlights the value placed on giving children the opportunity to experience live performance and storytelling in a professional setting. The School Bus Subsidy plays an important role in making arts experiences more accessible, inclusive and enriching for primary school pupils across Kilkenny.